I'm not a racist, but do any of you get upset when someone trys to project their heritage on you unnecessarily? Im in the Army. This morning I came to formation and there was about 7 people speaking spanish fluently for about 15 mins. I told them to stop and break it down in English because that is not only against Army regulation (if someone feels uncomfortable you have to speak english) but its also rude. So they told me that they didnt feel comfortable when everyone else speaks 'ebonics'. It pissed me off so I told them that this is the U.S Army and we are in California, not mexico. How would I look joining the mexican/germany/african military and then trying to take a stand for United States rights? "we do things this way or that way" stuff gets on my nerves because we are all in the same place at the same time, so why try to impose your heritage on others as an excuse to be rude..am I wrong?
Mexicans
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Yes, you are. For example, I'm in school and talking to my friend in Bosnian. An American comes up to me and says that I should speak English because he doesn't know whether we talk shit about him or not. I say, "I don't feel comfortable speaking English with my friend because we're used to speaking Bosnian and nobody will tell me I can't speak my native language." You are the typical Yankee, my friend, and you're wrong.
If you want a country where people must speak one language even if they're talking to friends who are the same heritage then go back in time and join the nazi army. You live in America, people from all over the world live there. What gets me upset is when people say "Hey, you're in *insert country*, you either speak our language or shut the fuck up". They have the right to speak whatever they want
yes you are wrong, people that are uncomfortable about people talking in other languages are just really self concious that they are talking shit about them. Thats the only reason why you should get upset. Subconciously, or you being aware of it, you are either racist or self concious.
Lets say i had a grandmother from italy, who spoke english, but felt more comfortable speaking italian, so i should make you feel more comfortable, because your ignorant and arrogant ways? have you ever thought since they are mexican they feel more comfortable talking in spanish than english? They are proud about their heritage yes, and your proud of being american how is that wrong? They are not trying to impose their heritage on you, they didnt say " hey man you got learn spanish to talk to us." They also didnt say mexican pride!! They didnt say mexicans will always reside over americans. Man unless they did some of that shit. Stop your bitching.
Lets say i had a grandmother from italy, who spoke english, but felt more comfortable speaking italian, so i should make you feel more comfortable, because your ignorant and arrogant ways? have you ever thought since they are mexican they feel more comfortable talking in spanish than english? They are proud about their heritage yes, and your proud of being american how is that wrong? They are not trying to impose their heritage on you, they didnt say " hey man you got learn spanish to talk to us." They also didnt say mexican pride!! They didnt say mexicans will always reside over americans. Man unless they did some of that shit. Stop your bitching.
So a group of friends speak one language and happen to be in the army, they are building trust, friendship and a bond with eachother but you have the nerve to say stop all that. Peole relate to others in different ways, they related through speech, instead of saying quit ask to get taught, since you do have a lot to learn.
Were you involved in the conversation or did you want them to speak English so you could eavesdrop on them and understand what they were saying?
(I assume you weren't involved in the conversation)
One of my non-Dutch friends can speak Dutch but I speak English with him because I'm used to it. If I'm in a conversation with him and a Dutch friend I'll switch between Dutch and English simply because it's awkward to talk to someone in a different language than you're used to.
If you were involved in the conversation it would be rude of them to speak Spanish but since you weren't (correct me if I'm wrong here), why the hell shouldn't they? There is no need for you to understand them. In my opinion it's rude of you to ask them to talk English so you could understand a conversation you weren't involved in. You say you're not racist but are you xenophobic by any chance?
" So they told me that they didnt feel comfortable when everyone else speaks 'ebonics'. It pissed me off"
Didn't you piss them off first though? If I was in their position I'd be annoyed by you. And it sounds to me like they only said that to say something back.
"I told them that this is the U.S Army and we are in California, not mexico."
That is such a shitty mindstate and it's also stupid as hell. Why should they speak English simply because they're in California? They are talking to other Spanish-speaking people. Now if they were working in a store and spoke Spanish to customers that would be different but they're just talking among themselves.
Do you switch language when you cross the border? If not, you're a hypocrite.
"but do any of you get upset when someone trys to project their heritage on you unnecessarily?"
I read your post 3 times but I couldn't see where they tried to project their heritage upon you. To me it sounds like you were the one doing this.
Just think about what you're actually saying. You're asking people to stop speaking their native tongue so you can understand them even though there is absolutely no need for you to.
"I'm not a racist"
If you didn't say anything racist why would you need to point this out?
In conjunction with your actual post, the thread title is pretty discriminatory since it has nothing to do with the fact that they're Mexican.
(I assume you weren't involved in the conversation)
One of my non-Dutch friends can speak Dutch but I speak English with him because I'm used to it. If I'm in a conversation with him and a Dutch friend I'll switch between Dutch and English simply because it's awkward to talk to someone in a different language than you're used to.
If you were involved in the conversation it would be rude of them to speak Spanish but since you weren't (correct me if I'm wrong here), why the hell shouldn't they? There is no need for you to understand them. In my opinion it's rude of you to ask them to talk English so you could understand a conversation you weren't involved in. You say you're not racist but are you xenophobic by any chance?
" So they told me that they didnt feel comfortable when everyone else speaks 'ebonics'. It pissed me off"
Didn't you piss them off first though? If I was in their position I'd be annoyed by you. And it sounds to me like they only said that to say something back.
