BajaNomad - "Politically incorrect" stuff in Baja

"Politically incorrect" stuff in Baja

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 01:55 PM

How about Negrita cooking oil. Do they sell that in Baja? I couldn't believe it when I saw it in the Yucatan last winter. Also, in Baja, I've seen some Coco Krispy sort of breakfast cereal with pictures of little black kids in black-face on the box. I couldn't believe it. That would not go over well in the states.

DENNIS - 5-6-2007 at 02:14 PM

How about La Cochinita restaurant chain.... With the stereotypical world war 2 Japanese face, round wire frame glasses, buck teeth and a big Tokyo at sunrise squinty smile?
Probably wouldn't fare too well in Los Angeles.

DENNIS - 5-6-2007 at 02:21 PM

They're all over Ensenada. Are they in other areas as well?

Don Alley - 5-6-2007 at 02:29 PM

Big stink in the US about these stamps a while back:

050629_mexicoStamp_hLarge.hlarge.jpg - 34kB

DENNIS - 5-6-2007 at 02:57 PM

Oh, yeah. Memín Pinguín. The little fella created quite a stir.

2 other examples

sylens - 5-6-2007 at 03:11 PM

café negrita and our neighborhood dog, la negra (fondly called negrita).

it wasn't until the last ten years or so that you would see women serving in restaurants--all and only men. rationale, as it was in good ol' usa 40 years ago for paying men more for equal work, is that it is assumed men are supporting families; women are earning pocket money. but times they are a changin'. growing recognition of domestic violence and demands for equal pay are signs of where mexico is heading...

"political correctness" only arises in a society as minorities and groups previously subjugated begin to get a voice and demand respect...it gets awkward when folks start insisting they be know by a name they choose, but ultimately, equal rights and equal access for all are achieved only after much awkwardness (at least) and violence (at worst).

jmho

comitan - 5-6-2007 at 03:20 PM

Dennis

We have them here in La Paz.

DENNIS - 5-6-2007 at 03:24 PM

Ah so......... That face is getting around.

fdt - 5-6-2007 at 05:39 PM

Negrito Sandia is a classic song from Cri Cri.

bajalera - 5-7-2007 at 08:57 AM

And how about the subtle racism that prevails in TV commercials and print advertising, where you hardly ever see anyone with Indian features.

shari - 5-7-2007 at 09:08 AM

No No No...it's not racism or politically incorrect...its reality. It took some getting used to but I have learned to respect the latin way of "calling a spade a spade"...you see, most people are named after saints and so tons of people have the same name so they don't mean much...only in paperwork...but in everyday life...folks have nicknames...usually based on what they look (or looked like as a baby) gordo, flaco, chino, pelon,negro...etc. Here it is not an insult to be called Hey baldy for example...it just is what it is so why be uptight or insulted. It is racism or politically incorrect in OUR culture but not in baja. They really don't understand why we get so weirded out about these terms. But yes, it is hard for women to get jobs when the ads are so blatently wanting single,cute, young women....but at least they tell the truth about what they want so there are no ruses. truth hurts does not apply here when it comes to physical attributes....strange but true. I can now calmy and without shame call some guy....Negro...ven aca....

David K - 5-7-2007 at 09:18 AM

It used to be "sticks and stones can break our bones, but names will never hurt us" in the U.S., too... Then lawyers and politicians got involved as they saw $$$ .

I will agree that it seems very insulting if those images were used in a negative manner...

osoflojo - 5-7-2007 at 11:21 AM

Well said, Shari

flyfishinPam - 5-7-2007 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by osoflojo
Well said, Shari

and Sylens

Monia - 5-7-2007 at 05:13 PM

Very true Shari. My mom is from Ecuador and when we would go visit my uncles would call me negra, even though I have light skin but it is of an olive tone and I have dark hair and eyes, different from the rest of my family. So to them I was negra, at times it doesn't mean a person of color but rather an endearing term.

They would say: "Negra como mi suerte, suerte como mi negra!

Oso - 5-7-2007 at 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt
Negrito Sandia is a classic song from Cri Cri.

Some friends gave me a Grandes Exitos tape of his; one of my favorites:

"...¡Un negrito bailarín
de bastón y con bombín,
con clavel en el ojal,
pero que se porta mal!...

¡Hey amigo, lo compré
para ve' bailar a uste',
perezoso mueva los pies!

Dale cuerda y ya verás
como se acuerda y puede bailar ...

¡Morenito, vamo a ve'
si por fin se anima uste',
y no' baila algo de tap!..."

I have that on an old LP. The song is about a kid talking to a wind-up toy. My favorite is "Rey de Chocolate" but next to that, the one about the "Gringuito Cowboy Mouse".

Oso - 5-7-2007 at 05:37 PM

This was Chente's reaction to the Memin flap:

http://www.elcerebro.com/archivo/negros.htm

woody with a view - 5-7-2007 at 08:02 PM

whatta bout the signs on the toll both (tj to ensenada) that loudly proclaim, "BAN BRAS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edited on 5-8-2007 by woody in ob]

Wingnut - 5-8-2007 at 04:54 PM

Shari is right on with her observations. Mexico is all about describing what one see's or is familiar with. No insults are intended, just a familarity with a member of the gene pool.

Marie-Rose - 5-8-2007 at 05:15 PM

I love that our neighbors blonde dog is called "gringo" :tumble:

I told them I would pay to know what my nickname was....no way would they tell

[Edited on 2007-5-9 by Marie-Rose]

DENNIS - 5-8-2007 at 05:37 PM

Probably so nice it would be inappropriate to tell you.

wiltonh - 5-8-2007 at 07:31 PM

Some of the company names are interesting also. The Gas company in Lapaz is Gas Passa. Not a name that would be used in the USA.

[Edited on 5-9-2007 by wiltonh]

DENNIS - 5-8-2007 at 07:33 PM

Gas Passa? You're kidding..........