I learned a new word recently! Paisa has several positive meanings, yet in the context of this particular video it was used as an insult. (You can view @senor_barragan's Instagram reel here, but for you No Sabo kids, paisa in this instance means a Hispanic person in the U.S.; someone "really" Mexican.) This confused me and had me doing a quick Google search. Why would anyone think that paisa could be a derogatory word? Correct me if I’m wrong, but to me paisa could be used almost as an endearment, like homie. In any case, the hate for Mexicans is obvious in this eyewitness account and is yet another disappointing example of the demonization of Mexicans, especially by other Mexicans.
This sort of thing makes me shake my head. How unfortunate!
Unfortunate in the way that self loathing is real. Unfortunate in that one chooses to ignore the bond to their fellow Latinos. Unfortunate in that one feels the need to distance themselves and adopting a false sense of superiority over their own kind.
So what's going on here? Why would anyone disparage their Latine brothers and sisters? What’s the purpose to any of it?
Well, ignorance and an unwillingness to educate oneself play a large part as does a lack of compassion and humanity for others. Also at work here is the blatant denial of one’s Mexican identity and a need to align with a seemingly "better" racial group for one’s own benefit. And let’s not forget the false belief of there not being enough (of anything) to share with the “others.” Additional reasons probably exist, and I’m no psychologist, but these here are some heavy hitters. Now tell me, how do any of these attitudes edify a person? In truth, they don't. They act as braces on the brain and are death knells to the spirit.
By exploring ideas that are new to us, we’re giving ourselves opportunities to grow, and when showing kindness to other Latinas, we’re building invisible bonds that foster the sisterhood. This benefits all of us. We need each other to help us get through a time when we’re being judged by our brown skin and our last names and as we see other Mexicanas kidnapped by the very government that is supposed to protect us.
Keep your forward momentum, ladies. I know sometimes it seems like nothing can be done or not enough action is being taken, but focus on building bonds and keeping spirits buoyed because every little bit does count towards changing the current narrative.
Stay safe.