In a country obsessed with Mexican food and culture, why do Mexican people not receive the same reverence?

Author

Elba T. Rodriguez, Cuny Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Winter 12-16-2022

Grading Professor

Ryan Sutton

Subject Concentration

Arts & Culture

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

For centuries, the U.S. has had a complicated relationship with immigration policies and people of color. And the U.S./Mexican border has long been a source of contention. From Operation Wetback to Trump’s “Build the Wall” campaign, Mexicans have faced outright prejudice and hate. This work will delve into the contradictory policies of the U.S. using Mexicans for physical labor while simultaneously deporting them back to Mexico. It will investigate the experiences of Mexicans in this country and the incongruity of many Americans that maintain anti-Mexican sentiments while also celebrating Mexican holidays, such as Dia de los Muertos or Cinco de Mayo. In interviews with Mexican journalists, scholars, and writers, no comprehensive reason could be reached for the hate directed at Mexicans for over 100 years in this country, except that America has a dark streak of systemic racism from its inception to today.

https://medium.com/@et_rodriguez/in-a-country-obsessed-with-mexican-food-and-culture-why-do-mexican-people-not-receive-the-same-29016bcd1966

Recommended Citation

Rodriguez, Elba T., "In a country obsessed with Mexican food and culture, why do Mexican people not receive the same reverence?" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/644