Author Topic: Is this term an ethnic slur; offensive terms for a person of Mexican descent? (Read 1670 times)

NUKE · « **Reply #45 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:43:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Martlet

It isn't the word or a definition that makes it insulting, it's usage.

If you call a Mexican-American a wetback, that is a racial slur.

If you call a Mexican in the US illegally a wetback, that is an accurate description.

How would it be an accurate description based on your definition of the term? Would'nt that person have had to cross the Rio Grande into Texas to be accuratley be called a wetback?

So if you have a roomfull of illegals from Mexico that crossed the desert into Arizona, what would they be called?

Martlet, the point you don't understand is that people use the term wetback VERY generally to apply to Mexicans regardless of weather or not they even have the slightest idea if they are here legally or not. It is a slur based on race.

I never have seen a person use that term to describe an Hispanic only after researching and confirming that the person is here illegally and swam across a river to get here.

Lets think of some names to call every "type" of Illegal sneaking into the US..... oh wait, we do have a term...... it's called "illegal alien"

Airhead · « **Reply #46 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:46:18 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
LOL! Oh PUL_LEASE!

I know of several Mexican Americans that play AH. I wanted THEIR feedback. But in typcial California Cracker defense you're here defending someone who hates Bush along with you and that is why you're here, racial slurs and all.

As mentioned in a previous post up above, if you can't see its a racial slur, then I feel sorry for ya, Archie Bunker.

I hope you're attending the con, and I pray a Mexican American comes up to ya and pops you back to reality.

Rip, I never said it wasn't insulting to call someone a "wetback." What I said was in response to you comparing the term "wetback" to "Jap." You stated you saw no difference, I pointed out that "Jap" or the "N" word is a derogatory reference to ones' race, whereas "wetback" is a reference to ones' immigration status, which can, and often does, change. An Asian American will alwys be an Asian American. See the difference?

Easymo's usage of the term, in the context it was presented in that thread, was not racist- admittedly, it was disparging, and is a term I wouldn't feel comfortable using, but reading that Thread I didn't see racism at all and I'm surprised you did.

Martlet · « **Reply #47 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:53:02 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by NUKE
How would it be an accurate description based on your definition of the term? Would'nt that person have had to cross the Rio Grande into Texas to be accuratley be called a wetback?

So if you have a roomfull of illegals from Mexico that crossed the desert into Arizona, what would they be called?

Martlet, the point you don't understand is that people use the term wetback VERY generally to apply to Mexicans regardless of weather or not they even have the slightest idea if they are here legally or not. It is a slur based on race.

I never have seen a person use that term to describe an Hispanic only after researching and confirming that the person is here illegally and swam across a river to get here.

Lets think of some names to call every "type" of Illegal sneaking into the US..... oh wait, we do have a term...... it's called "illegal alien"

No, you wouldn't have to see how they crossed. The term is now accepted as applicable to all Mexican illegal aliens. Who cares if it's a slur based on their race. They are here illegally. If they don't like it, they can go home.

lazs2 · « **Reply #48 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:13:13 AM »

Ok... I asked my girlfriend... she said that when she sees rip she is gonna beat the crap outta him.

Guess I better get a chink girlfriend for places I might run into rip.
lazs

Airhead · « **Reply #49 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:59:31 AM »

"I hope you're attending the con, and I pray a Mexican American comes up to ya and pops you back to reality."

Never mind, responding to threats is just as lame as making threats.

Sorry I dropped in, it's back to AGW for me. Have fun, children.

Udie · « **Reply #50 on:** October 17, 2003, 12:24:24 PM »

anybody who thinks wetback is a racist term needs to live in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California for a few years. It CAN be used as a racist term, but that was more before the invasion began in ernest.

Dune · « **Reply #51 on:** October 17, 2003, 03:24:25 PM »

Quote

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

And which slaughter would that be?

Eagler · « **Reply #52 on:** October 17, 2003, 04:30:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dune
And which slaughter would that be?

Sand Creek Massacre

read about his views in Flyboys (page 10)

you can read it yourself HERE

scroll to pages 10 and 11

Twist · « **Reply #53 on:** October 18, 2003, 12:52:41 AM »

Hey Rip, I just posed your question to my brother in law who happens to have the last name of 'Rodriguez'. His answer was simple, if you call someone a wetback and he kicks your *** it was a slur, if he does not or shoots you the bird, then he must be a very good friend.

I hope this helps.

aknimitz · « **Reply #54 on:** October 18, 2003, 08:49:23 AM »

Rip, funny you should ask. I posed this same question to my wife several months back. My wife is mexican-american. As you know we are both attorneys. She grew up in south Texas, along the border. Her brother in law works for the Border Patrol in Laredo.

My wife insists that the term is a racial slur and derrogatory, regardless of how it is used. Perhaps it is because she is a professional. I can tell you that I've heard her (a mexican citizen) use the term before, but then again he also uses the ni**er word too.

Nim

drone · « **Reply #55 on:** October 18, 2003, 10:32:37 AM »

The term was used by the US Government to name a report being made by INS about illegal alien borders crossings from mexico---the name of the report was "Operation wetback". It defined the estimated amounts of illegals entering the country at the time and outlined a plan to "Combat" the problem. The report was written in the early 80's. After it was pointed out to the reports writers(several years later) that the term "wetback" was considered "rascist" and demeaning the writers issued an apology.

You know what? Its like all the other terms for putting down someone for their ethnic backgrounds. The term redneck, whitebread, whitey, gringo and several others are the same as ******, spic, wop, kike and so on, but you dont hear screaming about a caucasion being called a redneck.........

If You cant guess the word that was stared out above it was the N-word and points out that some slurs are more equal than others....So get a grip people, or star out the word redneck and wetback because it is as much a slur as the N-word

Eagler · « **Reply #56 on:** October 18, 2003, 11:54:52 AM »

the redneck usually thinks it's a compliment

drone · « **Reply #57 on:** October 18, 2003, 12:05:34 PM »

lol some do -----and then when I hear a black call another black a N***** they take as one also --more so among the rap/hip-hop group