Cuban, Brazilian, Peruvian or Argentine, It’s all the Same to Me

Unfortunately the lumping together doesn’t work because the cultures, food, and whatever else is different, especially in relation to “Mexican.” that’d be like saying a knodel is American food or a hamburger in Sweden is German and not American at all even though we don’t eat knodels here and they don’t eat hamburgers in Sweden (save for a McDonalds burger perhaps). Certainly Mexicans don’t eat the stuff Cubans do, and Cubans don’t eat the same stuff Colombians do, and Colombians don’t eat the same stuff Peruvians do, and Peruvians don’t eat the same stuff as Argentines do. As you can see, there’s more to just “Hispanic” in the eyes of the Latin-dominated Miami, all the way from the Rio Grande to Tierra del Fuego. Additionally, Asians are a minority even on a city-scale in Latin America. Where they’re not, they’re differentiated more so than “Chino.” But even in the USA we do group Asians as Chinese - otherwise Chinatown Houston would be Viet-town instead, for example. So your argument on only the Latinos calling Asians “Chino” is pretty much moot - and even more so when you visit areas where there’s Asian diversity - especially in Sao Paolo, Mexico City, and so forth where you have Coreanos, Chinos, Japones - and they’d be grouped accordingly as Asiaticos.

Because of that, it becomes offensive to lump whatever other Hispanic group in Miami with “Mexican” - because in Miami we understand our differences well since there’s so many Latinos of different groups here compared to the Hispanic demographic in the other cities. So, that being said - I’d have to say that your column is pretty much a smack-in-the-face and a lack of respect for the region you live in - Miami/South Florida.

In a regular circumstance, I’d say to you to go back to “My Home” - which you’ve made obvious is not South Florida.

Posted on 08/12/2010 at 8:39 PM

I am not Latin, Hispanic or Spanish but am completely offended by this:

And while this has been a very spirited and educational discussion it is, sadly, completely pointless. Because to the vast majority of non-Hispanic Americans, everyone from South of the Rio Grande -or from the Spanish Speaking Caribbean - is pretty much the same race. And that race is “Mexican.”

I know you like to write to get a rise out of people and I respect and appreciate that, but this time, not so much. Growing up in CT, I was a minority in a school with a high population of Puerto Ricans.

I moved to Miami and now am surrounded by a huge melting pot of of people from all over Latin America. I have always called people who speak Spanish, and are from the southern continents, Latins.

As a white bread northern girl, I have NEVER had a problem distinguishing between Mexicans, Cubans, or South Americans. Maybe I have a hard time figuring out if if someone is from Guatamala vs Nicaragua, or Costa Rica vs Ecuador but to call everyone Mexican, or even to hint at that is ignorant and embarrassing (for you).

“You don’t see us White folks demanding that you stop calling us “Gringos” and refer to us as Italian-German-Irish-Polish-Jewish Americans.”

There are places in the US that this type of thing matters to “Gringos”, and they would be offended.

If you are going to live somewhere, you just get used to how it is, go with the flow. I find it respectful to make an effort, something you apparently don’t care much about.

Posted on 08/13/2010 at 8:29 AM

Matt, I am glad all my non-hispanic friends DON’T think like you. Sometimes I am not sure if you want to be controversial or you are just plain hispanic-phobic.

Deal with it, or go back to “My Country.”

All hispanics in South Florida or anywhere in United States has dealt with the fact we are underestimated,  that because we speak with an accent people assume we don’t speak Eglish but at the end, at least in my case, being in this country worth the discrimination and hostility from some people. I have accomplished much more than I expected and You can call me whatever you want because “Mexican” like me just don’t care about opinions like yours.

I know it’s hard to distinguish people from South America, but If you educate yourself a little about people who lives in same city as you I am sure you won’t have a problem with it. I am Argentinean and I was confused too. When I moved to United States, I didn’t know all the cultures but I learned from everyone. Maybe You should start getting to know some us and you’d learn one thing or two.

