Is this term an ethnic slur; offensive terms for a person of Mexican descent?

[NUKE]

Originally posted by Gadfly
I do call wetbacks, wetbacks in front of and to other Hispanics, and I haven't had a fight over it yet.  And I deal with hispanics all day long, socially and on the job.

What you do not realize, Ripper, is that in this area, at least, the Hispanics, the American Hispanics, do not appreciate the wetbacks anymore than Easymo or I do.

Hey Gadfly, can you define "wetback" ( or what your definition is) for me so I can know what you are refering to? Then after you define it, I'm pretty sure I will be able to verbally rip your argument to shreds.

[Gadfly]

Sure:  Wetback is someone who crosses the southern border illegally.

[NUKE]

Why is an someone who crosses only the southern border illegally called a wetback? How do you identify them? do you perform background checks? Do these people have any physical traits that help you identify them?

What do you call people that enter the US illegally from the East or North or West?

[DiabloTX]

Hey Nuke, save your energy for my FW-190!

[NUKE]

lol , your FW is gonna be awesome!

[Dune]

ORIGIN

Refers to the practice of wading or swimming the Rio Grande, which forms the border between Texas and Mexico. This term, which dates from c. 1929, originally referred to illegal immigrants but has often been used in reference to legal immigrants or citizens of Latino origin.

[NUKE]

Gadfly did you go to bed?

[NUKE]

Originally posted by Dune
ORIGIN

Refers to the practice of wading or swimming the Rio Grande, which forms the border between Texas and Mexico. This term, which dates from c. 1929, originally referred to illegal immigrants but has often been used in reference to legal immigrants or citizens of Latino origin.

So in other words, unless you researched where an illegal crossed the border, and by what means, you would never be able to identify a "wetback"

[Martlet]

Originally posted by NUKE
So in other words, unless you researched where an illegal crossed the border, and by what means, you would never be able to identify a "wetback"

That is where it "originated".  I'm pretty sure you can define "originated" on your own.  

The word is now used as a synonym for illegal alien, generally from Mexico.

If you want to use it as an insult, then call any Mexican a wetback.  It's liable to get you punched in the face, though.

Even used properly, the term wetback is derogatory.  Not many people complain about an insulted illegal alien, though.

[NUKE]

Originally posted by Martlet
That is where it "originated".  I'm pretty sure you can define "originated" on your own.  

The word is now used as a synonym for illegal alien, generally from Mexico.

If you want to use it as an insult, then call any Mexican a wetback.  It's liable to get you punched in the face, though.

Even used properly, the term wetback is derogatory.  Not many people complain about an insulted illegal alien, though.

I can define "originated" but can you define or identify a "wetback" ?? The question isn't the origin of the term, it is the question of it being racist. I can tell you where the Nazis origins are. They had "terms" for people too, but that doesnt make it okay

Im from Arizona ( Born in Long Beach CA) and I'm a white guy....I know how the term is used and I see it used as a racial slur and it's only directed at Hispanics.....and in broad terms.

I'm going to bed. My IQ doesn't mix well with the lower IQ's at this hour.

[Holden McGroin]

Is a Canadian who swims the St. Lawrence a wetback? If so, it is not a racial slur.

[rpm]

Calling a Latino a Wetback is no more offensive a term than calling an African-American a N*****. To test this theory we use the "Die Hard 3" protocol. We put Rip in a sandwich sign that says "I hate Wetbacks" and drop him off on the corner of the busiest Latino area in town and drop back a respectable 10 blocks to monitor the response. It usually take less than 15 minutes to get accurate results.

[Montezuma]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
I'd particularly like to hear from our Spanish or Mexican American community.  We have a quite a few here.

Not me.  My handle is the un-PC San Diego State mascot.

Personally, I think it is an ethnic slur, and offensive.And, I believe anyone that uses that term is racist..but thats just me....

Wow, tough call you made there.

[Eagler]

Originally posted by Dune

Dune
Did teddy give this love speach right after he praised the latest slaughter of those redskin savages out west or before?

[lazs2]

rip... I could say it to most mexicans...  You saying it from the seat of your bmw through the rolled down window probly wouldn't go over too well.    

sortal like a lot of bald people don't like to hear... "hey Q ball"
lazs