why are mexicans called wet backs?
550414
Illegal immigrants have to swim thru the river to get to the U.S. they usually carry their belongings in plastic bags so when they cross the river they don't get wet. When they succesfuly crossed to the U.S. side they change and they rapidly scramble to hide from the border patrol. I used to see them do that because my daughter used to live closer to where the river was located. I had always told her to move from there because you never know what kind of people they are. And thank God she finally did.
553997
Seems like you are using the term "latin" in the old and original context, that is, someone with roman heritage or to be more particular, someone from Lacio. If the average mexican used the term with that meaning, it's very likely he'd be wrong.\n\nAnyway, the meaning of the term "latino" (latin), as used today in Latin-america, means someone who's born in a country with a language derived from latin. You can check that meaning in the dictionary of the Real Academy of the Spanish Language, it has other meanings as well and it all depends the context and region where it’s used.\n\nSo, when someone "happily" claim to be "latin" (a mexican in this case), means his/her roots are in a country where the native language is a romance language and I can tell you that's the usual way the term is used among mexicans. I live among "latins" and they claim to be that, they don't claim to be full (or half) blooded italians, they'd usually recognize themselves as mestizos from a racial point of view.\n\nSo, when someone is looking for a "latin" look, it'd be good to know what he means by a "latin" look, since different meanings are accepted in the spanish language. Antonio Banderas, as far as I remember, has usually played characters that imply a spanish heritage.\n\nMy feelings is that sometimes the meanings of the term “latin” are ignored, and when the meaning taken is that used centuries ago, the results can be very misleading. The problem I find is the different meanings of the word are sometimes ignored. I wouldn't be surprised that a mexican denied that italians are "latins" just by ignorance of the other meanings of the word. I think what's important is to know exactly how the term is used by the speaker and in what context it's used rather than taking the word as it had only one meaning.\n\nThose are my feelings as a mexican that happens to have some italian heritage (apart from spanish and arabic) and is aware about how his mexican pals use the word "latin".
365897
my wife has that problem, everyone calls her mexican. mexican is a nationality not a race. wife's father is apache and her mother is from spain.
87282
I'm not Mexican, but a friend of mine's family goes back in this country to 17th-Century New Mexico.  One of her uncles, an academic and activist, was involved in the social consciousness movement of Mexican-Americans in the 1960s - and actually helped coin the term Chicano.\n\nSo, no problemo.
1108394
I've always wondered that too.  I've noticed that more people from the south call them waterbugs.  I call those little armadillo bugs water bugs and freak people out when I say I had one in my house.  :)
946957
Hi, Apparently they do have something to prove if their peers think of them the way you do.  You are stereotyping by saying all Mexicans drink and womanize.  Those characteristics can be found in all races and all nationalities, including yours.  I think it is very racist and prejudicial to think like you do.  I feel sorry for you and hope that you can someday be more compassionate with  people of all races.
670540
Swimming across the Rio Grande from Mexico to Texas gave them a ----------- wetback
1131956
Because it is a lot harder for Africans to get here since they have an ocean to swim across, not just a river and a border to jump on foot.  Also, they are truly more poor than Mexicans and Central Americans, so they don't have any money to even attempt to cross over illegally, whereas the Mexicans and Central Americans do, even the poor ones can scrape a few pesos and limperas together to buy food and bribes on their way up.
999374
Latin America, that's why they are called latinos and latinas
729150
Americans are how we from the United States are formally known throughout the world.  In my travels to England and Germany I always wrote my nationality as "American".  If I had written "United Statesian they would have laughed and asked me to correct it.  When Europeans refer to our country they call it "America".  No other country seems to have a problem with this but Mexico.  The misnomer "United Statesian" comes from the Spanish "estadounidense", an immigration term which replaced "norteamericano" ("North American, another incorrect immigration term for us).  \n\nMany Mexicans argue that Mexico is part of the American continent so they have the right to be called American too.  Well, they´ll run into problems if they travel out of the country if they put "American" as their nationality instead of "Mexican".  If you go to Europe you will never find a French person insisting that you call them "European".\n\nThis "United Statesian" ridiculousness is just a result of Mexico´s purported hatred of us, yet hypocrisy in their strive to be more like us by calling themselves Americans too.
994983
we wont give wetbacks amnesty!!! and we would never sponge off them because we are not a low life country. we dont reck our governent and try to ruin others. if my neighbor had a nicer house food and mor $$ i wouldnt demand the right to live there or for him to feed my family so why the heck to the mexicans expect the us to do that
159186
mm they come from all over mexico. All mexicans aren't the same. So diverse. Adjectives are relative
542912
PANCHA - Que?  No Drain?  Es Su Loco??  These illegals do not pay taxes, yet they take free services such as indigent care from the hospitals, etc....THAT IS WHAT IS CALLED A DRAIN.\n\nThey also take money they earn and send it to mexico.....THAT IS A DRAIN!  \n\nWhy not think with your head instead of your heart.
153617
NO!!!!,YOUR SO WRONG!,IT MEANS "UNITED STATES OF MEXICO",WICH IS THE OFFICIAL NAME OF MEXICO,"ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS",NOT THAT USA BELONGS TO MEXICO.
1164492
Yes, this is a yahoo war because I am totally against illegals right to work in the United States and every AMERICAN, it does not matter what race, should feel the same.\n\n But, however I do like tequila!! And usually end up on the floor!!\n\nBOOBOOLUBEAR, THAT HAPPENS IN OTHER COUNTRIES TOO!!!DUH!!! AMERICANS CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT TO BECAUSE WE PAY FOR THAT RIGHT TO BEAR CHILDREN AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN. THE MEXICAN GOVT DOES NOT SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILY!!!!!
308324
Because he's Mexican.
1055674
Im mexican, I dont really look it so I dont get confused very often.. but here is what you need to know.. central america was pretty much all one culture before the spanish came.. from yucatan (mexico ) to panama.. there were the mayans.. in central mexico there were aztecs and similar cultures.\n\nPeople who live in these places can tell you the others are sooo different, and the way they talk.. soo different.. but in a way is the same difference as americans say west and east coast people are so different.. \n\nBut to offend people by calling them mexicans when they are from guatemala is not because of their culture.. its because their national pride