What's the point?

Question

I began learning how to speak Spanish a couple of years ago, and I've become quite good at it. I can hold long conversations and I can understand almost anything. But I've met some hostility and people who resent that I have learned so much, and dislike me because of my color.
My class was arranging a trip to Spain, and I was told I shouldn't go because the society is very racist, classist, and sexist, and as an African-American, I'd be rejected.
I recently read an article about a soccer event in Colombia where black players were humiliated.
I feel like I should stop learning Spanish because I feel betrayed, but I really like the language. What should I do?

Thank you all! You are all so encouraging. It is going to be very hard to choose a best answer!

Answer 1

Continue to learn it or learn French. Give up something you really love or persist and resist so you can change the situation someday.

You can tell you story to the U.N., you can work for the U.N. in the future. You can even work in the White House. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Don't give up! It's up to you to do it!

Think what happen to Oprah, to Rice, to every Chinese American, to every Hispanic American, Italian American, Jewish American, African American, every minority and everyone who has once been discriminated by unjustice and also made a positive change to the society.

Answer 2

I don't know about Spain, but I have heard, in general, from people that have visited countries like Brazil that the people are flattered that someone has learned their language and are very friendly and accommodating. You might look into visiting another Spanish-speaking country that is less prejudiced. If you have your heart set on visiting Spain, go. Don't let rumors of prejudice keep you from doing something you really want to do. You have to decide which outweighs the other. Would the regret of not seeing Spain outweigh the potential discomfort or awkwardness of prejudiced natives. If you are traveling with a group, it would likely be much safer and you would be interacting most frequently with your class members.

As for speaking Spanish in general, don't let what people think of you keep you from speaking a language you love. I'm sure you can find some way to speak the language you love without having to deal with small-minded racists. Good Luck!

Answer 3

You are what you are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you are who you are, then it's more than acceptable and people should accept for who you are. People should never disrespect or show hostility towards you just because you are a certain race or the language you are learning how to speak. I don't want you to ever think that you are useless. You can be capable of become anything you wish if you put your mind to it.

I know that it's a cruel and harsh society out there. But you don't have to get adjusted with the people who behave the way they shouldn't be behaving.

In my opinion, people from all countries should respect all others for who they are. I think this is very necessary because everyone is only a human being. We live in one race called the human race. You certainly can change your opinion and personality. Unfortunately, you cannot change other's opinion. You simply ignore these people. Find other people who are like you and respect you. I am sure there are many others who are as friendly as you.

I hope my respond to your question helped you a bit.

Answer 4

I think that you should keep learning Spanish, that is a good and easy language to learn. In the work place it will benefit you. Now this is true about the Spaniards they are very prejudice against the color black. But that is their ignorance, they don't like blacks of any race because they consider themselves the true Spanish race. I am Puerto Rican, borne there and lived there for a few years while I was young, Iam fluent in Spanish, can translate, read and write it. But I am just like you, most people speak to me in English when I go to a Spanish store, and when I reply in Spanish, they look at me weird, one guy dare ask me where did you learn Spanish, I said very rudely the same way you did from my momma. So don't get discouraged, keep learning, it will be a wonderful thing for you to be able to speak two languages. And what a surprise when people are talking about you behind your back, you can respond in Spanish.
Don't allow no one to discourage you, keep on learning. After Spanish learn French, it also sounds a bit like Spanish. Learn all you can while you are young. People are just jealous of you.

Answer 5

They make fun of white people, too. Everyone on the planet makes fun of some person that is different from themself. I studied abroad in Spain and I didn't see any racism. Sexism is probably the worst. But they seem to like Americans. Spain is a beautiful place and I would not pass up the chance to see it for anything short of the real threat of physical harm.

You know that not everyone is like that and only the negative stuff makes the media. Keep learning and maybe you will learn the real truth. Don't accept stereotypes and the media. There is so much more to the culture.

Answer 6

You are special and let NO one make you feel any less then any one else, It is good to be diversified that is be able to speak another language, People are creatures of a sinful nature, and when they see that you are going well, they try to bring others down to make them selves feel better. I wish I could speak Spanish I a special lady I would like to speak with yet she lives in Peru, Lima and the changes of us ever meeting will never happen. Do not worried that other may reject you, it will not matter what country you go to, there is rejection every where in this world. Please be strong stay on the right path follow your heart and you will succeed where every one else says you will fail. Remain Sober, strong and supportive with eyes and arms wide open unconditionally. I wish you the best in every thing you do.

Answer 7

You are first and foremost a human being and as such are entitled to all the rights and freedoms outlined in the charter. If you shy away from demanding your access to these rights then you accept racism,classism, sexism, which is how they want you to respond. Frankly i think you are getting BS because i have been all over europe and do not find they are anymore racist sexist or clasist than the US. In fact people of color were more readily accepted in europe when the US was still doing segregation. Go on see the world and enjoy.

Answer 8

You know, people of all colors speak Spanish. In Central America, a vast majority of one country (I can't recall which one) are black and the main language is Spanish. Spain is probably racist, but it would depend on how badly you want to go. I wouldn't want you to go for fear of something happening to you in a foriegn country. But at the same time, there is a point where you have to take a stand and live your life how you see fit, despite how others would see it.

Answer 9

Do you have any idea how many black people speak Spanish? A lot! Look at Cuba! Don´t give up on a cool language just because a few idiots speak it, by that logic, you wouldn´t speak English either.

Answer 10

It's the language you like! I don't see why you shouldn't keep on learning a language you like just because some stupid spics are racists! Show them some class and don't let them get you down! Be proud of your heritage!