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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mexican-themed NYE party - racist, right?

491 replies

BobLobla · 05/11/2022 13:20

Just been invited by very good friends to their NYE party which promises to have a Mexican theme and everyone must wear a long droopy moustache and a sombrero. Already I am cringing as I think this is pretty racist. Don't think I’ll go… but do I say something privately to my friends about the fact that this seems really off? Do I just dip out and not say anything to avoid awkwardness?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:11

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:07

Heres what DNA tests have shown:

47% are “White” Mexicans, ones with predominantly European ancestors
25% are Mestizo, who share a mixture of indigenous and European ancestors
21.5% are Indigenous, with predominantly indigenous ancestors

The remainder come from various ethnicities, including Asian, African, and Middle Eastern ancestors

It’s important to note that these are biological classifications, based on genetic tests. In cultural terms, as many as 90% of Mexicans consider themselves Mestizo.
www.smarterhobby.com/genealogy/mexican-ancestry-dna-results/

"Predominantly" i.e. >50% European ancestry would not be considered "white" in most of the West - as I say, 60% European ancestry, 30% native, and 10% African is white by your definition - and the definition of the study.

Tulipomania · 05/11/2022 16:14

On the basis that GBBO got a lot of criticism for their stereotypical Mexican-themed week I would say, yes, it is a bit racist. I think Top Gear have also been criticised for this.

But if you decide to go I suggest you dress as Frida Kahlo.

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:16

Coyoacan · 05/11/2022 15:57

Most white people are of mixed descent

As are most Native Mexicans, so where is the race and how are you deciding who is white or not? Is there a colour chart for this sort of thing?

As for you nineteenth century division of races, I'm speechless. Do you know that a lot of the native Mexican groups are neither genetically nor linguistically related to other native Mexican groups?

Race, going by DNA tests. They update the % as they test more people.

Yes I know a lot of Amerindian ethnicities are very diverse genetically and linguistically. As are white ethnicities, as are black African ethnicities as are Asian ethnicities, etc

There is more diversity within each race than between them genetically speaking. Thats why race is a construct. An arbitrary line on a spectrum of shared genetics

But if people are going bang on about “white people” (use that construct of race). Have no choice but to say, hey Mexican isn’t a race. Plenty of white people are Mexican.

I travelled extensively throughout Mexico when I lived in New Mexico from 1996-2000.

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:20

ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:11

"Predominantly" i.e. >50% European ancestry would not be considered "white" in most of the West - as I say, 60% European ancestry, 30% native, and 10% African is white by your definition - and the definition of the study.

Well, yes, culturally the move is to distance yourself from whiteness as much as possible, if your physical appearance allows for it.

LookAtThatCritter · 05/11/2022 16:23

The world has gone mad. It’s ridiculous to be offended about something like that.

LK1972 · 05/11/2022 16:23

Guiltycat · 05/11/2022 15:45

Who are you calling miss, white boy?

What does his race have to do with it?

It's always slightly breath-taking to witness the venom and hypocrisy of those who believe every single thought they have or express is virtuous.

This, plus calling everyone else stupid whilst spouting CRT, lol

DoraSpenlow · 05/11/2022 16:25

I'm sorry, I don't get this at all.

How will someone having a Mexican themed party in Tunbridge Wells significantly impact in a negative way the lives of people in Mexico?

Would you be mortally offended if a group of friends in Mexico had an English themed party with people dressing in pin-striped trousers or as Morris men, or whatever, and drinking warm beer?

It's just a party ffs, not a let's all kill Mexicans rally.

secretllama · 05/11/2022 16:26

LookAtThatCritter · 05/11/2022 16:23

The world has gone mad. It’s ridiculous to be offended about something like that.

Agree... I think things like this actually just push people away from the left, I am really becoming disillusioned with it all.

TreadLight · 05/11/2022 16:26

"It's just a party ffs, not a let's all kill Mexicans rally"

Governments fall because of parties

MarmadukeSpillageEsquire · 05/11/2022 16:28

This thread is brilliant. It's got it all:

"Snowflakes"!
"Offended"!
Random bloke!
Whataboutery!
Trans!
"Some of my best friends are _"!
The insistence that everyone absolutely HAS to PICK A SIDE RIGHT NOW and never ever deviate from its script or [shudder] change their mind about anything!

The whole thing perfectly embodies the spirit of the cry-laugh emoji.

Well played, OP. Well played.

Terven · 05/11/2022 16:30

I wouldn’t bother me at all as long as it’s not done in a spiteful way. I’ll happily plat my hair too.

ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:31

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:20

Well, yes, culturally the move is to distance yourself from whiteness as much as possible, if your physical appearance allows for it.

That is a very typically Mexican thing, what with the revival of indigenous pride movements starting in the 60s (interestingly, and relevantly, this movement began in the US).

In the rest of Latin America it's very common to identify as "white". When I was in Colombia, my friends told me they thought of themselves as white and even as part of the West (!).

I was also surprised by how little in common they thought themselves to have with the indigenous - considering them wholly separate despite themselves being of significant native ancestry, and despite sharing the same nation.

Other Latin American nations with "native pride" are typically far more indigenous i.e. Peru, Bolivia.

Then at the other end you have Argentina, which is stereotypically very proud of their almost-entire descent from European immigrants: "los argentinos descendemos de los barcos" as the saying goes.

