Mexican-themed NYE party - racist, right?

[BobLobla]

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?

Not at all but I think it's interesting that you went straight to insulting me. It's not the best argument really, is it?!

Well yeha probably for english speaking ones with the history.... Yeah.

Just an fyi, other societies may have different opinions and practices and allowances.

So you know, discussing things usually leads to share of information and opinions and development.

YANBU and I’d feel the same as you and refuse to go

But this is one of those MN threads that highlights how far we need to go around racism and cultural appropriation, it’s easy to forget how bigoted some on here are

How can you compare a dressing up outfit with debates over such issues as rape or Brexit this impacts people lives hugely

Mexican people have spoken out on why they find dressing up as the stereotypical Mexican as offence and a mockery why isn’t they enough to think well it seemed fun but I don’t wish to cause offence so I won’t

how does it impact anyones life not to wear this fancy dress to a party for one night it simply doesn’t if in doubt just don’t

want to discuss discrimination and debate the subject of the impact of discrimination listen first to those who are discriminated against have ti say before making up your mind on what you think is discrimination

Does that mean that all those people who come to Scotland and buy tartan clothing/kilts/shawls etc and Hey Jimmy hats are peddling a stereotype of a minority?

You are listening to only one side though. lots of Mexicans also spoke for it and joke about it themselves. Not so long ago stood up for Speedy Gonzales.

No group will ever wholly agree, but both could be discussed

That would be a drag party then?

Are you for fucking real?!

I am Mexican-American.
My father and all four of my grandparents were Mexican Citizens.

You honestly cannot see how fucked up it would be to dress up as a bad stereotype?!

and how does it impact anyone not being able to dress up in a costume for one night

its doesn’t at all

regardless of how split Mexican people are on this or even if they have an opinion on the matter some find it offensive

but if you don’t care about mocking someone then go ahead

Someone will always be offended so shall we all just do nothing to be on the safe side?

Tbh this would be the only solution if we should follow only one side. However hyperbolic that may sound

It’s dressing up for one night

yes I think it’s better to listen to those that expressed why it’s offensive and take that on it doesn’t impact my life to not dress up in a fancy dress outfit that many find offensive does it you PBSam ?

But many Mexicans don't care and seem to like it. Why do they not matter?

Well this thread just ended literally any dress up 😁

Again how does it impact anyone not to wear a fancy dress outfit or doesn’t does it

are you telling me that Mexicans who don’t care are actively encouraging people to wear this outfit ? No they just don’t care or find it offensive

we used to dress up in what we called Red Indian outfits having no knowledge of what was considered offensive now I know different

I used to use the term oriental I was pulled up and I apologised I asked my friend who is from Vietnam if she was offended by it she never heard of this and liked the term but I still stopped using it

I can remember the called debates about p*ki not being offence as it’s just shortening the word for Pakistani and of that is offence then so is Brit 🙄 this was on MN

do we not learn more and take more information on and make decisions then ? That seems to be what many people do

You honestly cannot see how fucked up it would be to dress up as a bad stereotype?!

Meh. I'm in Scotland where, as previously mentioned, the See You Jimmy hats are sold to tourists. I don't see the difference in particular.

I am a proud Mexican-American. My father and all four of my grandparents were Mexican Citizens. I am more than happy to have foreigners APPRECIATE the language, the food, visit the beautiful beaches and cities and the culture, at large.

However, I am appalled that some posters think it's okay to dress up as a very ugly stereotype of Mexican people at a fancy dress event. There are people who dress up as landscapers and maids during Cinco de Mayo here too. They think it's comical but I'm here to tell you that it's OFFENSIVE!

Many Mexican people, such as my grandparents who were migrant workers or my Dad who incidentally had a mustache and was a mariachi musician for 50 years, were humble and did what they could to make a living in a country that has treated them with disrespect. It's disgusting for people in a foreign country to be so disrespectful of them too.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bavarian-Costume/s?k=Bavarian+Costume

This is okay though, right? And if not, why not? What's the difference?

Why is it an ugly stereotype?

@PBSam

To me and many like me, this specific costume of a Mexican man with a mustache, a sombrero and a sarape is actually a caricature portrayed in media, for many years, of Mexicans as lazy, drunk and sleepy.

I am appalled that some posters think it's okay to dress up as a very ugly stereotype of Mexican people

I don't agree it is an ugly stereotype. A cultural cliché perhaps and one best left for Mexicans to use themselves though.

Parents at my dc's ( Mexican) school used to routinely dress their dc in this costume including mustaches on Independence Day.

I didn't dress my dc up in this way because we weren't Mexican and it did seem like appropriation.

However, I am appalled that some posters think it's okay to dress up as a very ugly stereotype of Mexican people at a fancy dress event. There are people who dress up as landscapers and maids during Cinco de Mayo here too. They think it's comical but I'm here to tell you that it's OFFENSIVE

Well THAT is offensive. But that’s not what we are talking about?

My grandmother is Spanish and my grandfather is Ukrainian

I wouldnt be offended if someone dressed up as a Spaniard nor would I be offended if someone dressed up as someone from a slavic tribe 🤷‍♀️

Each to their own. If you want to jump up and down and be appalled by it then that's on you. It wouldnt bother me if someone dressed up as my ancestors

My children are half Irish and dont get offended on st paddys day when people wear ginger flags and dress in green

Like said, some people just like being offended over things

And some just love to offend or just don’t care it’s only a bit of a laugh

let’s totally ignore what elp30 posted because it’s our choice if someone is offended or not 🙄

It is our choice to be offended or not 😅

If she wants to be offended over someone dressing up as her ancestors then she can, if I dont want to be offended over someone dressing up as my ancestors then that's up to me too 🤷‍♀️

I never hear Irish people complaining over people wearing ginger wigs and green outfits, sure if they wanted they could say that's a bad stereotype too 🤦‍♀️