The Michael Jackson Syndrome

Obviously, such a question of identity could have only been formulated after long pondering by the countries 'bleached' elite. Unfortunately, many upper class intellectuals may have been involed in revolutions through Latin America which proved to be the "lesser" of two evils for the Original people in those countries in the long run. Many countries won their independence from Spain, however the colonization remained due the the forging of the countries by their 'intellectuals' whom undoubtly were victims of the colonial education system. Many of their influences came from the European "Enlightenment" period. And even today, as the overwhelming majority of the Mexican masses are clearly and visibly 'not white', those more affluent in society i.e. access to jobs,education, are usually lighter and have a better chance of assimilating into the U.S. These are the people making an issue at of this, because it leverages their ability to be accepted in the 'states'. Regardless to one's actually skin color, there is more in their bio-chemical make-up that constitutes who they are. Someone may appear 'white' or really light, but they aren't. And their 'blood' and DNA bears witness. However, many remained confused because of how we are educated. What I like to call the "Michael Jackson Syndrome"...

"What do you call a Mexican with a job that makes more than $50,000 a year? A Spaniard." - Carlos Mencia, comedian

"To my Puerto Rican friends.....I'm Spanish!.....I looked and said...."What chu say nigga?"- Paul Mooney, comedian

"Cubans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans....ain't nothing but niggas that can swim..."- Paul Mooney

"The Mexicans just got their niggas wake up call too !!!"- Paul Mooney

Are Mexicans "white" or "brown?"
by Amber Arellano

"Some readers are asking whether Mexicans are "white" or "brown," as I wrote recently.

My colleague Manny Lopez answers: Yes. To both, that is. He says it depends upon what you're asking -- the color of the person's skin? Or their cultural identity?

My personal answer: depends upon the person, their own identity, background, experience and belief system.

Ethnic and racial concepts are very different in Mexico and Latin America, where such identities and ethnic boundaries are more fluid. This became evident when the U.S. Census 2000 showed that Latinos were increasingly reporting themselves as "other," or mixed race. Of course, many Hispanic Americans also chose to identify themselves as "white" and "black," too.

American perceptions of race and ethnicity are also at play here. Some people say, "Hispanics are just like other immigrant groups." However, traditionally, many Americans have viewed Hispanics differently than other immigrant groups, stemming from old and outdated notions of racial hierarchy.

For example, U.S. public opinion research from the late 1990s shows that among Americans of European descent who were interviewed anonymously, about 50 percent said they view both white people of pure European descent as being "superior" to both Hispanics and African Americans. They did not report that sentiment regarding other ethnic groups.

The good news is, that percentage has dropped considerably since the 1950s.

The bad news is, 50 percent is still a lot of people -- and research finds that their notions of superiority influence their support for public policies, such as investing in education for African American children.

In terms of American equality in thought, treatment and behavior, we still have a long way to go. "

- from http://info.detnews.com/blogs/bloggers.cfm?id=arellano&blogid=779