Quote:
Originally posted by Mael
Eleq, it's great that you are proud of your mexican heritage, but unless you were born in Mexico, you really aren't mexican. Mexican describes nationality, so unless you have dual citizenship, you aren't. If that's what you prefer to be called, then that's what i and most other people would call you. But isn't hispanic just as descriptive about being a part of the hispanic culture (although i guess it does include coutries of origin other than mexico). but anyways, having a "blank"-american status doesn't make you whatever "blank" is. it sets you apart as another group, and as a "diet american, not quite american enough," as though to be fully american means being white. and not having mexican infront of american doesn't mean that you can't celebrate, honor and be proud of your family's heritage.
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Well last time I looked, I didn't find the country of "Hispania" on the map. Calling myself "hispanic" is an generic and as (sarc)useful(/sarc) as being called "black".
Calling myself "Mexican-American" does not make me a "diet" American. Where do you hear this stuff? And further, why do you believe it? Is this something you just made up or did you hear it on talk radio? I don't consider myself "Diet" American. That is the most insulting thing I've heard today.
My grandfather served in WWII, my great-grandfather in WWI. I have two uncles that went to Korea, and another to Vietnam. I myself tried to join the Navy, but my knee injury prevented it. I donated thousands to the 9/11 funds. I buy fireworks on the 4th of July, and better damn believe I eat turkey on Thanksgiving. But I'm "Diet" American because some white people don't like my hyphen, or want to interpret it in their own cute little way?
I would dread ridding the hyphenation because it provides a means of tracking other "mexicans" and their progress in American society. The data is darn useful, whether you like it or not. The data serves more purposes than being fodder for the troublemakers. Everybody is so anxious to rid ourselves of this hyphen, but taking no time to consider the consequences.
Personally, I believe until you've been denied jobs, been harassed by the police or a teacher, or have had a your date's father slam the door in your face because of your color, you have little say in the matter. Imagine, "sir please open the door, I no longer have a hyphen!". "Well in that case come on in, you strapping American!"
Deleting my heritage off a piece of a paper is an absurd suggestion toward solving our racial problems. I mean, is that supposed to increase national pride or something? That isn't going to do anything. It's another incredibly simplistic suggestion to a complex centuries-old problem, and frankly I find it rather insulting. Could the level of effort POSSIBILY be any lower?
Further, the suggestion is supressive, not supportive.