Beaner. Are you offended by the term?

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Permalink Reply by JP on August 1, 2009 at 4:44am

Good topic. I really never put that much thought into the term Beaner. I tell you, it has been a while since I have heard it used. I guess it would depend on how a person receives the term and how it is used. For example, if a famous comedian, let's say George Lopez uses it, we would probably laugh. But, if it is used as an insult then those whom receive could react in a whole different way.
Politically incorrect? Are we really still using this type of thinking? How about we replace it with, "Treat others the way you want to be treated."

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Permalink Reply by Armando Sosa-Jacott on August 3, 2009 at 8:13am

Thanks for your input!

When I first heard the term I found it quite funny. After all I'm Mexican and the typical Mexican diet consists of tortillas and beans!

Most people easily give away control of their response by putting the negative emotional load on words themselves. A better way of thinking could be doing what comedian Carlos Mencia does.. just laugh it off!

Have a great week!

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Permalink Reply by odessa on August 4, 2009 at 7:51am

Personally, I think it was degrading for this person to allow anyone to call him "beaner." Any time we say it is OK to do something unto ourselves, whether it be calling us names, or touching us in any way, we degrade ourselves, and our ethnicity. No -- beaner is not a good label to put on yourself. This person might as well have been a "been-er." He's been there and back and wants to continue in the same place.

Let us be proud of our heritage, not put it down.

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Permalink Reply by J Antonio Santiago M on September 9, 2009 at 12:12pm

I think that Latino is about the geographic area, and Hispanic is limited with the language.

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Permalink Reply by Rogelio Orta on September 12, 2009 at 5:52pm

It's demeaning and does not correspond to today's society. I literally take offense at anybody calling me by that term. We all need to treat and demand to be treated with respect.

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Permalink Reply by Armando Sosa-Jacott on September 14, 2009 at 12:25pm

Thanks for your post Rogelio. I've told some of my friends about this term and opinions are incredibly divided. Half of them concur with you and some others just say it all depends on the tone and intention.

Anyhow, thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Aracely Valadez on October 19, 2009 at 5:01pm

Beaner is just a word even if meant offensively. like my mom always said "if the shoe fits.." if you take that word to be offensive then you will be offended. As for me, I could care less, as long as I know where I stand and am comfortable with who I am, beaner is just a word.

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Permalink Reply by Armando Sosa-Jacott on October 20, 2009 at 7:19am

My mom used to tell me the same thing!

I really think it very much has to do with the power you give to a simple word.

All the best Aracely!

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Permalink Reply by Juan Illas on October 20, 2009 at 11:14am

I agree, call me what ever you would like. I know what I am and I also know that I will never deny my race or culture.

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Permalink Reply by Juan Illas on October 20, 2009 at 11:20am

I also agree that what we give attention does indeed manifest. We as the adult Latino/Hispanic population she be uniting every minute of the day. Forget what they say about us today, because tomorrow is another day and most will be forgotten. Let us all strive for a better future making the path not only for ourselves but for our children.
Let us achieve together and today where many have failed. Remember achievement is the result of always trying your hardest and NEVER giving up.

Juan Illas

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Permalink Reply by John L. J. Romero on October 22, 2009 at 4:46am

Over a year ago, I met a person here in Hawaii, when we first moved here. The gentleman was a Latino from Mexico, him and his mother had moved to Hawaii, and had work visa's, he was attending the University, he made mention he had gotten a dog and had named it "Bean-er".

I told him how offensive that was, to Mexicans, here in the United States. I worker for a former company in Colorado where I was one of many who promoted Diversity Development, I told him it was wrong to exploit the Latino community by condoning a racist word. He told me that it was funny, and none of his other friend's found it offensive, his other friends I met later were all white,they thought it was funny as well,

Being really upset about the naming of a dog "Bean-er" showed little respect for his culture, one a dog, two a racial slur, and three lack of respect for others who grew up with these names as apart of our lives and the struggle we as a culture had experience in the 60's and still now sometimes!

I can remember seeing a sign as a young man in a restaurant window "No Mexicans or Dogs allowed" in Southern Colorado, mid sixty's.

He would not change the name, I told him I could not be friends with anyone who would allow himself to use such a word full of hate and disgust.

He said I was the one with the hangup, and for being born here I walk around with a chip on my shoulder, that I was guilty for not being a strong Latino who could not see it as just a word. That by doing this he was more excepting in mainstream America and that is why we (Latinos in America) have it so hard, because we find to many thing offensive, he said that is why we as a culture will never evolve as driving force in the United States we will always be 2nd class citizens, like our elders. Its our time to make the change to mainstream.

For a college guy what a crock of Poo! He's the type of person I grew up knowing as a sell out, Brown on the outside white on the inside. I'm a proud Mexican and American I know with my college education I still haven't sold out to be a part of the mainstream. By condoning this what are we telling our children, its okay to make fun of your culture to fit in, that's called being a token!

Its not just a word, its just as bad as the "N" word or the "F" word or any other word used to discount a race or a culture, shame on people for condoning the use of this words.

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Permalink Reply by Armando Sosa-Jacott on October 22, 2009 at 8:20am

Thanks for the reply John! I do concur with the guy in Hawaii, nevertheless I very much appreciate and respect your point of view.

As you can see the opinions in the subject are quite diverse, more food for more thought!

Thanks again!

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