I love to share my thoughts and opinions about anything. That's why I've decided to create this blog series about interesting topics.

I will make them each 15 days.

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What does TPM think about: Ethnic stereotypes?

Some may find them offensive, racists and annoying while others don't even care about them.
Whenever people think in Japan or China, they start thinking in rice, the eyes of the people of there and their interesting rituals. When people think in Russia they start thinking in communism. If people think in England they also think in polite and nice people drinking tea.

They're everywhere, we live with them, we have to deal with them. For the ones who haven't already known, I'm from Mexico. Wait, let me guess... You started to think in Mustaches, mariachis, tacos and sombreros :P. Personally, I don't see anything offensive or racist if somebody think we use to wear sombreros, ride horses or about the spanish-mexican accent. I mean, it's part of my culture, Right?
This reminded me a big dilemma about a kickass cartoon, Speedy Gonzales. There are many people that think that character is offensive to mexicans because of the folkloric wearing and the accent he has. But regarding of what people out of Mexico say, we love Speedy Gonzales. I mean, it's a mexican mouse that is smart and fast as hell. Why do people think he's so offensive and racist to us?
Ironically, it's rare finding people here wearing sombreros. Again, it's just a stereotype that we have to live up with but that I don't find it offensive.

Ethnic Stereotypes play an important role in the identity of a country, in my opinion. Yeah, I'm aware there are some that are pointless and offensive. I actually meant decent ones, like the ones I mentioned before.

As a geography lover, I love learning about foreigner cultures. I'm saying this because those kinds of stereotypes are based in them. That's why I don't see most of those stereotypes, offensive at all.

I'd like to say that if you dislike stereotypes about your country, try to think about it, just like I did with the ones I mentioned about my country. Typical wearing, food and accent stereotypes ARE NOT offensive or racist. If other people see them in a racist way then it's their own problem. They're part of your identity and you should be proud about them because ACTUALLY, they aren't stereotypes at all, it's your culture. But if you don't like it, well... you're fucked.

"A culture is made -- or destroyed -- by its articulate voices."
- Ayn Rand