Posted on 08/13/2010 at 11:30 AM

Boy Matt, you really spilled you goo on this one. I kind of understand were your comming from and I’ll give you some slack, but a wise man once said: “an unexamined life isn’t worth living.”  Instead of comming of like Homer Simpson, you would benefit in learning the distinctions amongst hispanic nationalities. The idiosyncracies is much more vast than North vs. South in this country.

Everywhere go in Florida you learn that Ponce de Leon discovered such a town around 1525. As a former California resident, you should understand how much influence the Spanish Conquest has effected the development of territory North of the Rio Grande. Need I remind you of the chain of Spanish Missions running the length of the state ? To ignore Spanish History, you ignore our own history.

I’ve had the fortune of visiting every country in Latin America with the exception of Venezuela, Cuba, Uraguay and the Guyanas if you want to throw that it. This notion of Hispanic Unity does not exist because they are different in ways of history and culture. I’ve found it rewarding to decipher and appreciate the differences.

Prior to the conquest, ancient civilizations in these territories where at the forefront of science, math and physics. It’s a shame we killed then off, along with untold secrets and knowledge that the brightest minds of Harvard and Yale can’t figure out.

I just feel yo’ure missing out massively ignoring that the daily routine of life has been going on at more southern latitudes than up here historically. Tree’s fall down there and make loud sounds. You need to try to hear them.

As a tidbit, I don’t think it’s a custom to eat burritos and tacos south of Mexico. Tortillas are not in fashion below Guatemala. As a Miamian, you should know Cubans serve bread instead. Maybe that is a start into your indocrination that hispanic societies are not the same. The language is common as we have with the Brits, but when was the last time you’ve seen an English speaking person here eat a cucumer sandwhich ?

Having personally met you, I know you intend no malice in your article. When we next meet, I’ll gift you Hemming’s CONQUEST OF THE INCAS ( I’m not Peruvian ). It’s over 800 pages and you can read it at your own the Spanish at your own pace. You’ll be rewarded for the effort. It’s a very fascinating read and it will idicate to you a particular case how the Spanish Conquest influenced that specific part of the Americas. Conquest with other indigenous generated different results, as the make up of the people in other parts of the hemispher were extemely different.
On an occasion when I’m down in Miami, If you accept my invitacion to Novicentro on Brickell - It’s an Argentinian place,please don’t order Chile Rellenos. They’ll tell you to get the fuck out of there. It’s not all about Mexico at horizons south of our border.

Posted on 08/13/2010 at 10:27 PM

This guy is a flat out moron. If I ever saw him, 1,000 percent chance, as a Jewish lady, I’d punch him.

Posted on 08/14/2010 at 11:06 AM

Good point on the food, Jordan. I hadn’t thought of that, although it is one thing I constantly have to correct visitors on. The Mexican food in Miami is definitely not as good as places where there are large numbers of Mexicans.

I never said I spoke for everyone here. I just speak for a lot of people I know. It;s not a derogatory thing to lump everyone together, I’m just saying that its really not something a lot of folks care about. Good, bad, or indifferent. And I talk in generalizations because, well, you can’t examine every exception.

I 1000% guarantee you wouldn’t punch me, Joella. Ask anyone on here, despite my American Chauvinism, I am a generally a very pleasant, polite person to meet. You can even ask the people who commented on here telling me how offended they are.

Posted on 08/14/2010 at 7:27 PM

“Because to the vast majority of non-Hispanic Americans, everyone from South of the Rio Grande -or from the Spanish Speaking Caribbean - is pretty much the same race. And that race is “Mexican.””

Have you done any research to support this ridiculous statement? I doubt there’s anything to support it so you need to change the wording to make it sound like your opinion and not fact. I’ve never heard this theory, probably because it’s something you just made up.

“Hold on a second there, lemme get Pedro in the back. He speaks Mexican.”

Mexican people speak Spanish, there’s no such thing as speaking Mexican.

