Them Mexicans

I was at work today and for the second time in my experience here at my job, "them Mexicans" was used in a derogatory manner by two people that I know are conscious, concerned and connected enough to know better. For the record, "them Mexicans" is no different than "them black people" or "them gay people" - especially when followed with a derogatory statement or fueled by a source of anger/frustration about a particular situation.

I explain what I learned in Racism 101 (not that I needed this course - thanks Mom) because somehow, two people that I care about don't get this, didn't get it to understand that "them Mexicans" shouldn't be used at least not around me, and maybe not at all if you don't consider yourself superior or above other groups of people, races and/or nationalities. For me, it's offensive.

"Them Mexicans" was thrown around carelessly, freely as if "them Mexicans" are now the allowed elitism among us, as if Mexicans are now lower on the heirarchy of priveledge until they have their revolution, their equality movement in America. When it becomes politically incorrect to speak "them Mexicans" into public spaces like the "N Word," people like me who are offended by "them Mexicans" will be challenged on how best to address the offense.

If it were someone I didn't care about or someone that I had no idea how they felt about racism oppressive to blacks or homophobia oppressive to LGBT people, it would be an easy call on how to handle it. But these again are friends of mine who know better, one friend is black, one friend is gay and white. They at least know better when it comes to our own oppression. Can we not used that same understanding for "them Mexicans?"

And I'm troubled at not having the courage to say something as the conversation unfolded. Why should I have to even sit with any discomfort? ...contemplating how to address this with a friend. I'm not the one who said it so why should I have this burden?

"Them Mexicans" is offensive and leaps me to wonder, what else you may say, even if its only behind closed doors. How else might you see yourself superior or seperate yourself from other humans? And if its not your intent to offend, "them Mexicans" will be removed from your vocabulary as "Nigger" and "faggot" has been (at least in public) by so many others.