Latinos...moving to your neighborhood as well as on your message board

[4323Lopez]

Hi, I'm new on here and have been reading and posting a little. I like what I have read so far. This message board seems fun, funky and somewhat intelligent entertainment. I look forward to making all kinds of friends, but I was wondering, in particular, if there are any Democrat Latinos /Chicanos /Mestizos who frequent this board, I would like to meet you and know you're around. Drop a line to say Hi!

Viva la Raza!!!
~Mia

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. Welcome to DU!

My grandmother was Argentine, but I don't think I quite qualify as Latina.

[4323Lopez]

2. But of course you are...part anyway!

They speak Spanish in Argentina, no? Thanks for introducing yourself, nice picture!

[Capn Sunshine]

3. I am a Californeo

5th generation Californian. Mi familia ha estado aqui antes de los Mexicanos. Tengo parientes de ambos lados de la frontera.
Dig it, man.
Wecome to DU

[4323Lopez]

8. Hi

I have relatives in Cali! Beautiful state, I'm from Colorado but living out East right now. Thanks for the hello!

[Swede]

4. I'm half Swedish half french Canadian.

Sorry

[4323Lopez]

7. don't be sorry partner...

I'm sure there's a little brown in you somewhere... :)

[Swede]

17. I can eat chili con carne 7 days a week.

No seriously. My mom! used to raz me about how much I loved beans.
I hope I'm not stepping on toes here.
If you saw the post about shrimp,I could do that with beans.

[4323Lopez]

18. That's cool..

I have my crock pot going 3 days-a-week making beans. Keeps me from eating more than 4 meals of meat a wk PLUS I love beans!
...and tortillas too of course
...and shrimpies too of course :)

[pink_poodle]

5. hola! Sorry my keyboard does not do the other.................

exclamation mark. I'm Scottish! Part Maltese. But I did learn a lot of Spanish from a long time Venezuelan boyfriend. Nice to meet you!!

[4323Lopez]

11. Hi Ms. Poodle

Nice to meet you!

[La_Serpiente]

6. No soy latino

pero hablo espanol. Si, viva la Raza.

De donde eres?

Bienvenida a Democratic Underground.

[4323Lopez]

12. Gracias!

I'm Chicana! Why are you called La Serpiente?

[La_Serpiente]

21. Mi?

soy hawaiano, coreano, chino, irlandes, frances.

No soy latino.

[4323Lopez]

41. You are quite a mix!

That sounds great, I'd love to see what you look like. Is there any culture out of all of those that you have a direct affinity to?

[Syncronaut Seven]

9. Mi abuela es de Tiajuana

Does that count? I like to think I'm Hispanic. White people scare me ;)
Viva Zapata! --Tierra y libertad!

Harrad.

[4323Lopez]

13. Hi!

Mexicano, great! Now,now,now...NO white bashing allowed, I won't allow it and neither will the moderators. Besides, I'm sure they are just as scared of you as you are of them...

[Syncronaut Seven]

19. I'm not bashing

but due to the genetic defect that left me 3/4 Anglo my shame is often palpable. Particularly when W* has the temerity to claim to speak on my behalf.

Being born an American white male one can not truly understand what it is to be non white, non male, until one steps outside only to look back in. Mi amigo es un viaje largo, yo no lo emprende levemente.

Harrad

[FDRrocks]

10. Welcome...

your topic title reminded me of a front page story on my paper a few months ago. Here in my are of Pa, we are 97% white and majorly conservative. The fact that the Latino and Black population in my county grew like almost 1% combined in the last year made the front page. The articles tones were kinda ominous, if you know what I mean. It really made me weep for my area.

Welcome to DU, anyways. Sorry to bore :)

[4323Lopez]

14. No worries here

By next year, it'll probably be 5% and so on and on...we all just have to learn to get along, accept and love each other!

[FDRrocks]

15. Personally...

I've always wondered why minorities tend to stick to the south. I'd love some diversity up here. :)

[radwriter0555]

31. Living in winter climates is too HARD. Snow sucks unless you're rich and

live in Vail and can ski year-round.

Nice, warm climates are MUCH nicer.

[4323Lopez]

37. Colorado's not that cold...

I'm from there, Vermont is much colder!