"I told them that this is the U.S Army and we are in California, not mexico."
That is such a shitty mindstate and it's also stupid as hell. Why should they speak English simply because they're in California? They are talking to other Spanish-speaking people. Now if they were working in a store and spoke Spanish to customers that would be different but they're just talking among themselves.
Do you switch language when you cross the border? If not, you're a hypocrite.
"but do any of you get upset when someone trys to project their heritage on you unnecessarily?"
I read your post 3 times but I couldn't see where they tried to project their heritage upon you. To me it sounds like you were the one doing this.
Just think about what you're actually saying. You're asking people to stop speaking their native tongue so you can understand them even though there is absolutely no need for you to.
"I'm not a racist"
If you didn't say anything racist why would you need to point this out?
In conjunction with your actual post, the thread title is pretty discriminatory since it has nothing to do with the fact that they're Mexican.
It doesn't piss me off that they speak Spanish to each other cause that's what they're most comfortable with. What does piss me off is that the govt or whatever is trying to make us cater to them. Everything is now in English and Spanish. I mean, they come to this country, they should learn to speak our language. I wouldn't go to say China and expect them to change everything just so I can understand it. I chose to go there so I should be able to speak the language at least enough to understand the basics. Putting everything in Spanish as well as English isn't teaching them to speak the language, it's catering to them and basically saying "it's ok, you don't hafta learn the language, we'll change everything for you". But then again, I really can't say it necessarily pisses me off, I just don't think it's right.
Due to the fact this is an American Army that has 75% of its unit speaking in a foriegn lauguage, throwing spanish parties and going spanish dancing. You should see it. These guys/girls are close friends of mine, but the fact is if you are in a government position serving the government of one country yet promoting another i think its silly. I look around and there's the Mexico,Puru and Spain flag all over the place..I'm like WTF?
Army reg states soldeirs can not speak in any other language if other soldiers can not understand them...period. With the leadership that was involved they knew better but wanted to do what they wanted any ways..maybe i have taken a racist tone but fuck it..we are americans. Not Afro Americans , not Anglo Americans but simply americans. On september 11'th the terrorists didnt divide the plane up into groups like
"oh we are only after AngloAmericans with a few Afros on the side.."
We are all under one government and law, so why not break the differental barrier down and just be? If I passed the test to be a german citizin, I'd be German. Period. Not afro German..Adding american to the end of what ever nationality you are is stupid because no other country does it. I dont get barriers or division if we are all fighting the same war? why promote mexico's life style and history if you are fighting for american rights and freedoms?
Army reg states soldeirs can not speak in any other language if other soldiers can not understand them...period. With the leadership that was involved they knew better but wanted to do what they wanted any ways..maybe i have taken a racist tone but fuck it..we are americans. Not Afro Americans , not Anglo Americans but simply americans. On september 11'th the terrorists didnt divide the plane up into groups like
"oh we are only after AngloAmericans with a few Afros on the side.."
We are all under one government and law, so why not break the differental barrier down and just be? If I passed the test to be a german citizin, I'd be German. Period. Not afro German..Adding american to the end of what ever nationality you are is stupid because no other country does it. I dont get barriers or division if we are all fighting the same war? why promote mexico's life style and history if you are fighting for american rights and freedoms?
Before I go any further I have to explain something. In the military the mind set you are trained to think in (in basic training ) is that there is no color - just green. There is no male or female - just a soldier. So when things hit the fan you are expected to be treated one universal way, not because you are a blackwhite male or female. Bullets have no color lines or prejudices against sex.
I used to think the same way, until I was on the wrong end of a knife in Europe. Not because I was wrong in any way, but because I was 'American'. Other Americans joined me and over there I learned there isnt any Afro/mexican/etc - just us. I agree with suge knight when he said that he wasnt an African American, because he's never been to africa..A real african would kick my ass. I'm just saying this country is putting up too many barriers and walls when we are all collectively facing the same hatred around the world...
I used to think the same way, until I was on the wrong end of a knife in Europe. Not because I was wrong in any way, but because I was 'American'. Other Americans joined me and over there I learned there isnt any Afro/mexican/etc - just us. I agree with suge knight when he said that he wasnt an African American, because he's never been to africa..A real african would kick my ass. I'm just saying this country is putting up too many barriers and walls when we are all collectively facing the same hatred around the world...
Diversity does make us unique, but at which point does diversity become used with contempt to alienate the people around you? I've even played ball to say , ok teach me spanish also - I think as a nation we should be learning spanish at a kindergarden level because that is one of the most common laungauges spoken other than english here..but when you group together exclusively one race just because they are the same as you its wrong.
Imagine if you went to work with 'white power' tattooed on your arms. someone might take it the wrong way. Some of these guys in this cliq im talking about have 'Latino Pride' down their arms, and Latino Warrior across thier back..now I asked my self if these bald mexican guys with tat's were actually bald white guys with tats' this would be investigated by CID and all that about racial bigotry..but because they are a minority already its ok? wheres the standard?
Imagine if you went to work with 'white power' tattooed on your arms. someone might take it the wrong way. Some of these guys in this cliq im talking about have 'Latino Pride' down their arms, and Latino Warrior across thier back..now I asked my self if these bald mexican guys with tat's were actually bald white guys with tats' this would be investigated by CID and all that about racial bigotry..but because they are a minority already its ok? wheres the standard?
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