I was a little insensitive today.

Alena3883

This girl at work today told me Happy Mexican Mother's Day! My response was...."Umm, you know I am American right?" Yes, I understand why she said it, and I love my ethnical roots, but lets face it- I was born and raised in America. I love the fact that my mother is from El Salvador and my biological father is "Mexican", but I didn't grow up in either or those countries so it would be unfair to say that my cultural outlook reflects those who were raised and or live in those countries. Yes, I made it into something it's not- and I admit it was a little insensitive since she was just trying to be nice. I just wonder sometimes...

Maribel_1986

....You should have just said Thank You :indifferent:

Maribel_1986

I don't think she said it for you specifically, I'm sure she said it because May 10th is Mother's Day in Mexico... Not because you are a Mexican Mother...

Contrarian

Happy Mexican Mother's Day! :flowerforyou:

clarkeje1

You could have said "Actually I'm American but thanks for thinking of me." Can't do anything about it now since its already been said but oh well. Yeah she was ignorant to the situation but she didn't know. Its all good.

Maribel_1986

Happy Mexican Mother's Day! :flowerforyou:

:happy:

sparkle814

I hear ya, girl. I am a little touchy about stuff like that too. I'm sure your co-worker meant well but her good intentions were a little ill-informed it sounds like.

RaeLB

No matter how many "races"/ethnicities are represented in North America, "white" is still normative. For example, "white" people are never asked "where are you from?", yet "people of colour" are asked this all the time, implying "white" = from North America (even though "white" people are also settlers on this land), & "people of colour" = immigrants (no matter how long they, or their relatives, have been in the country). I don't think you are being overly sensitive. In one of my undergrad classes on transnationalism we discussed this. Most of the class were "people of colour" and many of them were saying how people always ask them "where are you from?" and they reply "Toronto" (our city) and then people say "No, where are you REALLY from?", i.e. the implication that you cannot be fully North American if your skin isn't "white". I think the same goes for cultural roots. People never expect me to express Irish, Scottish and German cultural traditions. I guess there is this notion that "people of colour" are, or should be, enacting the culture of their ancestors. I think she was being nice but I think your feelings are fair because they probably stem from society treating you and telling you that you don't quite belong, or you're not fully American.

cassylee

I understand but mine is with my speech. Sometimes, I have difficulty speaking or communicating. So some times insensitive people tease me a little and I snap. However, later I go up to them and appologies for snapping and tell them that I am very sensitive in that area and please dont do that again. Most are fine and we get along better than we did before.

If it happens ago, I will not appologise.

BinaryPulsar

I don't think it was ill informed. Just because you were raised in America, there is no reason for her to assume that you were not exposed to your heritage cultures within your family and even if you hadn't been it was just a kind and light hearted gesture. I don't really understand what the issue is. I could only see you having an issue with it if she does stuff stuff like that all the time and in an annoying way or if it brings up bad memories/feelings for you. Sometimes certain holidays can bring up difficult things for people.