Was this racist of me?

Question

Okay. A few months ago, I took a greyhound from Laredo to San Antonio. I was the only white passenger in a bus full of Mexicans. While on the bus, I was also on the phone with a friend. During the course of our conversation, he asked me what I was doing and I said "riding the bus with my favorite kind of people." I didn't think anything of it. Well, then suddenly I noticed this Mexican kid turning around and looking at me a few times, but I still wasn't thinking anything of it. Just trying to mind my own business. Then out of nowhere, he turns around and decks me in the face. His sister who was sitting next to me, gets up and starts screaming at him at the top of her lungs. Then she apologizes to me saying he thought I was talking bad about Mexicans. It left me irritated more than anything.

So fast forward to today. I get into a heated argument with my cousin over it. She works at a beauty salon and I went there a few weeks ago to get my hair done by her. While we were talking, I told her about the Mexican on the bus and she says "Don't talk about Mexicans "like that." I got mad and yelled "What's so wrong about saying MEXICAN." And I elaborated on my experience and why I don't think I was in the wrong. Apparently I offended her co-workers (who were also Mexican) and according to her, I showed disrespect in her workplace. Then she has the nerve to ask me what entitlement do I have to say things like that, and that I'm a fool and I need therapy. She won't talk to me anymore.  

My question is, why is calling Mexicans "Mexican" so offensive?  Are people REALLY THAT IGNORANT?

Luke · Accepted Answer

Its not offensive. 

This is the classic case of "INVENTING A SOCIAL PROBLEM," or "socially constructing" a problem to exploit one group (like yourself -A WHITE MALE) -as-being-"racist." This is what your cousin did, she probably didn't realize that she was doing it. I recommend you tell her what I said to you just now.  Maybe she will snap out of her twisted perception-maybe not.  

For example race exists, and is a biological fact, "racism" is a socially constructed term, to exploit race. Its an "ism," just like Commun-ism. 

The Mexican kid was not being racist. You were not being racist either.  The term racist is so broad.  But to me its basic.  My personal definition is this: One group that DELIBERATLY tries to weaken another group by ANY means, in which it will promote and benefit their own group-in terms of racial composition. 


By the way, the word "racist" was invented by Leon Trotsky in his 1917 journal, "Red Terror."

Josh David · Answer

Well, I don't see anything wrong with it.. Maybe it's the way you highlighted that they were Mexican.. I mean people are very sensitive nowadays.. Just be a little bit more careful I guess..

Merlin · Answer

From my point of view, you could've be more careful of what you say in public. Even if you have no intention of creating a racial remark (being a racist), it's still a sensitive thing to say. If I were to put myself in that persons shoe, I be like WTF is this person trying to say?

Yeah it's still f*cked up that you got decked in the face. The kid obviously had no self control and should've approached you verbally on what you said.

Anonymous · Answer

Saying,  "riding the bus with my favorite kind of people." may have been perceived as sarcastic/racist. Just be more careful even though you are innocent.

? · Answer

"riding the bus with my favorite kind of people." = You don't see all people as equal = discrimination.

I don't see anything wrong with what you said.But,I think it would be good to follow what the society follows in such matters.

Su-Nami · Answer

I think that THE WAY THAT YOU SAID  Mexicans was not really nice.

Was this racist of me?

6 Answers