Just some thoughts.

After being here for almost three months, I feel like a lot of Americans have some stuff wrong about Mexico. Don't feel bad if you didn't know some of the stuff on this list. It's likely that the reason it sticks out to me is because I thought the same thing before coming here!

1. Mexicans are very clean. I feel like a lot of white people have this feeling that Mexico and its people are dirty and/or unsanitary. This is completely untrue. As a people, Mexicans are extremely neat, tidy, and germ-conscious.

2. Mexico is not a giant drug factory. This country has a HUGE problem with drugs, don't get me wrong. But number one, keep in mind that Americans are their biggest buyers. We are the source of the problem. And number two, most Mexicans go about their lives coming into as little contact with drugs as you or I do in the States.

3. Mexicans aren't all dirt poor. A large number of them live in nice houses. It's just that the people that are poor are POOR. Think dirt floors and sheets for doors.

I could go on, but those are the three big ones that stick out to me right now. Did any of those surprise you? I want you to take a minute and imagine yourself walking down the street. You see a Mexican man working on a house and you hear him speaking Spanish to the other Mexican workers there. What are your first feelings? Be honest with yourself. Do you wonder if they are living in the United States legally? Or if they're in a gang? Do you feel a little resentment at them having taken a job a white person could've had? Just think about it. And I only say that because all of those thoughts and more have gone through my head many times back in the States.

I am convinced that our country is suffering from an unspoken racism against Latinos, and particularly against Mexicans. How many Mexican jokes do you hear every day? I'm not saying every joke that involves Mexicans is bad. Believe me, I'm more than aware of the idiosyncrasies in their culture that can be really humorous (like the fact that they really do jam pack as many people into the car as they can to drive across town). But most jokes are much more mean spirited than not, and I know they'll make me cringe when I get home. I know I'm preaching to the choir because you're all good people, but I think we can all be a little better about this. Just be aware of it. Mexicans are good people. They come in all shapes, sizes, education levels, and levels of income imaginable, just like Americans. So think twice before you throw a blanket stereotype over a whole country of individuals.

Ok, that's it. I'll get off my high horse now and stop lecturing you. Just think about it!