Why is it that when I say...?

Wendy C

I agree that a lot of people are ignorant (as you can easily tell by some of the responses here), but some people are scared to ask in fear of offending someone. That doesn't excuse them for stereotyping, though. And honestly most Americans couldn't any more place Colombia on a map than Lebanon.

Rain

I've noticed it too.

Americans are quite ignorant when it comes to Latin America.

cuzn deb

Ignorant ?

or misinformed ? or maybe just uninformed

AMERICA allows you to represent your nationality - on your shirt , car , house anywhere you like . So - Let the people if we don't know

(peacefully please)

Just

I don't know why people are like this. This also happens to me, so don't worry. Just ignore their ignorance.

fartman

people in the U.S don't even like themself

hhabilis

People for the most part are not able to understand things (in this case, ethnicity and race) without putting new data into perspective by using old data. The issue you name are the same in Europe, the Middle East, Asia. In fact you lumped me and everyone else into the group of people you complain about.

During the Crusades all Europeans were Franks (meaning French) or worse, irrespective of where they came from. Now many assume all Americans are blood thirsty (just look through some of the questions in this forum....). Wasn't the case, isn't the case. The Franks called the Middle Easterners Saracens (or worse.

I was in the military for almost a decade, and terminated military service as a result of injury. In every country I lived/traveled in, I had people assume that my opinions, thoughts and political beliefs were the same as whomever was in the White House.

What you, I, all of us should be doing is focusing on how and what we have in common. We should also figure out how take things in stride more.

meathead76

Because that's the flavor of the month right now for ignorant rednecks. Don't take it personally, just tell yourself that they're a bunch of tards.

Early 90's, I went to Tennessee for a couple weeks. Everyone there thought I was Puerto Rican or "something"- as they said. Ha- I'm just a native Floridian with a good tan.

Bottom line- People are idiots. Hell with 'em.

monogamyisgolden

I'm with Rain on this one. I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood and I don't know how many of my Hispanic friends (usually of Honduran and Guatemalan descent) have complained about the exact same issue. Ignorance is a sad thing!

chataazul

Yup, unfortunately many United Statenians have gone dumb or stuck on stupid. No te dejes, tu diles que eres Colombiana o Arabe y ya.

norcal

I know what you mean... people ask me if I`m Filipino or Hawaiian.. I used to get so mad. now that I`m grown up I just laugh and tell them what I am " American"

hisonlyneedisaspanking

People base things on previous observations.

PANCHA

I getcha I get called an illegal all the time because I support the illegal immigrants.Or they think I am an "anchor baby".I'm an American ppl,ok.We need to stop labeling ppl,we are all human beings.

morning breath

They call it branding, amigo/sadiq! It's like making common nouns into proper nouns.
American is now popularly interpreted as something to do with or citizen of the United States wherein technically American should cover the whole American continent.
Take this: Xerox copy for photocopy where the copy where made from a Konica copier. Kodak for cameras or pictures, Colgate for toothpaste etc.

cindy s

I think it is because so many are from Mexico, and dont stop to think, We have had such a problem this is their first thought

ladyvirgo

Because we haven't been exposed enough to determine the difference. In todays society we often learn to ask where Hispanics are from. Sometimes their accent or dialect may clue a person in , if they are familiar With the current world situation , whenever people mention Middle eastern , the first thing that comes to mind is Iraqi. I can understand your frustration but use this opportunity to give people an education on geography and different groups of said cultures. The Hispanic population has exploded so much in the US that we have no way of knowing one group from the other unless we are educated and you shoud be the first to say that all Mexicans, Middle Easterners or whatevers are not illegal

toughguy2

You are not very clear about your expectations. I don't assume anything and I'm not ignorant. I don't really care where foreigners come from as I feel it's their responsibilty to make thmselves known to others they meet and not the other way around.

Answerman

Because if you play the odd's most latino's that come here are from Mexico. What has that to do with Americans being ignorant.

illuminatus

If you are in the US, it is because the majority of Hispanics have come from Mexico.

in_lust_no_more

so what are you..columbian or middle eastern

sharpshooter

Since you are upset so easy. Instead of Hispanic, next time tell people you are Colombian,

the moose

you know there is so much more in life to complain about... chinese..japanese..vietnamese..are viewed the same by most people. (africans..african americans..jamaican. haitians) scotch.irish..english)( jordanians./.palestinians..saudi's.) so what the heck...maybe we will all look so much alike we will not know who to discriminate against. what a great day that will be.

One

Who the f*ck cares?? thanks for the 2 points

Panacea

If you look hispanic and speak spanish and 99.99999% of the community you hang out with is mexican, but you are dominican, don't be so surprised if people mistake you for mexican. You'd have to be freaking retarded to expect people from another country to be able to tell the difference.

luvamerica

Who cares?

here spell this.....COLONbia you're pseudo intellectual.

ouskip1998

It is pretty funny that the people who cry the most about labeling based on skin color and country of origin are the same ones that demand that every difference in people be highlighted and celebrated as diversity.

Norcal got it right. Call yourself an American.

You will no longer get your feelings hurt when someone who has never seen your detailed family history, doesn't know which insignificant third-world country you would like to be identified with.

buckeye1943

Go home and then everyone will think you are a native of that country. You all look alike. GO HOME

charles w

nothing else better to complain about? maybe people just don't care about you or like you enough to acknowledge your existence..

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