Gringo’s Travels
Puerto Rico viewed from a gringo’s perspective
A View of Prejudice from a Gringo in Puerto Rico
Author: The Gringo31 Mar
~ photo by DanAllison
Being a white guy from the States I don’t think I have ever really understood prejudice and racism like a Hispanic or Black guy has. So it has been a little strange for me to live in Puerto Rico where there is some prejudice going on. I don’t know if it is because I am white or maybe because I am from the States. Maybe it’s a little of both.
Puerto Ricans do feel oppressed from the States. I really do believe they feel like second class citizens. An in ways the USA does look down on them. So I can understand some of the dirty looks and weird stares. They might just be taking a defensive stance because they probably think I might consider them second class as well (not the case at all).
To give some examples; I have had a cop yell at me because I didn’t understand her. I know cops like to yell but she became enraged once I told her I didn’t understand Spanish. I have had a Postal employee call me a “stupid gringo”. Etc… I will write more about these incidents in separate posts on a later date. I have never felt threatened like someone wanted to fight because of prejudice.
On the flip side I would say 70% of Puerto Ricans don’t have a problem with Americans, maybe more. When I first moved here, I would have put that number much lower around 40-50% maybe. Now that I look back, it was probably misunderstandings of the culture. I do tend to get better customer service (not always sometimes worse) and a few other weird quirks for being a White Gringo.
4 Responses for "A View of Prejudice from a Gringo in Puerto Rico"
“Puerto Ricans do feel oppressed from the States. ”
Not all, just people with inferiority complex. I don’t understand why they feel oppressed, I mean, we are a colony but is not like the USA is draining our life and resources out!
“I have had a Postal employee call me a “stupid gringo”. ”
Wow, thats harsh, what did you said to him? I would have bitchslapped him! Ugh! some people are so ignorant! >:(
Well I will be posting about the story later… but I didn’t say any thing. I pulled out my camera phone and snapped a picture of his truck number. Then sent off a complaint to the USPS :)
Don’t take it personal. LOL!
Puertoricans scream at each other as though it is a sport. Especially government employees!
I was born in Philadelphia, PA, and I have lived half my life between both. I can tell you the mentality of the Puertoricans in the states is just as low as it is here.
I constantly have conversations with black Puertoricans who badmouth blacks from the states. (Recently in conversations about Barack Obama). Me being me, I always hit them with “and what color do you think you are? Yellow?” LOL!
These people have no clue that they descendant of African slaves who were brought to the island just as those of the states. They look at me with stares as if to tell me I am nuts. This is just an example of the level of ignorance my compatriots have.
If you stop having high expectations of the people here you will be better off.
@Nelson: “Don’t take it personal.”
I don’t take it personal at all… I actually find it pretty interesting!
“If you stop having high expectations of the people here you will be better off.”
You are right, I do have high expectations, but shouldn’t I? I dunno, maybe I am just showing my stupidity… Shouldn’t I always expect the best out of people no matter what nationality, race, etc.
Having said that… It does get old putting people on a pedestal only to see them fall off - every day (Above - Not just pertaining to racism)…
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