A Response to 7 Myths about Mexican-Americans

*This is from a live facebook video that a relative took recently from a night shift working at the fields. That's why it is blurry. Taken by Monica Garcia*

In the article “Seven Myths about Mexican-Americans” by Court Stroud explains about seven lies, or stereotypes, about Mexican Americans you have definitely heard about. You most likely found them funny because of how stupid and wrong they are, or you were probably annoyed of the accusations made. No matter what you felt about the lies you heard about Mexican Americans, you yourself know the real truth.

The first myth Court Stroud states is how “Mexicans are surging across the border” (Stroud, 2017). He explains how more Mexicans return home than crossing the border. The second myth, and one of the most funniest ones in my opinion, is how Mexicans are lazy. It’s funny how Mexicans are lazy when their main goals is to provide for themselves, their families, and to have a better life. We all know how many Mexicans work on the field, no matter the weather conditions. The third myth the author explains is how “Mexican immigrants are mostly rapists and other violent criminals” (Stroud, 2017). He states, “Not only are immigrants less likely to end up in prison, a 2014 study shows they’re less likely to engage in violent or anti-social behavior than U.S.-born Americans” (Stroud, 2017). The fourth myth about Mexican-Americans is how Mexico is poor, and he quickly states how Mexico is the 15th largest market in the world. The fifth myth that the author states was surprising for me which was that Mexicans bring diseases for example Ebola. It’s so random that Mexicans would even do that when it was discovered near African countries. The sixth myth is how most of Mexican-Americans are undocumented when Stroud states that “Seventy-six percent of all U.S. Hispanics of Mexican origin are U.S. citizens. Two-thirds were born in the U.S. In fact, by some estimates 89 percent of all U.S. Hispanics are either citizens or legal residents” (Stroud, 2017). The seventh myth is how “Undocumented immigrants are a drain on the U.S. economy” (Stroud, 2017). Mexicans have to pay taxes too, and they contribute to the labor force and tax system so if anything they are helping out as well. The previous blog, the article “The 4 Big Lies About Immigrants - And The Truth” by Robert B. Reich, it informs us the real truth about four lies about immigrants and one of the lies were also on how there is a drain in the public budget. He argues that its a lie since immigrants do pay taxes and undocumented immigrants paid “$11.8 billions in state and local taxes in 2012” (Reich, 2015). No matter what, every single race or ethnicity is going to judge people which is unfair to everyone because hated is being carried on and creates lies.

References:

Stroud, Court. “Seven Myths about Mexican-Americans” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/seven-myths-about-mexican_b_10235970

Reich, B. Robert. “The 4 Big Lies About Immigrants - The Truth”https://robertreich.org/post/131585289045