Is "Gringo" an offensive or derogatory word?
My Mexican non-English speaking cousin-in-law asked me if I thought that "Gringo" was an offensive term. My response was "no". My reasoning is that "Gringo" is a slang term for non-Mexican North A...
Forum Discussion
4X4Dodger wrote:bigcitypopo wrote:
i think if you are offended by a "word" than there is a lot more in your life that you are unable to deal with....
just my hay-penny
Words are important and so is how we use them. Words carry weight, meaning and can hurt.
That is why there are a number of words that used to be common in our language here in the US that are no longer socially acceptable. I am sure I dont need to write the list.
I for one am offended anytime I hear the derogatory slang words for Gays or people of color or any racial or ethnic slur. And I dont believe I am alone in this even though I am not included in the group being defamed.
A little sensitivity doesnt hurt. And yes my friends from Guatemala and Bolivia and Columbia tell me that the word Gringo, as used among themselves is a derogatory term.
let me rephrase... Offense is generally left for something so appalling that it requires emotional response. If people learned to communicate and not sling slurs at one another, we'd only be offended... Rarely. I'm very sensitive... But I voice when things aren't appropiate and set it straight right from the get go. I don't let things get out of hand.
Btw- I'm white/ Mexican mixed... I've been called every name in the book, "wedo, gringo, negro... I'm dark skinned when tanned" not effected here... Even when it was meant to be rude...
