The lasting legacy of stereotypes are still clearly shown in today’s society. The most recent attack on Hispanics around the United States was from Television Star and Republican President Nominee Donald Trump. In a rally for his presidency, he brings into discussion the topic of immigration and his views on Hispanics. He states, “The United States has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems… When Mexico sends its people, they are not sending their best… They are sending people that have lots of problems, and they are bringing those problems with us. They are bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume are good people.” Donald Trump publicly announces that all Hispanics from Mexico that come …show more content…
One example comes from when I went to a winter retreat with my church’s youth group and there was a payor from another church who has joined us for the weekend. He made it his obligation to talk to every person at least once during our meal breaks. At one point, he walked to my table, where there were five sitting at, including myself. He asked everyone harmless questions such as how they were doing and what they were looking forward to on the trip. When it was my turn, he asked me what my name was. I replied saying it was Felipe. He then continues to ask, “Felipe? So you are Mexican?” I hesitate and say, “Yes, I am.” He then continues to ask, “Oh, does your mom and dad work? Are you guys financially stable?” I had never felt more uncomfortable in my life. He deliberately offended not only me, but my family and my culture. He did not ask anyone else those personal questions. What made me so different from the others to automatically assume my family is barely staying afloat? Another personal experience, which occurs every now and again is with regular, average American civilians. Sometimes, as I walk down a street and I can feel eyes glaring at me or hand bags being held closer to it’s owner’s body, ready for me to make a move to savagely rip it out of their hands. Police officers give me a second glance as I grab something from a store shelf, waiting for me to sneak it in my shirt and run off. This is an occurrence hat not many people get to witness. I wish I did not have to experience this myself and I hope my children will live in a time that they do not have to always look behind their shoulder, as I do