Posted on 08/15/2010 at 9:24 AM

I pretty much agree. If someone asks me where I’m from, I’ll tell them my parents are cuban.  If I’m on vacation out of Miami and someone asks my ethnicity, I’ll say hispanic. If they ask for a country I’ll say cuban.  I really don’t see the big deal and apart from other hispanics, most won’t understand the difference between countries.  Like you said, I don’t care if you’re german, irish, etc, you’re just white to me because I don’t know/understand the difference between the different places. and unless we’re having a discussion about it, small talk at the supermarket isn’t the place to discuss it.  One thing I have noticed though is that when I’m outside of miami, particularly in new england, most blacks and asians consider most hispanics that speak fluent english to be white.  in the end though, none of that matters at all, we’re just people.

Posted on 08/15/2010 at 2:29 PM

Sungal,
He’s not that far off. Most communities that don’t have many hispanics in them, just think of Mexico when they think of hispanics.

Carlos Mencia has an old joke “I’m Mexican in the Southwest, but when I go to Miami, I’m Cuban” but you can replace SW, with most of the USA except for South Florida and the NE in my experience.

Posted on 08/15/2010 at 3:14 PM

Have you lost your mind? Did you fail high school Spanish? The Spanish word for Asian is not “chino” it is “Asiatico”(With an accent on the second “a”) Moreover, to suggest that whole ethnic groups should allow themselves to be grouped together like cattle and not give consideration to their respective cultures and contributions to this nation, is not only ignorant, it is bigoted. I like most of your writing; but you need to pull your head out of the sand on this one.

Posted on 08/15/2010 at 10:20 PM

Sungal, your PC-ness never ceases to entertain me. honestly, think about it, you meet a Latin guy in Miami, you real give a sh!t which country he’s from? Doubtful.

Yaniel. thank you. I’m not saying this to be derogatory, I’m just saying once you get to America, where you’re from is pretty irrelevant.

Richard, I actually came out of HS Spanish with a ton of A’s and spoke waaaay better than I do now. But in Miami ,every single Asian guy is called “Chino” no matter if he’s from Korea, Cambodia, Loas or China.

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 12:14 AM

Personally, I enjoy finding the differences in cultures.  I even like to hear the differences in the tones and try to identify the countries.  I think its fun. 

However, when under duress for whatever reason the word “mexican” becomes the “N” word.

There, that’s as honest as I can get on the subject.

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 1:24 AM

Also, Matt I feel I must add I too think you’re way off base on this one.  It seems like it’s
just a jab or a poke in the eye of a group people who are just like all of us on this planet.
I lose it with old, and young and rich and poor and white and black and male and female
but Rodney King really put it eloquently when he said:  “Can’t we all just get along”.

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 1:35 AM

Are any of you from outside of Dade County? I’ve been reading Matt’s writing for a while now, dating back to his legendary White Dade blog, can relate to and understand the majority of what he says, and, I think, take it the way he means it.

Yaniel is accurate in quoting Carlos Mencia. For good or bad, that’s the fact of the matter. And yes, mid-westerners do refer to speaking Spanish as “speaking Mexican.”

Chino IS what the majority of Miami Latinos call Asians, regardless of where they’re from. I don’t even pay attention and I know this.

I don’t think Matt is off base at all here. He’s maybe being purposefully provocative to bring attention to an issue that is reality. You just need to see it from his perspective.

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 7:22 AM

” Mexican people speak Spanish, there’s no such thing as speaking Mexican “
True statement, though you can distinguish if someone speaks Mexican Spanish from Argentine Spanish. You can even go a bit further and argue Castilian is different from General Spanish.

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 2:16 PM

So sad.

It’s a disgrace to pretend, & call this coward a male figure. I imagine that every girl probably eventually learns quick, that this so-called “man”, eventually ends up as an A-typical loser. His loss.

I’m pretty sure his ignorance & prejudice, eats’  at him alive every night, either that, or perhaps a small wee-wee, & low self-confidence?

Either way, how can this spew, at all, benefit Miamibeach411.com, the state of Florida , or American in general? This flawed argument is beyond public taboo.

To the author: Point blank, there are zero facts to reason with, & there is no logical reasoning to comprehend from. Is this supposed to be an actual debate, or is this just your way of delivering a mean-spirited rant?