[Susang]

60. Now that's just silly

Living in a colder climate is considered hard by people who don't like it. Money has nothing to do with it. Every geographical area's poor develop coping mechanisms to get them through the hard times. And don't forget, those warm climates have things like hurricanes (which can destroy people's lives and property), earthquakes and other natural disasters that us northerners don't usually have to deal with.

I've lived in the north all of my life, and trust me, I didn't grow up rich. Quite the opposite actually. But I love snow and cold weather and would hate to live in a warm climate year round, poor or rich. Like I said before, money's got nothing to do with it.

[radwriter0555]

61. ACTUALLY, it's far more expensive to live in a cold climate. What with

heating costs, wardrobe, transportation.

I grew up in Syracuse and it was a lot of work to winterize the house, including storm windows, insulation and weatherproofing, not to mention heating oil running 24/7.

Here in Southern California I turn on the gas heater a couple times a week, and the air conditioner 3 times during the entire summer, since we get ocean breezes. No storm windows or snow shovels!

[JanMichael]

16. Oh NO!

<runs and hides under bed>

Bwahahahaha!

Just kidding!

Wecome to DU:-)

Donde es tu casa? (please excuse my lousy attempts at Spanish...I spent several years in Poland and I tend to mix the two:shrug: )

[4323Lopez]

20. Poland?!?

That's so far away, must have been different over there. Is that where your from? Great name by the way!

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[4323Lopez]

24. You've....

Got TO Be Kidding Me!!!! Haha, that's a goood one :) You're funny!

[luckyluke]

26. I wasn't being funny

'Raza' means race, doesn't it?

-ll

[4323Lopez]

27. The expression has to do with "Pride for the People"

Isn't it funny how people claim racism for things they do not know and cannot ever understand? The very fact that you would even consider that comment racist shows your own true stripes. Why don't you spend some time accepting different cultures and practice changing your ignorange instead of trying to look for racism in a place where there is none? I'm Latina and your not, its that simple, get over it.

[luckyluke]

29. I do accept different cultures...

...and I'm sorry if I offended you, my friend.

But 'Viva La Raza' still doesn't seem right. Maybe I am ignorant, but how can a sentence like that be considered inclusive? Maybe it has a history or meaning behind it that I am not aware of. If so, please enlighten me.

-ll

[4323Lopez]

40. Good, I accept different cultures too...

as we all should aspire to do! The term is one of empowerment. As Latinos and Blacks faced MUCH descrimination in the years up to the 70's, they would chant that at rallys to gain confidence in themselves and their causes. The phrase is a little outdated, granted, but by no means racist.

[luckyluke]

62. Understood. Thanks, (nt)

[blondeatlast]

47. Context, amigo, context. It's very common to hear it

in Arizona--I've heard it at nearly every rally I've been to. I'm a blonde Anglo, and I've shouted it hundreds of times.

Here in AZ, it's like saying "Power to the people."

Edit: Bienvenidos, Lopez4323!

!Comparta una cerveza conmigo!

:beer:

[radwriter0555]

32. What do you mean by "latina"? Your interpretation of the word?

You use it a lot.

[4323Lopez]

33. My last name is Lopez...hellooo?!?!

[radwriter0555]

36. What does that mean? Jennifer LOPEZ is from P.R. .. I know many

LOPEZ from various countries in Central and South Americas.... are you of LATIN descent? Meaning your relatives came over with the Spanish in conquest? Are you MEXICAN? Costa Rican? Honduran? Puerto Rican? Cuban? El Salvadoran?

Latin ISN'T anyone with brown skin. Latinas and chicanos aren't the same thing. Yet you use both words as if they are...

Latin is a specific heritage. They're not Chicanos, they're not Mexicans. They're from Europe and mixed in with the indigenous peoples here in the Americas.

Gosh, for a chica you don't know much about your heritage.

Don't you know that our friends from south of the Border are the ORIGINAL AMERICANS?

Come here darlin, have a seat by me. Let me tell me a bit about your life.... sit right here.... I have some history to teach you.

