I'm not sure whether I have only noticed it recently, or whether the distinction is actually being used more widely, but I've noticed that in polls and other forms of data where race is important, "Caucasians" or just plain old "white people" has been replaced by "Non-Hispanic whites". I think I prefer the new phrase, to be honest. It's something I can point to when people try to guilt me for making other people feel their non-Whiteness so acutely just by virtue of my White presence. I can say, "But I'm excluded too, now. I'm a non-Hispanic white!"
And "Non-Hispanic" is how I often feel. My parents remarked, when they landed at the Ontario airport two miles from my house, that there were a lot fewer minorities getting off the planes there than at LAX. True, Rancho Cucamonga is pretty typically white and suburban. But we live in what you could accurately describe as an hispanic ghetto of the area. There are two stores within short walking distance that advertise hand-made tortillas, and immigrant workers (all Hispanic every time I've passed by them) line up for day labor at a government trailer two streets north.
I would really like living in an Hispanic area if it wasn't for the completely inexplicable glares of hostility that I get from people sometimes. I'm talking about the ones I get when I'm not driving (those could definitely be explained away). For example, last night I dropped into the Jax Market down the street for the first time. Josh needed NyQuil, and it's the closest grocery store to us. I was definitely the only Non-Hispanic White in the place, and, boy, was I made to feel it. I got a glare for saying excuse me to get around someone. The cashier made it very plain that it was an inconvenience to speak English to me by sighing, raising her eyebrows all of the time, and trying to make out like she didn't speak English very well, even though her accent was almost flawless. I would have tried my rusty Spanish, but if you read a posting on my blog from a few weeks ago, you'll know how well that's worked for me in the past.
Maybe I'm looking back with rose-colored glasses, but I don't really recall people being so openly hostile to me in Guatemala. Yeah, we were targetted for unusually high pricing at the market and probably more-frequent-than-average thefts, but people didn't glare at me in the street or at the store. Most people at least gave the appearance of being friendly. And I always had the impression that any weirdness or staring was more because I was a foreigner than because of my race. Most Guatemalans I knew were happy that I was interested in their culture, although they were definitely amused by my Spanish and my attempts to learn to tortillar. Yet here I am, in the U.S., with other Americans getting mad at me for being in their grocery store. Some of whom, I might add, have probably spent less time in Central America than I have.
It doesn't make me mad or anything. I just don't get it, and I wish there was something I could do about it.
Posted by waltondammerung at July 19, 2004 7:13 PMSmile sweetly and move on. That's all you can do about it.
And when did "guilt" become a verb?
Posted by: Mom at July 21, 2004 2:10 AMnon-hispanic whites means that Latinos don't want (celt-)Iberians to be called Hispanic. All part and parcel of Mexico ('Aztlan') trying to seize its 'proud Aztec ancestry' ... although I'm not exactly sure if sacrificing tens of thousands of people at once and deleting cities off the face of the ancient world is all that worthy to be proud of ...
Posted by: prosp3ct at July 21, 2004 10:31 AMI disagree. Smiling sweetly and moving on is not the best plan of action. Neither is verbing "guilt". Increased border patrol and immigration enforcement is the best way to pre-emptively deter communities of non-naturalized, non-assimilated, American-hating Hispanics, Iberian or not. And a little education never hurt much, either. I'm not jingoistic, I swear.
Posted by: Sean at July 23, 2004 8:10 PMMaybe you just got a taste of what non-white people of all ages go through on the day to day basis, ignorance here in the U.S and in China is the same? (No-excuse for what was done to you though!) This should only make you more cautious as to what hurts people. I am a Hispanic, I actually prefer American/Mexican. Since I was born to this land and have proud Mexican heritage. Although the Aztecs sacrificed and deleted many cities, they also lived and prospered as a whole, mastered astronomy, built vast temples and co-existed with the environment, believed in unity for the good of the whole Aztec people not just the top 10%, and of course if we look into history you can not deny all races have committed atrocities not just the Aztecs. If any I blame people that pass on hate and non-tolerant views, in behalf of those people that cannot grasp difference which I think is beautiful I apologies but let's not slander a whole race that is just a big misunderstanding. Example - my mother rest in peace, raised me around kids of all ethnicities that were taken into my home and raised as if they were part of our own family, which they were! Let the good that is in you surpass the ignorance and enlightened people. I had a similar experience in Chinatown, but I also had good experiences and I concentrate my thought on the good. If I were to see you in my neighborhood I would no doubt greet you well. Incidents like this happen because we all seclude ourselves from each other and don't co-exist. Only education and tolerance will end the hate seeds imbedded in our fragile minds and hearts. One unity!!!! (no matter how anyone sees you, still you go to a loving home and good life, so let people be consumed by there own hate ultimately you will still be around tomorrow and the day after.)
Posted by: D-concern at October 20, 2004 11:37 AMIf you could tell they were "Hispanic" just by looking at them, it's because they weren't exactly white. *That* was the idea behind adding the distinction to the polls: to not let anybody who's a bit Indio get away with calling themselves "white", Heaven forbid.
In any case, your comma before "Swan" is much appreciated. It's how I got to your page in the first place. Good day to you, and Happy 2007. :)
Posted by: Acevedo at October 5, 2007 12:55 PM