DEAR MEXICAN: Why are we put down by our own people for being educated and articulate (I've been called gabacho, and I'm as brown as the next guy), while the anglos accept us for being smart? I work in Santa Ana as a high school teacher and am considered very good at what I do, but when I meet with Mexican parents, it almost borders on mistrust. What is it—envy, paranoia, jealousy?
Smart Mexican-American Reading Teacher Asking Serious Stuff
DEAR GABACHO: Don't flatter yourself too much, SMARTASS Wab. Anti-intellectualism is rampant in American life—witness this country electing Dubya as president for two terms, liberals slobbering over Hillary Clinton, and conservatives elevating Michelle Malkin and Hugh Hewitt to sabios when the thinking part of this country rightfully relegates them to pendejo pendejos. But tell you what: You're enlightened, so guide those dumb hater Mexicans to the light. Let them know the only way ahead in this country is to be educated and articulate—and then guide them to me instead of your arrogant ass.
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DEAR MEXICAN: When I'm around my workers, I keep hearing “camote,” and they are not speaking about yams. What is the slang use of that word?
The Gabacho From Sylmar
DEAR GABACHO: Usually, it means penis; every once in a while, it can mean a cerote, which is a turd. Ain't Mexican Spanish slang grand?
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DEAR MEXICAN: I know they're biased, and I've no doubt only the most incendiary shots were used, but I was watching YouTube last night, and there were a lot of videos concerning the amnesty marches of a couple of years ago. Naturally one-sided, I still couldn't help but notice two recurring themes: One was Mexicans burning, stomping and desecrating the American flag. Another was Mexicans consistently using the terms racist or Nazi to describe American citizens, born or naturalized, who oppose amnesty. Certainly, sympathy for the cause was not a goal of this march. What is your take on that?
Old Glory Gary
DEAR GABACHO: I've been to immigration protests at which Know Nothings assaulted peaceful protesters and burned the Mexican flag. I've seen immigration protests at which gabachas called little kids “cockroaches” and “savages” and gabachos menaced college students. I've seen immigration protests at which Know Nothings spewed all sorts of modern-day blood libel on Mexicans, with little fear of reprisal. I agree that burning American flags ain't going to win anyone over to amnesty, but at least the only people on our side who support such moves are indigenazis and yaktivists who grow out of it. Your side, on the other hand, not only condones the boorishness of your worst Know Nothings—but also elects them again and again to office because of those tactics. Or do you think the only reason Arizona's Sheriff Joe Arpaio has stayed in office so long is because of his good looks?