[4323Lopez]

38. Your attempt to "school me" is laughable...

Having gone thru the whole "label assessing phase" in college,and while its true to some extent that society really needs labels to address us, unless Latinos/Mestizos/Chicanos/Hispanos etc can help them come up with an acceptable unifiying label that doesn't put down individual country/homeland/culture allegiance its better to just play along and answer to most of them. Like I'll mark Hispanic on a form (even tho I don't like that term) simply because that is the closest box that refers to me and I don't mind if people call me Latino or reading a magazine called Latina because even tho I'm not from Latin American per se these are unifying terms, and they allow me to be part of the group that I love, which includes other Chicanas and Mestizas(my word of choice also) Mexicans, Costa Ricans, Hondurans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, El Salvadorans, etc, etc. and so on.
Figuring out labels and fighting about them takes up too much of our time and quite frankly, by doing that we are playing right into their hands, "The Man" would prefer us to constantly keep squabbling about them because it keeps us separated and non-unified. However, there are many of us who are too bright to fall into that trap.

[radwriter0555]

46. Too bright to know what country you're family is from? This isn't about

labels. This is about NOT being homogenized by gringos who don't know the difference between latino, chicano, mexican, el salvadoran, guatamalen and puerto rican, mestiza, chicano or latino.

Who's squabbling? I think it's sad you don't know where your family is from, especially since our south of the border cultures are so wonderfully rich in tradition and family cultures reaching back into early, historical America.

I don't know of any of my latino, chicano, mexican, etc friends and family who don't know what country they're from, and their family history. Family history and the success that goes with migration is something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

And the 'latinos' I know don't want to be referred to as "chicanos'. And 'chicano's don't wish to be identified as "mestizas". These are all completely separate identifiers, which is something found only in gringos who can't be bothered to learn the history of their own continent in which the aforementioned cultures were rooted long before the europeans were.

[4323Lopez]

51. Again laughable, I know EXACTLY where my ancestors are from...

..but why would I share such personal, beautiful information with someone as strange as you. You have issues. You have this weird infatuation and you try to come across as so educated about my culture. How can you profess to know so much about a culture you were NOT born into? I was saying for political reasons it might be nice to "unify" with respect to the obvious country/homeland/culture allegiance everyone feels.

[luckyluke]

63. Teach me instead

I'm quite ignorant about these identifiers. So here goes:

1. What do latino, chicano, mestizo, respectively, mean?
2. Is 'Hispanic' an offensive or less preferred term?
3. What is the appropriate term for people of Mexican origin who are US citizens?

[radwriter0555]

66. Latino people are those who are from spain, migrated to the Americas in

this case, and most likely mixed with the indigenous peoples of the Americas. European latins don't identify themselves thusly. This is an Americas- only identifier.

Mestizo is a rarely used definition. It pertains to people of mixed european and indian or black descent.

Chicano is used only of Mexican living in the USA, not of Mexicans living in Mexico.

Hispanic is a catch-all type word. It's distinctive to those who speak spanish, and the origins of that person can be just about anything without being specific, but it roots back to the Spanish conquest of the Americas and is not considered a particularly flattering term for those who are proud of their Indian heritage.

People from the south are in the majority indian related, not spanish related. Granted the spanish definitely made their mark on parts south, but the muddying of the American cultures by the spanish has been far more detrimental than favorable.

It's strange that while US native Americans are afforded a grudging respect, the native Americans from anywhere south of the Rio Grande are discriminated against as much as, if not worse than blacks, in this country...

[4323Lopez]

74. Class is in session...and I'm only going to say this once!

As much as I didn't want my thread to become Racial Awareness 101, its become that. It just goes to show that although people are curious and ultimately have good intentions at heart, many are more comfortable to just let their ignorance and bigotry show through and put their questions on me as if I'm supposed to justify and explain all of them. And as much as I know that, in fact, I do have many of the answers, I have to tell you all to read books, have minority friends, educate yourselves and accept ALL Latinos, Mexicanos, Chicanos, Mestizos, Puerto Ricanos, Dominicans, Venezualians, whatever, etc, WITH OPEN ARMS!

Now, that being said, I'll address the stuff that dude was talking about in the thread before this.
Rad, Most of your definitions are elementary and simplified if not flawed, but for this board I guess they'll do. Latina: can be a catch-all type term, example: Latina Magazine; and Mestiza is more of a widely used term than you are aware of; and a Chicana is a POLITICALLY Aware "Latina" living in the US, who themselves are or their parents were involved/believed in El Movimiento as well as continue to strive today.

