Hispanics/White relations in Dallas?! (Houston, Plano: home, neighborhood, school)
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How would you rate Hispanic/White relationships in the suburbs of Dallas? I am of Portuguese origin, and although I am not technically Hispanic, it seems like some people in Texas sometimes went out of their way to try to group me into the Hispanic group( I am sure, mostly due to their own ignorance). Anyways, we lived in a subdivision in Houston that was middle class, and at least 10% Black and 10% Hispanics. No problems whatsoever, no crime, no ghetto stuff...Also, when I lived in Texas, I got to know a type of Hispanic in Texas that is totally Texan and totally Americanized(they even talk with a Southern drawl). I absolutely hate barrio, ghetto, and all that stuff, but most middle class subdivisions in Houston at least seem somewhat "racially integrated". I would say much more than California, NY or other places I have been to, what is your opinion?
I can only speak from my own exposure to Plano vs. my previous experiences in other states. I do not see hispanic people in professional positions very often. I heard that a few mothers at my kids' old school were mistaken for their children's nannies by new moms a few times because so, so often you see hispanic ladies working as nannies around here. I seriously know two hispanic women who are professionals and it seems lots of hispanic ladies work in the service industry. My very young daughters have noticed asked me about it several times (ie, "Why do all the ladies who clean tables at the food court have brown skin?"). We've talked about how difficult it would be to live here and be of hispanic descent - I never noticed service industries as saturated with hispanic labor in other states up north and out east like I've noticed it here. Surely it's just the proximity to Mexico and an influx of recent immigrants who are starting at the bottom and working their way up. That's what I told my kids, anyway. I'm sure there are many exceptions to my observations on this but I've got to say it's one of the things that bothers me most about living here. As far as relations between hispanic people and other races go, I think they're not really around to have relationships with. I rarely see hispanic mothers at the parks with their own kiddos or at any of the places where I go. It's not an issue of like/dislike, just a deficit of opportunity. I've made friends with some of the nannies at our park, but it's not the same thing as another SAHM who happens to be hispanic. The two I know both work.
If you saw my dad you would label him Hispanic but I never have seen anyone treat him any differently at all. I have MANY friends that are Hispanic, Spanish, whatever that could be mistaken for "Hispanic" and I've never had any of them complain. My own bil looks hispanic, has a professional degree, holds a professional position and does not get discriminated against nor confused w/ the "hired help". As a business owner I can rattle off a whole list of businesses in the metroplex we deal with that are owned/operated by people of Hispanic backgrounds and have acheived a high level of success in the Dallas area. My kids attend school w/ Hispanics w/ ties to Mexico, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, etc and the mothers have never been thought of as being a nanny. Many are professionals or stay at home moms. If one area is dominated by a group that sees someone that looks "hispanic" to them and they automatically assume they are "hired help" - I'd run from that neighborhood, imho. There are WAY TOO MANY areas of the metroplex that are accepting of people of a different background as I have a whole list of friends as do my kids whose families have Spanish surnames.
If anything, you will find MORE professional Hispanics in TX than in most other states. You are correct - there are many Hispanics who have been here for several generations, and have gone native, even to the extent of not speaking or understanding Spanish. My wife has several Hispanic co-workers, including executive-level types. Some of them have intermarried with Anglos, and none have ever been mistaken for "hired help".
Do I go out and party with my Hispanic lawn care crew? No, but I wouldn't be doing that if they were white, either.
even if some say that relations are fine, it needs to be pointed out that some municipalities have tried a few things. I see it as some hiding behind their municipalities to bear out some of their frustrations.
even if some say that relations are fine, it needs to be pointed out that some municipalities have tried a few things. I see it as some hiding behind their municipalities to bear out some of their frustrations.
That is geared towards illegial aliens no matter where they hail from. These are the ones that typically do not even remotely try to assimilate to the culture or any thing somehow "American" related. HUGE DIFFERENCE!
I think that since we're white... we don't have a good perspective on this question. Do we have any hispanic folks in this forum that can base this on their more enlightened view?
As far as relations between hispanic people and other races go, I think they're not really around to have relationships with. I rarely see hispanic mothers at the parks with their own kiddos or at any of the places where I go.
I think this all depends on where you live. Go to East Dallas, and you are going to see plenty of Hispanic mothers at the park.
I also disagree that there are very few professional Hispanics in TX. Until I had kids, I was in the corporate world. My husband works for a very large, well known company. There are a LOT of Hispanic professionals in most of their offices. My good friend is Hispanic, and I met her at my previous job.
As far as Texans not knowing Spanish from Mexican, Portugese from Mexican, etc. Well, I think it's unfair to label us as ignorant. How many Portugese or Hispanic people see me and think, "Oh, she's Scotch Irish American"? Right. None. My sister-in-law is Spanish, from South Texas, and we have had long talks about the same problem. I get where she's coming from, and she gets where I'm coming from. Oh, she's also a professional in TX.
I think that since we're white... we don't have a good perspective on this question. Do we have any hispanic folks in this forum that can base this on their more enlightened view?
I might be classified as "white" or "anglo" but my dad is 1/2 - adopted though so no Spanish surname. I did not get so much as a dark spot on my skin, the dark eyes or the hair (my das has ALL of it). My sis got the skin. She goes to Mexico and can blend in w/ the natives there (many people don't realize there are TONS of natural blondes in Mexico). Growing up and still to this day when I'm w/ my dad I don't see anyone treating him any different just because he appears "Hispanic".
The school my oldest child goes to is in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood and the school has a large portion of Hispanics and she has many friends that are. I'd say for a "white girl" I'm probably around more Hispanics though than most people in the area.
That is geared towards illegial aliens no matter where they hail from. These are the ones that typically do not even remotely try to assimilate to the culture or any thing somehow "American" related. HUGE DIFFERENCE!
Speaking Spanish has nothing to do with being an illegal or having legal status. And there are plenty of English speakers who choose not to assimilate into "the culture" its not illegal.
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(my das has ALL of it). My sis got the skin. She goes to Mexico and can blend in w/ the natives there (many people don't realize there are TONS of natural blondes in Mexico). Growing up and still to this day when I'm w/ my dad I don't see anyone treating him any different just because he appears "Hispanic". 