If the latter is true, then as readers, we should all chalk this author up for what it’s worth. A loser.

However, if it’s the former, and this article is for a quasi-professional debate, then Miamibeach411.com should call to question his original intent, and thus, clearly state a pro-active disclaimer labeling, that either Miamibeach411.com is for, or against, such opinion’s written; & clearly mark that either Miamibeach411.com does, or does not view such opinion as the websites’ own.

Media/professional journalism 101….

This I believe would be respected amongst new & old readers. Besides, to further suggest a debate for such a disclaimer, Miamibeach411.com, have you grown to big & forgotten to whom your target audience is actually intended for ? Tourist, locals, generally people from all over the world.

I pose a question to Miamibeach411.com staff. Please place yourself in the shoes of a novice amateur reader. If this article appears on the front page with a title heading:  Cuban, Brazilian, Peruvian or Argentine, It’s all the Same to Me,- “ ...how you would feel?

My opinion suggests that your articles should not conjecture up mixed race emotion’s. Shouldn’t there be an ethics code in play…somewhere?  If there is no ethic’s code’s in play, then do-right, & place a disclaimer and allow your readers to become aware of the opinion’s.

In conclusion, as a Jewish/Cuban American female ( No I do not reside in Miami, nor the state of Florida), I find this type of opinionated hate appalling. Subjectively, no person should bow down & feel contrite by tagging this idiot Matt Meltzzer as a societal loser.

Thank you.

Hellen Miller

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 3:59 PM

I don’t know if I have thicker skin than most, but I didn’t find anything in here insulting. The basic feeling I got from reading it is that where you’re from doesn’t matter to him, at the end we’re all just americans. What I find funny is that when someone calls someone a derogatory hispanic name they get mad and say they’re Americans too.  When someone says they don’t care that you’re hispanic and just think you’re an American, you get mad and say you’re a hispanic. My parents are cuban, I was raised with a cuban heritage, if I’m filling out a questionnaire then I’ll check hispanic. If you ask me what I am, I’ll tell you an American in case you think I’m not a local or I’ll tell you I’m a human, because what does it really matter?

Posted on 08/16/2010 at 4:08 PM

Eric, thank you for the breath of fresh air. And you too Yaniel, I appreciate that people can see what I’m really getting at.

Helen, that was an adorable little rant there. Thank you for the lesson in Journalism 101, though I got my Masters in that field a year ago. I’m curious where you find the “hate” in here, as not one word in here puts Hispanics on a level lower than any other ethnic group. not one derogatory word is written in here about Hispanics. Just that I do not care what country they are from.

And, really, resorting to penis-size insults? I mean, why don’t you just call me a “goober head” and tell everyone I have cooties? At least then you might get credit for being ironic.

Good day to you, mamn.

Posted on 08/17/2010 at 12:40 AM

Matt, does this article build community spirit?  Hopefully, this if anyone ever gets so far as to read these comments it could.  My point is that many will quit on your article before they’re half way through it. 

My sense is it divides and “cuts” and your attempt at humor misses the mark (this time).

You keep pointing out how you “got stings of A’s” and “have a Masters in Journalism” as a weak defense for a mean spirited story that was probably one of your poorest efforts.

Hey, we all make mistakes why not pull back show some grace take the hit and move on.

It’s what real men do.

Posted on 08/17/2010 at 3:32 AM

Im not going to argue because at the end I know what you just stated is right on. But, hey, something is telling me that you already know the differences between a Cuban, Brazilian, Peruvian or Argentine.

Posted on 08/17/2010 at 9:12 AM

Monticelllo. you just might be right.

And James, yeah, you can’t hit it out of the park every time. But I also never apologize for offending people when I see no reason they should be. So have I written better articles? Probably. But am I ashamed of this one? Absolutely not. And engaging commenters makes the comments section more interesting, I think.

And please, I NEVER got strings of A’s ANYWHERE. I’m a smart guy, but had a lot better things to do in school than “study.”