Latin America is a truly fascinating place - it's just a shame that English people's sole interaction with it is through hectoring, whining Americans.

But hey, remember this: if you do choose to visit Latin America guys, there's one big advantage; no British women!

PinkSyCo · 05/11/2022 16:32

God it’s just a bit of fun. I’m just surprised people like you get invited to any parties at all!

Arayes · 05/11/2022 16:37

Scianel · 05/11/2022 15:54

Better than calling me white british, as a pp offensively assumed

What's wrong with being white British, given that it's a British-based website that's offense you were seriously determined to find.

It's pretty fucking offensive to assume British equals White, obviously.

But no surprise you wouldn't get that. A thread full of racists and racist apologisers.

Just a bit of fun though, isn't it? Blackface, offensive stereotyping, just a bit of fun for the Brits, and not enjoying offensive bollocks is being a fun sponge.

ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:38

Arayes · 05/11/2022 16:37

It's pretty fucking offensive to assume British equals White, obviously.

But no surprise you wouldn't get that. A thread full of racists and racist apologisers.

Just a bit of fun though, isn't it? Blackface, offensive stereotyping, just a bit of fun for the Brits, and not enjoying offensive bollocks is being a fun sponge.

So true

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:39

ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:31

That is a very typically Mexican thing, what with the revival of indigenous pride movements starting in the 60s (interestingly, and relevantly, this movement began in the US).

In the rest of Latin America it's very common to identify as "white". When I was in Colombia, my friends told me they thought of themselves as white and even as part of the West (!).

I was also surprised by how little in common they thought themselves to have with the indigenous - considering them wholly separate despite themselves being of significant native ancestry, and despite sharing the same nation.

Other Latin American nations with "native pride" are typically far more indigenous i.e. Peru, Bolivia.

Then at the other end you have Argentina, which is stereotypically very proud of their almost-entire descent from European immigrants: "los argentinos descendemos de los barcos" as the saying goes.

Latin America is a truly fascinating place - it's just a shame that English people's sole interaction with it is through hectoring, whining Americans.

But hey, remember this: if you do choose to visit Latin America guys, there's one big advantage; no British women!

Yes each part of Latin America is quite distinct, as are regions within the larger countries, especially Brazil and Mexico imho. It’s vast and you sound much more well travelled than I. I’ve only really spent serious time in Mexico and Brazil, and lived in New Mexico on the US/Mexico border. I’ve holidayed to Panama and Columbia but that’s really not enough to comment on culture because you’re in a tourist bubble.

ElFusilado · 05/11/2022 16:42

Discovereads · 05/11/2022 16:39

Yes each part of Latin America is quite distinct, as are regions within the larger countries, especially Brazil and Mexico imho. It’s vast and you sound much more well travelled than I. I’ve only really spent serious time in Mexico and Brazil, and lived in New Mexico on the US/Mexico border. I’ve holidayed to Panama and Columbia but that’s really not enough to comment on culture because you’re in a tourist bubble.

I am yet to go to Brazil! That's a whole other kettle of fish I think.

Yeah, there's also the fact that - as I suspect is the case with those who've travelled to LatAm in this thread - that a lot of Western tourists just stay in a resort surrounded by other Westerners being waited on by English-speaking staff.

And I don't blame them, because Latin America can even be quite dangerous - but I do think it is a shame.

Theluggage15 · 05/11/2022 16:43

Just don’t go, I’m sure no one will be bothered.

CatWorm · 05/11/2022 16:44

I know this isn’t the point, but my Spanish friends had a stereotypical English fancy dress once. But it was kind of taking the piss out of the fancy dress culture generally. I went as Margaret Thatcher. 😬

We’ve had a few questionable fancy dress scenarios though…

Just don’t go, but I wouldn’t let it be a breakdown of friendship.

mam0918 · 05/11/2022 16:45

The mustache makes it racist.

If I was invited to a mexican party I would expect mexican food (yum) and if fancy maybe a mariachi band, I dont think it would be out of line if someone wore mexican style clothing if done well but no I wouldnt dress as a lazy caracture with a costume mustache.

Non of the mexicans I have known (granted not a huge amount) even had mustaches, I associate mustaches more with Australian friends.

DoraSpenlow · 05/11/2022 16:46

And, in any case, having been to Mexico twice I don't recall any Mexicans walking around in somberos, ponchos and moustashes. That image went out with 1970's westerns. Lots of stalls happily selling somberos to tourists though.

Redkettle · 05/11/2022 16:48

Go as a scouser. Big curly wig and mossy. Fit right in. I'm from Liverpool I won't be offended

NC12345665 · 05/11/2022 16:55

Tulipomania · 05/11/2022 16:14

On the basis that GBBO got a lot of criticism for their stereotypical Mexican-themed week I would say, yes, it is a bit racist. I think Top Gear have also been criticised for this.

But if you decide to go I suggest you dress as Frida Kahlo.

Would drawing a mono brow not be racist though?

Scianel · 05/11/2022 16:55

It's pretty fucking offensive to assume British equals White, obviously.

The UK is a majority-white country. Yes of course not all British people are white and it's possibly a bit of a lazy assumption but my god, how can you muster up the energy to find it actually offensive?

I'm going to ignore the rest of the increasingly wild accusations.

Scianel · 05/11/2022 16:56

Would drawing a mono brow not be racist though?

Plenty of white women have monobrows.

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