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Proyecto Visión 21

Old anti-immigrant arguments are now used in new contexts

Last week I went to a well-known bookstore, part of a national chain, to buy a book written by Anthony De Mello. To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, I spelled the last name of author for the employee who offered to find the book for me. Moments later, the employee brought me a book in Spanish written by “Antonio Romero” (I do not know who he is.)

I told the employee I was not the book I wanted, because I wanted a book by De Mello written in English. Faking a smile, the employee began to say, “What happens is that since you are Hispanic…”

He never finished the sentence. There was no need to do it. I am sure he thought Latinos only read Latino books, and having a Latino asking for a book in English written by a Jesuit priest in India was too much to compute for his brain.

This employee used the old tactic, also used by countless more, of seeking refuge inside his own stereotypes and prejudices, not even allowing a speck of reality inside his closed-minded approach to Latinos.

Because of my work, last week I had to call a well-know company in Denver. The receptionist answered the phone in Spanish, so I began to speak Spanish. After just a few words, she interrupted me and said she could not understand me because she spoke only English.

I immediately switched to English and began to explain the reason for my call. She interrupted me again, telling me there was no Spanish-speaking person at the office at that moment. She then asked me to call later and ask for a Spanish-speaking person.

I was still trying to explain the reason for my call when I heard “click,” probably because this person was unable to the stereotype Latinos only speak Spanish and if they speak English they don’t do it very well.

A third example. A few weeks ago, I went to a certain college in Denver to ask for information about enrollment in adult programs, not for me, but for a group of professional Latinos who, after completing their studies in other areas, now wanted to begin a second career.

I called in advance to schedule the meeting. When I arrived to this particular college, I was surprised (but just a little) to learn I will only speak with a Latino person, not with the person in charge of admissions.

Once again, because I am Latino, people assume (wrongly so) I will only read Latino books, speak only Spanish, and talk only with other Latinos.

Why these old stereotypes and arguments are now being recycled and used once again? Because the economic and social crisis in the country has led many anti-immigrant groups and individuals to disseminate their usual arguments, this time using mainstream online sites.

This nonsense will continue as long as there are people more concerned about the bug mark on their windshield than about raising the eyes to see the road ahead.

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