Posted on 08/17/2010 at 6:03 PM

Matt, you’re the coolest and the smartest no one even close.  Now, what you going to do?

Posted on 08/18/2010 at 5:38 AM

Hahaha. Gosh, I don’t know Jim. Maybe take up volleyball.

Posted on 08/18/2010 at 3:39 PM

matt,it’s true we call chino to all people with their oval eyes,and i don’t care if i’m called mexican or whatever,what we need to know that united states as the richiest country in america wants us to be divided and have conflicts among latinamerican countries because if not together we are strong and we can compete economically but tha’s not what we’re talking here, i don’t like when you call yourselves AMERICAN, we are all americans because we live in the american continent,or when you call black people born in america,african american,that was 400 years ago,so i should call you BRITISH-AMERICAN,OR IRISH-AMERICA what a stupidity,don’t you think,we are all brothers under one same father god,so call me whatever i don’t really give a shit, bye my brithish american boy

Posted on 08/21/2010 at 11:14 AM

Hi there
I am completely new to this site and was absolutely loving it until I read this article.
I am an Italian citizen living in London UK at the moment, but seriously considering moving to Miami.
I’d like to know if race is really such a big issue over there, I mean I am half african, a quarter portuguese and a quarter sephardi jewish (pretty fucked up I know :o)), and I seriously have problems when it comes to ticking the right race box, especially if you consider that I grew up in a white country.

So Matt would you welcome someone with my heritage in your melting pot?!?!?!?!
I hope so, cause I can’t stand this bloody English weather anylonger :D
At the end, we are all “just” people!!!

Posted on 12/13/2010 at 11:47 AM

I mean, sure. As long as you speak English you’re ok by be. Race is a big deal in Miami insofar as it’s the only place in America where Americans are not running the show. So it seems a little strange. Hard to explain unless you live here. But I guarantee people will come up to you speaking Spanish every day if you look ethnic at all.

Posted on 12/15/2010 at 8:16 PM

The spanish word for an asian person is asiático, you dumb prick….then again I do think that gringo is the perfect word for all you flat foot uninteresting morons, as soon as we know you’re gringo in South America we immediately know you are an idiot regardless of your skin color or heritage; nowadays being a gringo is not a good thing to be

Posted on 05/16/2011 at 3:23 PM

Really, Benito? Because last I checked outside the Oval Office “gringos” more or less run government, media and corporate America. So it’s actually the best thing you can possibly be.
South America is completely irrelevant on the world stage, outside of MAYBE Brazil. Which is still at best Gringo America’s up and coming infant litttle brother.

But your sentiments are adorable.

Posted on 05/17/2011 at 9:22 PM

Haha.  I just stumbled upon this fantastic rant.  I couldn’t agree more.  I get it, all the cultures south of El paso are like snow flakes…  but at the end of the day all I want to know is how deep the damn shit is outside.  And the collected amount of energy wasted in Miami in an effort to convince me (gringo) that one person’s culture is better than everyone else in latin america is tremendous.  I hear it from cubans about mexicans, brazilians about argentines, from Puerto Ricans about cubans…..  on and on and on!  The truth is….  its all the third world, grow up and move on.  I guess the ironic part is no one cares about american culture and they’re all here.

Posted on 07/08/2011 at 1:11 PM

Doc Brown, that’s hilarious. I just posted a comment on another thread on this site spelling it out for a potential newcomer…

http://forums.miamibeach411.com/living-relocating-here/9802-brickell-vs-grove-2.html#post99521

Posted on 07/09/2011 at 4:33 PM

I am a white woman who moved from Phoenix, AZ a little over 8 months ago to move in with my Cuban boyfriend who lives in Miami. I have never in my entire life ever faced as much discrimination, shady looks, and shady people as I have in Miami. I get to speak more Spanish at my retail job, but there are moments where I want to just be “ok, can’t I just effin talk to you in English?!”. I grew up back home with tons of friends from different countries and things were never so racially segregated as they are here. I’m the only non-Spanish/Caribbean/Hispanic girl at my job, and that doesn’t bother me, but apparently it bothers some of the customers that I don’t speak fluent Spanish. I have had customers demand I speak Spanish to them. I politely reply in Spanish that this is The United States and we speak English, to which I get rude looks.  From a culturally anthropological point-of-view, it is fascinating being the minority in such a huge city. On the other hand, I hate the fact I feel like I’m a immigrant in some mish mash of a multi-cultural (Caribbean and S. American predominate) and some people don’t even bother to learn English (though why would they? If I lived in a predominate Eng. speaking community where I never bothered to learn the language of the land, I’d be pretty comfortable too…)

