Political DiscussionA place to hold political debates and general discussion. Please remember to always respect the opinions of other members and above all else, be civil.
In Puerto Rico we would say, "deja de ser tan acomplejado." Do you people have an inferiority complex? Because that's what it sounds like. [whine]You need to speak my language; I don't understand what you say so you must be talking about me. [/whine] Geez, do you want any cheese with that whine?
I live on the border of Texas and Mexico. Hell I can walk outside of my office and see the Rio Grande that seperates the US and Mexico. I am an American Mexican (in that order), and I cannot stand when people come across the border and expect me to speak to them in spanish. Yes I understand and speak spanish, but the way I see it, if you are here in my country, learn my language. Now I know there is the whole "America doesn't have a national language" issue, but when the majority of the country speaks English, that sure as hell is our damn language. It irritates me to no end that we have people coming across that demand that everything be handed to them on a silver platter, wanting government help, but refuse to register their cars in the US, fly the Mexican flag above the US flag, and refuse to learn English.
I go to Wal-Mart and if I need help finding something I need to ask a great deal of the clerks in spanish. Hell half the people I work with do not speak English. I am not racist nor do I concider people from across the border sub-human, but common curtosy(sp) states that when in rome do as... If I go somewhere else, I try my damnedest to speak to them in their language. It may be the worst they have ever heard their native tounge being spoken, but at least I try. These people won't even do that much.
Sorry for the rambling novel, it just irritates me when everyone is quick to say that it's racist, offensive, or politically incorrect, when most people aren't living the situation...
Its funny but i wouldn't wear it because of the way it says it, and thats what makes it bad. I also have hispanic blood in me but i do get offended sometimes when i go to McDonalds or a fast food place and they ask to take your order in spanish, and then you talk to them in English and they answer back in spanish. Thats what gets me pissed off.
Its funny. But that shirt is like any bumper sticker. It screams tacky. I think the shirt sucks because its a 2 dollar wad of cotton with an iron on. Other than that I just make sure I stay away from non whites and i tend to not run in to the problem.
I'm Canadian we like everyone! At least on the West Coast. We are a pretty tolerant society. But like everywhere else things are heating up here as well. If you were to speak to an individual from anywhere all they really want is a safe place to live and an opportunity to live better, contibute and make a life for their kids that is better than theirs. Its when you get us together in groups that all the BS about politics, race, religion and whatnot come up. Usually led by a few a$$holes that have a modicum of charisma and an agenda that suits them.
I also live near the US-Mexico border (not that near, about a 2 hr drive), and everytime I go to the states I find it really confusing to know what to speak. If I speak in english, most of the time people have no idea I also speak spanish, but if I speak spanish, then the whole conversation changes into my language.
The shirt does not offend ME, it should be more offensive to the wearer. It illustrates how close-minded, uneducated, and disrespectful he is. Let's put it this way, it is merely a matter of education on how to treat a guest.
Try to see it from my point of view: in my city, there are a great number of american, canadian, japanese, and other immigrants. When I go and play hockey, all of the canadian and american people I see are speaking in english. I speak to them in english. When I go outside my house and see my japanese neighbors, I speak to them in japanese (i suck though). At my university, a great deal of people speak english, I speak to them in english also. A few months ago, a friend's cousin came with his band to do a show in a local bar and to visit the city. 4 out of the 5 people in the band only spoke english. My friends and I spoke to them in english ALL the time. It is just a matter of having hospitality. Unless you see these people as a nuisance or a menace, and that is totally another thing.
Well, if these people are LIVING in Mexico then , yes, they need to learn Spanish. I mean, I understand what you are trying to say, I just don't happen to agree with it. I don't really see it as a lack of hospitality on our part. I still don't understand why in Virginia, in order to get what is known as an "Advanced" Diploma, you have to take, and pass, 3 years of foreign lanuage classes. I do not think that it is fair to force that upon ANYONE...
Well, if these people are LIVING in Mexico then , yes, they need to learn Spanish. I mean, I understand what you are trying to say, I just don't happen to agree with it.
He wasn't saying that we need to learn Spanish, just that if you know a common language to the group you're in then you speak in it (as it is more comfortable for everyone). You don't like it when people speak Italian in your group, right? They have the curtessy of speaking English around you because you don't understand their language.
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I still don't understand why in Virginia, in order to get what is known as an "Advanced" Diploma, you have to take, and pass, 3 years of foreign lanuage classes. I do not think that it is fair to force that upon ANYONE...
Nobody forces you to get an "advanced" diploma. You can get a regular one. It is advanced because you learn more than those who choose not to get instructed in a foreign language. Why are you so against learning? Learning is a good thing. It is advantageous to us, as individuals and as a country, to be fluid in more than one language. I hate to break it to you, but we, as a nation, will not be on top of the world much longer. The E.U. and the Asian-Pacific rim (China, to include Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, et al) will surpass us both in GDP and in economic influence in the next 10-15 years. Might I suggest you learn German, French, or Mandarin?
