I believe the anger towards Mexicans is not racilly motivated, but culturally motivated. Agree or disagree?

Question

Americans generally don't have problems with different races, it's more the actions of certain groups. Many of the Mexicans that are flooding over the border refuse to assimilate by learning American customs and English. In many ways, since there are so many of them, they continue life as if they were still in Mexico and force Americans to adapt to them instead of the other way around (e.g., making us use Spanish to communicate with them). This is where much of the resentment is rooted in.

The opposing view always says that they shouldn't have to turn their back on their heritage - no one says that you have to alter your lives and forget about your Mexican heritage. Just try to learn English and show some RESPECT to our laws and customs. If you want to live here, become an American, not a Mexican living in America.

Answer 1

Wrong on both...it's economically motivated on both sides. Always was.

Answer 2

Well I agree with you that for most rational people culture would be the argument, but when I hear the battle-crys of Texans and Californians who simply hate Mexicans I have to disagree. The non-issue of race is very important to bigots everywhere. There are also those who don't want anyone in this country. They want zero immigration. Those guys tend to be racist too.

Me? I took Spanish in school for the economic advantage but I believe that USA should standardize on English and avoid the pressure from sourthern countries to adopt spanish.

I also think that illegal immigration is illegal and wrong. However, I think legal immigration is hard enough, and the quotas need to be distributed more evenly so that we don't get influxes of just one particular type of culture or people. If this is done you will see a HUGE drop in immigration complaints as people will assimilate rather than form huge ostentatious communities.

Answer 3

You make some interesting points.

While I won't discredit the usefulness of learning Spanish (it IS among the most widely-spoken languages in the world, right up there with Chinese and English) having a single language helps to keep the country together. Without a common means of communication that everyone understands, no group can operate by itself. And Enligsh has already been established as the "official" language of America. If a Mexican wishes to speak Spanish in America, no one should stop him. That's his right. But he shouldn't expect the rest of us to work around him in order to make things easier for him. It's only fair that he learns the language of this country.

Same thing goes for customs and daily behavior; I've heard some complaints about Mexican men "flirting" with pretty American women by staring at them. While this may have been acceptable in Mexico, they should understand that in America, it's rude and it's more likely to get them slapped.

Immigrants, no matter where they came from, should at least learn the language and laws of our country. That will make it easier for them and for everyone else. Yes, it is hard adapting to a new country, but that's the price you pay for coming to America. Let's face it; this land DOES offer much more opportunity and freedom than anywhere else in the world, and guess what? Freedom isn't free. Men and women have paid for it with blood, sweat, and tears since the War for Independence.
And I don't believe it's asking too much of immigrants to at least learn the language and laws of America.

Like you said, that doesn't mean they have to completely forget about their heritage, though. That's part of what makes America so great- we're not (for the most part) an elitist society; we have taken in people from England, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Japan, China, Vietnam, Africa- everywhere. And nobody demands that they behave and think exactly like everyone else does.

Yeah, you're pretty much right on.

Answer 4

You have a valid point, though people have to get more educated about other cultures as well and learn in general about cultures in the world, people need to have a certain degree of culture in order to understand how things truly are, I do agree with you on the fact that a lot of these people are quite uneducated and come to a place where they are unable to adjust, or the culture shock is overwhelming, so that mixed in with ignorance and lack of skills, communication, and confidence they end up acting in such a stupid way. On the other hand I've met people that were the opposite, educated, cultured, attractive, successful, business owners and had class, they came from Mexico City and have the highest level of culture, class and education I've seen, they travel the world and are an asset to society and are here legally, I've met many, I think for the most part people tend to stereo type and not every Mexican is as bad as you think, if you travel and yes go to Mexico City, and other cities, you'd be amazed on how these people live. So generalizing is never a good thing. It is important to learn and get educated on different cultures in the world.

Answer 5

I have to agree with some of your asumptions, but the people that now criticize immigrants , Mexicans mostly, are gonna still do it even if they become American citizens. I am Mexican, came here legally ( so don't hate me ) but I have no desire to become a citizen ( I can't imagine myself waving a flag other than a Mexican flag ) my wife is American ( white ) and my son is now an American- Mexican. Who is growing to be a very tolerant towards other races that are here legally or illegally. I speak the lenguage, I "asimilated' to the culture. BIg deal, I respect the laws of this country as I respect the laws of mine. I am a guest in this country and i behave as one. My family have never depended on any state programs to make ends meet, I have a good paying job ( tech industry ) and I have never been in trouble with the law, here or in Mexico. Proud to live in the US, proud to be Mexican.

Now, its time for me to watch a reality show.

Answer 6

That is just a small part of this problem, there are other issues, such as sending money out of the country, becoming a American citizen, the number of illegals, the list can go on forever. If they follow the procedures, and try to addapt to American way of life it would be easy for both sides.

Answer 7

Racially motivated or culturally motivated, Same thing...Americans are rude and intolerant. Mexico should do the same as Cuba, and stop you guys at the border...you make horrible tourists anyways. How about you learn some Spanish and some bloody manners when you are in Mexico?! You act like a bunch of two faced racists.

Answer 8

i'm not particularly proud of the mexicans. i'm amongst them . i work with them. and i live in a mexican neighborhood.
i was enlightened by a mexican. he said that its ok to steal. if you are not watching your stuff; and it gets stolen.its your fault for not watching your stuff.
take a good look at mexico; and you will see your future.now those stupid polititians are making a big deal out of immigration . like wake up dumbasses! it's like at least 50 years too late ,stupid damn government.all these mexicans are are here because their own country is a piece of crap.now that they have taken over; look for the u.s. to be turned into a piece of crap..from what i've seen mexican culture sucks! and they have the respect that they want.respect them and lock up; and lock down what you want to keep..
if you drive down a street ,and you notice allot of new brick walls etc... theres a mexican working for a block layer somewhere,and he's stealing the materials and giving everyone a good deal on block structure.i'm a 30 year mechanic. ive never locked up my tools. i went to work for a carburetor remanufacturer. it wasnt long, and all my tools were stolen. piece by piece. they got caught stealing on a grand scale. several times.thousands of dollars in carbs and parts have disappeared.i have witnessed them taking stuff while all the others watch out for the ones stealing.tell me how great mexicans are. tell me its good to have them here taking and destroying businesses. they absoloutely dispise black people. i watch them doing things to black peoples things so they wont work.yea! a real proud people they are.they are buying all the land they can. how come a mexican can have a house, and i cant. i was born here.how can they buy land here, when they are not supposed to be here.?

Answer 9

Mexicans are welcome to become American citizens, just go through the LEGAL immigration process:

Get qualified, pay all the application fees, fill all the forms, get the medical exams, get interviewed by the American embassy/consulate in Mexico, instead of jumping the line!!!! Jumping the line puts them in an ILLEGAL STATUS and creates problems for everybody, and for both countries!!!!

Answer 10

1) Legal issue.
2) Financial burden issue.
3) US enforcing English and a "US culture."
4) Population issue.
5) Race issue.

Answer 11

I agree. The proof is that many Latinos that think of themselves as Americans first are angry at the flood of illegals and are embarrassed by the blatant lack of appreciation that many new immigrants are showing.