"People from the south are in the majority indian related, not spanish related. Granted the spanish definitely made their mark on parts south, but the muddying of the American cultures by the spanish has been far more detrimental than favorable."
I'm not sure you know what you are talking about there...

The Indians were and are proud Native people who had strong cultural traditions and religion. Alot of what they did seems barbaric to us, as were the Spanish, but was normal to them at that time in their history. The Spanards are a white culture that along with bringing travisty and mayhem to the Natives through war and torture also brought Christianity, hence Catholicism. North and South Americans are primarily Catholic now because of it. Now, as sad as it is that Indians were persecuted in the name of religion, the Indians did bring to Christianity their own strong Native traditions, thru Santos, Bultos, Feast Days etc. Which brings us up to the current date as MANY Latinos/Chicanos are Mestizos(mixed bloods). Usually, but not always, the case is: the darker you are the more Native blood you carry, the lighter the more Spanish blood. Darker people tend to be more discriminated against across the board and I hate that. I'd rather be Native than Spanish anyday, but I'm both, as were my ancestors. I strive to be proud of both my Native and Spanish influences because as much as anyone would like to claim all Native blood and discredit everything the Spanish did, when you come across names like Jose, Jesus and Maria, and Lopez, Martinez etc...you can't help but realize the STRONG all encompassing Spanish influence present today as well.

[Stone Cold]

23. viva la raza....

latino heat Eddie Guerrero....No soy Latino. Soy Aleman/Noruega/un poco frances/canadiense....mucho gusto, 4323Lopez!

[4323Lopez]

42. Sounds great!

Who's Eddie Guerrero, what's Noruega? Nice to meet you!

[Stone Cold]

68. ......

Noruega is "Norweigan" and Eddie Guerrero is a wrestler for the WWE. "Viva la raza" is said at the beginning of his entrance music.

[ForrestGump]

25. Viva Las Vegas!

http://www.heute.t-online.de/ZDFheute/img/11/0,1369,2037227,00.jpg

[4323Lopez]

35. That's cute!

I love Elvis too! Have you ever heard of El Vez?

[xJlM]

58. El Vez!

I burned a copy of his cd a while back. I'm not much of a big Elvis fan, though.

Welcome to DU. This can be a very interesting and open-minded place. Yo hablo Espanol (cuatro anos en escuela), pero no tengo nadie para conversacion.

[ForrestGump]

71. Oh, yeah

And his songs "See, See My Low Rider," "You Ain't Nuthin' But A Chihuahua," and, of course, "Viva La Raza"!

He's pretty cool - a bona fide fan, too, in a big way.



Arriba!

[Skittles]

28. I'm jealous of Latina women . . . .

that beautiful skin color. I'm as white as this message space. :O TXLEO is Latino but I haven't heard from him in a while . . .

[4323Lopez]

34. Thanks, I am very pretty...

I'm sure you are too! Don't get caught up in skin tones. Beauty comes from within you know that! Don't know about that other guy, hope to meet him someday, I'm usre its hard to be the "token" Latina around here. I have pride in my culture, yes, but that isn't the end-all be all of my existence, I have varied opinions about everything!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

67. You're a pretty Latina???

STOP STOP STOP!!!!
I am getting chest pain :evilgrin:

[ForrestGump]

72. And I'm remembering someone I once knew in Texas

:D

Wo...talk about chest :o

[Skittles]

73. stick around, Lopez

you'll like it here; welcome to the DU! :hi:

[radwriter0555]

30. HOLA AMIGO!

Are you or your family from Mexico or one of our other fine, fine nieghbors from south of the border?

I'm a total gringo, but love the Mexican culture, especially its influence here in Los Angeles. Going to the Day of the Dead festivities later today in fact.

[4323Lopez]

39. For someone who claims to like other cultures...

..some of your comments on here have come across as condescending. I hope you work that out within yourself. Enjoy Dia de Los Muertos!

