The Problem with Language

Some years ago I was in a line at a grocery store, and there was a lady ahead of me. She was purchasing a couple boxes of cereal, milk and a few jars of baby food. Behind me in line was a young man and woman and they also had just a few of the basics. As we are all waiting in line patiently to check-out, I heard the man behind me say, “Oh great lets get over into another line she has three vouchers of food stamps or Wic checks. I’m tired of these people that come here to get a free hand out.” I look up to see that he was addressing the method of payment that the woman in front of me was paying for her items. Stunned I along with the checker and woman just stared at the man and this lady friend as they exited the line and into another.

 As all three of us just stood their silently looking at one another my mind started to dismantle in my head this (bleeps) guy’s conversation with his lady friend. He did not say Hispanic but he implied it by insinuating that she was probably from Mexico by stating, “these people that come here.” Yes, she was Hispanic but did he have first hand knowledge that she may be from Mexico? As I looked at the woman I asked if she was alright and with tears in her eyes she said quietly in a barely audible voice, “Yes, thank you.” Then I looked down at my son who was 4 years old and I became infuriated.

But why was I infuriated, his statements were not directed to me. It then really bothered me that this fellow was stereotyping and was discriminating against Hispanics. He was being prejudice by the language he used to direct his obvious disdain of social programs and people that use it. Rather he had drawn the conclusion that Hispanics from Mexico coming into the United States for a free hand out. I was angry because I also was being insulted, because I too am Hispanic.

My ancestors are American Indian and Mexican Indian mixed. My mother’s ancestors are American and Irish mixed. Though to keep things simply I just say, I am Hispanic or Latina. Why is this important? Because many of us today are not just of one particular race nor do we practice one culture. It can be difficult in society today to be seen as just a person or just a person using another method of payment. 

Society sees color and it has always seen the color of someone’s skin to distinguish between races or groups of people. Though we have to look in depth and see why this is a problem today. We are all at fault for propelling this ugly little monster and division in society. Although there are those with a wider net then just one person alone. This is media outlets and how they use language to help create this growing trend in America, that one particular race is the problem for certain economic hardships or groups of people responsible for certain behaviors in a community.

Media outlets are important highways for communication to travel between keeping the public informed though it is also the problem. The media uses certain language to get people hyped, boost ratings and generate a forum of debate. Unfortunately it also creates animosity between the races. Although the media is not forth coming in blatantly stating, “Mexican’s are coming to America to take advantage of programs like food stamps, Medi-care and cash aid. It’s how they use of words that infer such ideas when reporting. This then helps to create stereotypes like, “Mexicans are mostly gardeners and work in the janitorial services. When in reality as stated by Franziska Castillo a writer for Latina Magazine (Sept. 2010 Issue), “In America’s 25 biggest meteropolises, an immigrant is more than likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner.” Castillo obtained such information from the Fiscal Policy Institute, also states, “…half of immigrants hold white-collar-jobs and 11% of them are executives and managers, while just 7% work in food service.”

So why is this important, you may ask? Well first off to help one another recognize that sometimes we all need help at one time or another and it is not one race or group of people or persons. Secondly that we all being to recognize that we are all responsible for the language we use in society. Not just the media but we too need to be aware that we are also helping to contribute to the growth of prejudicial language. Lastly to change what has gotten out hand.