Discrimination Stereotypes for Mexicans

Jessica Alvarado

October 12, 15

English 1301-143

Lazo

Discrimination Stereotypes of Mexicans

Two years ago, I moved to Plymouth, England to study a yearlong international program. I remember I felt on cloud nine because I was going to be able to meet people from all over the world. The house I arrived to had 5 people already living there. There were four English persons and a Chinese boy. To be honest, I didn’t get to see them very often, because we all had super crazy schedules and were busy as bees.

 I remember very well this one time when the opportunity knocked on the door and we all were reunited in the living room, talking about many things; and abruptly Ben asked me: “-is it true that Mexicans eat tacos everyday and wear boots and hats all the time?” In the heat of the moment, I found it discriminative and funny at the same time, suddenly I started to laugh because he was not playing with a full deck. Every stray thought from miles around came wandering into my brain, sniffing about, scratching at my attention. But I breathed deep and I said to him: “-No, Ben! It is not true! Not at all! What you just said are just stereotypes about us. Actually, we Mexicans are far cry from what many nations hear on the grapevine”

It was not a cup of tea to explain him all I wanted him to know about my country, but I had to try. Then I said: “- Truly in Mexico we have a zillion kinds of foods, probably you did not know, but Mexico is enormous, it has thirty-one states and each one diverges; let me go upstairs for my laptop so I can show you a couple things”. Quick as a flash, I went to my room and took my computer. I opened my browser, and started to show all of them a couple Mexican food videos and photos I found. They looked fascinated with what they were seeing. I kept browsing online to demonstrate them as well how some Mexican cities are very contemporary, and a couple of them are still very traditional that people from those kind of places still wear typical clothing. I believe all that went right trough them as if the photos were gamma rays. They were shocked!