[radwriter0555]

49. For someone who claims first to be a latina, then claims to be a chicano..

and then to have a male roommate, coming from such a strict, traditional culture... you're a highly unique and evolved individual! And to know about El Vez even! Pretty darned amazing!

[blondeatlast]

50. Sheesh, rad--relax. Saying she has to know everything about her culture

and stereotyping the "strictness" of said culture is pretty narrow-minded. I've spent nearly my entire life in the southwest, the vast majority in aouthern Arizona, and Latinos/Hispanics/Mestizas/etc are just as diverse, if not more so, as the Anglo population. There is a huge difference between second or third generations originating from Mexico than first generation emigres, for instance. No judgments here, it's just the case.

4323Lopez; comparta una mas cerveza conmigA! Y una cerveza para nuestra amigo, radwriter! Venga, hablemos y apredemos, amigos!

(perdone mi ignorancia . . .)

[radwriter0555]

53. ANYTHING would be a nice start.

Doncha think?

[blondeatlast]

56. Cualquier marcas usted feliz, amigo. (Whatever makes you happy).

[4323Lopez]

54. Thank you.

Same story, different day. In college, I was always the one Latina/Chicana in many of my classes. When people sometimes take what you say as speaking for a whole race of people, it puts you in the position that you really better know who you are and what you are talking about. Which I always do!

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

43. Welcome!

I'm not Latina, but welcome anyway! :hi:

[4323Lopez]

44. Thanks!

Glad to be here, my roomate frequents this board all the time. But he is quite shy and never posts, only reads. By the way, I'm lefty in every sense of the word...left-handed!

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

45. Cool

I can speak Spanish, but I'm Italian/Sicilian/Scottish/Irish

[ronnykmarshall]

48. Let me seee...

I'm English, Irish, French, Italian and Native American. I'll just say I'm a mutt.

[4323Lopez]

52. Don't use the derogatory term "mutt"..

even while joking. I don't like people putting themselves down. You sound like a great mix, so nice to meet you! What kind of Indian?

[Lady Freedom]

55. L.F background

German, Irish, Scottish, French, Dutch, Lakota, Cheyenne,Choctaw(sp?)

[_NorCal_D_]

57. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[4323Lopez]

78. *clink*clink

Cheers! Nice to meet you!

[scarlet_owl]

59. Hey 4323Lopez! Welcome!

I'm Mexican-American, and I'm here. On Edit: I'm sorry that some people here feel the need to jump all over your back. What we identify ourselves as is our business.

Viva la Raza!

[4323Lopez]

80. Hi! Nice to meet you.

Thanks for the support! Have you been here long, and do you like it? How's Illinois?
-Mia

[Astarho]

64. Bienvenido

Welcome to DU. I'm not Latino, but hablo un poco español.

[proud patriot]

65. Welcome Underground

:hi:

[Le Taz Hot]

69. Welcome, 4232Lopez!

I'm not Latina but am a lifelong Californian AND . . . when I was in Guadalajara was made an honorary Mexican by the local residents (I have the Certificate to prove it -- probably had something to do with my support of the local food vendors as I managed to eat my way through that beautiful city). Anyway, welcome to DU and I'm looking forward to your posts.

:hi: B-)

[shanti]

70. no, but my BIL is latino:-)

does that count:D

:hi: welcome from northern california!

[Cleita]

75. Half and half.

One half Chilena and one half Norte Americana.

[populistmom]

76. Very cool!

Welcome to DU! :)

[sasquatch]

77. Will you be opening a restuarant?

I like latino food:) I like all ethnic food:D That's why I like the fact that latino's are moving close to me because they are opening restaurants:) Mi casa Su casa Aif Wiedershien.

[rene moon]

79. Hi Mia!

I am a 3rd generation Mexican-American, although I call myself Latina.
I live in Tucson. You should come visit sometime!

Viva La Raza!

[THUNDER HANDS]

81. I'm Jewish, but I did eat at a Taco Bell last week

:)

Sorry, that was in poor taste.

:)

[4323Lopez]

82. That's ok, I'm Catholic and I ate a Mazto Ball...

...Sometime last year!

Nice to meet you!

[ZenLefty]

83. Cool. Welcome to DU

from your resident Italian-American Buddhist Hockey Fan. :hi: