Bullshit.

Many Mexicans call ANYONE who is an American "gringo" regardless of their race.

Calling an American "gringo" is about as "racist" as being anti-Israel is "racist". There is no race called jews.

The good news is that the term "racist" has become so offensive that even the right uses it, often incorrectly, to try to make a point.

I lived in Puerto Rico for 3 years, San Diego for 4, and Yuma for 2. I guess I'm stoopid, because I was always convinced that 'gringo' was a durogatory term used to describe caucasians. Guess I was all wet all those years.

You don't see it as racist even though it is a derrogatory term used towards a race. It is a term that was "invented" to be said towards a race.

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Anyone ask Hillary what kind of underwear she wears, yet?

Lt. Gov Diane Denish on Bill Richardson "The governor, she said, "pinches my neck. He touches my hip, my thigh, sort of the side of my leg."

Maybe, but it's used in many different ways as the wiki link showed. But you probably don't believe that link, do you?

And why can you not go into a 711 or Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent? Just curious to see a non offensive reason for this, if there IS one.

And "gangsta" rap musicians call one another "nigger". Doesn't make it any less offensive.

Gosh, sorry to be offended without your prior permission.

Pardon me, but who the hell are you to tell me what is offensive to me?

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

Hey, this guy's just warming up. Lol.

As a white person, I'm not really offended when a black person calls me cracker or a latino person calls me a gringo. I think it's because white people have always been the oppressor and never the oppressed.

Having said that, gringo and cracker and any other "nickname" for white people ARE racist names just like nigger or spic. The difference is, white people don't feel put down by these names. White people haven't been put down by other races. The words are racist, but they don't have the same power as words that white people use against other races.

IMHO.

Of COURSE the term referred to caucasions (or above the border persons, but it was descriptive, and certainly NOT derogatory. (Tone of voice could make a difference tho) To a Mexican or wetback or even South american, I am a Gringo. and when I visited Mexico, I was a visiting GRINGO.

Because Wiki Says so???? People from south of the border likely started it, but as a description. Just as we call them hispanics.

Post #3 gives the history of the word.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Madam, I have nothing to say to you.

Post #2 details the meaning of the word and how it is used.

Well then don't!

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

The age of chivalry is not dead.

I believe what I've learned from my friends. I've yet to hear a Mexican or Spaniard or any other Latino/Hispano person, use "gringo" in a polite way. And please note where I live, I think I've met a hispano or two.

I don't know why you can't go there. Ask Joe Biden, he made the comment. I guess he is promoting a stereotype that only middle easterners own 7-11's and DUnkin donuts.

My quote is the definition from dictionary dot com. I don't put too much stock in wikipedia. It's a good place to start, but it seems to be a little more suspect now that we know they don't check the credentials of those the hire, very well. Even if it was started as a description, it matters how it is used. "Fag" use to be a cigarette, faggot was a bundle of sticks, Nip was short for Nippon and isn't that the "real" name of Japan? Doesn't "nigger" really mean a defect?

But I will change my mind. Pi has shown me the error of my ways. I'm sure Mr. Chavez meant "Gringo go home" in a very respectful way. I'm sure he didn't mean "White man go home" in any negative context whatsoever. Simply because no one EVER uses the term "gringo" in a negative way. Especially Mr. Chavez.

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Anyone ask Hillary what kind of underwear she wears, yet?

Lt. Gov Diane Denish on Bill Richardson "The governor, she said, "pinches my neck. He touches my hip, my thigh, sort of the side of my leg."