I’m not a hater, just frustrated. I don’t expect anyone to be kind, afterall, this is Miami…. more like ME-ami. People in this city need a massive overhaul, learn manners and learn social grace and etiquette. It wouldn’t kill anyone to be kinder and more respectful to outsiders and strangers. Yeesh. BTW I think that Matt makes a valid and solid point. Enjoyed reading your work.

Posted on 07/11/2011 at 3:06 AM

phx84, I wish you were around when I was writing “White Dade.” I got comments like this every day because the entire blog was about exactly the experience you’re having. Hispanics who say “It’s not that bad,” don’t get it. Kinda like we don’t get the Hispanic or Black experience out West.

Anyway, thanks for the comment and good luck. Keep fighting the good fight.

Posted on 07/11/2011 at 9:38 PM

“2 Michelle says:
I am not Latin, Hispanic or Spanish but am completely offended by this:”

Aint that just typical? Caucasian people with a bad conscience taking on the role as an offended person. :D

Unlike Matt, I usually can tell the difference between different hispanic people; but like Matt says; no one cares…
And it’s generally true.

And most of all Matt got on to something very interesting. This is supposed to be multiculturalism, melting-pot and all that; but that isn’t near the truth.
“Ethnic people” are subject to special treatment, getting their culture accknowleged while the same can certainly not be said about white people.

This, at least in my mind, proves the fact that multiculturalism, as communism and nazism, is a utopian ideology nevere to be realized.

Posted on 08/21/2011 at 5:54 PM

Wow I could not stop laughing at this article! Completely hilarious but very true. That really is how the rest of America views hispanic people.

—-If you are blonde-haired and blue eyed and came here from Argentina, and walk into a restaurant in Iowa speaking nothing but Spanish, you know what response you’re going to get?
“Hold on a second there, lemme get Pedro in the back. He speaks Mexican.”—-

Could not stop laughing at this part!! Seriously Matt, why hasn’t your writing gone mainstream yet? I really think you got that Tucker Max style kind of writing. Ever thought about giving him a run for his money?

Posted on 11/14/2011 at 3:17 AM

Thanks, Nite. I have heard that comparison before, but I’m not sure how to even go about going “mainstream.” I really appreciate the compliment, though. A lot of people hated this story.

Posted on 11/14/2011 at 2:38 PM

Hey no problem brother. Keep up the great articles!!

Posted on 11/15/2011 at 10:06 PM

LOL.  You really didn’t study that map too hard clrleay.  A good part of Mexico is right on the border of California so it’s a heck of a lot closer.  There’s a pretty large number of people in the area bordering CA. Plus people go where they’ve got family and friends.  Lots of them have folks they know in California. There’s tons of Mexicans who settle in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.  Didn’t you hear about all the fuss over the anti-immigration laws in Arizona? They wouldn’t have proposed a law if there weren’t that many Mexicans living there.

Posted on 06/04/2012 at 10:02 PM

All I can infer from your writing is that your a small minded racist. So I should assume all who speak English are British or American? I am from Texas and am Proud to speak with my accent that is totally different from other southern accents. My culture is different than those of a southerner from Alabama, and hell we are all Americans. Your type of attitude is why the rest of the world hates Americans. I wouldn’t stand by your side for anything

Posted on 08/05/2012 at 3:44 PM

Hates them… And wants to move to America, right?  Nobody hates the U.S. if they can live here. That is the divine providence of those who remain uninvited.

Posted on 08/05/2012 at 4:59 PM