Rape Spurs Anti-Hispanic Backlash in Ohio

[Placebo]

It started with the spray-painted, misspelled "Rapest" on the house of a Hispanic man accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old white girl. Then the house went up in flames in a suspected arson.

Confrontations, name-calling and threats against Hispanics followed. Men roamed the streets wearing pillowcases with eye holes, and Ku Klux Klansmen in hoods and robes showed up to pass out pamphlets. There were rumors of assaults and beatings.

Now this small Ohio river city's booming Hispanic population is cowed, the streets in their neighborhoods nearly deserted.

Outside the office of the Living Water Ministry, which two months ago drew hundreds of people to its first Cinco de Mayo festival, there is still a smell of charred wood from the June 21 fire that gutted the house next door and caused damage to the outside of the ministry's office.

More...

[marmar]

1. 'Cause goodness knows that white men have never been guilty of rape...

This kind of reactionary B.S. just so pisses me off. If a white guy does it, he's just viewed as a deviant. If a Latino guy does it, it's a reflection on the whole group. That kind of lynch mob mentality is just frightening.

[ismnotwasm]

3. That's what I was just thinking

Assholes.

[saigon68]

41. Long MID-WEST tradition of dealing W/minority rapists GRAPHIC PHOTO

Lynching 1930

A mob of 10,000 whites took sledgehammers to the county jailhouse doors to get at these two young blacks accused of raping a white girl; the girl’s uncle saved the life of a third by proclaiming the man’s innocence. Although this was Marion, Ind., most of the nearly 5,000 lynchings documented between Reconstruction and the late 1960s were perpetrated in the South. (Hangings, beatings and mutilations were called the sentence of “Judge Lynch.”) Some lynching photos were made into postcards designed to boost white supremacy,

[evilkumquat]

19. Yeah, I Hate That Argument, Too.

I had an acquaintance who hated black people, but he had a "good" reason for it.

He used to live in a larger city nearby and, when he was in school, got robbed and beat up by a couple of black kids.

So, I asked him if, for the sake of argument, those kids who robbed him were white instead of black, would have hated all white people?

If that were the case, being white himself, it probably would have made Christmas with his all-white family awkward.

Funny enough, he never had a good answer.

Evil Kumquat

[sakabatou]

35. True 'dat

:sarcasm:

[liberalnurse]

2. Is that the same church where they have

that GIANT JESUS alon I-75?

[noahmijo]

4. As a Latino (I HATE the word Hispanic) I gotta ask other Latinos

why the hell would you even migrate to Ohio? no offense to people that live in Ohio but seriously when did Ohio all of a sudden become famous for its embracing Latinos?

Sorry but I'll never move to any state or city that can't even put its Klan history in the past.

[Iris]

7. help me out here

I don't know much about the Latino culture. Is Latino the preferred term for most Lationos or is it something personal with you? Is the term Hispanic considered a slur or rude in some way?

This is a sincere question and I'm trying to ask it politely so please excuse my ignorance if I'm committing any major faux pas. I really want to know because I want to be respectful of everyone I meet.

[noahmijo]

10. It goes sort of like this I admit it's messed up

I hate the term "Hispanic" because it's a word that was not coined by anyone of Latin American descent. It's a word that became the PC word to use created by white people.

I personally prefer Latino while others hate that term and prefer "Chicano" Chicanos are typically more militant about their heritage and the injustices ect while Latinos are more easy going just getting on with life sort, but I the Chicano in me will come out from time to time I will confess.

[Mythsaje]

15. Kinda like the way

you rarely hear an "Indian" use the term "Native American." It's just another term coined by the White Man that has no meaning for them. At least they're accustomed to using "Indian."

[Solon]

46. Actually Indian is a term that White Men use because of a fuck up...

by Colombus himself, thinking he landed in the East Indies, damned idiot. I use Native American myself, to avoid confusion, for obvious reasons. My first girlfriend was Native American, but my best friend in High School was Indian, as in from the nation of India(exchange student). Most Native Americans I've known used their tribal names if known, like Creek or Cherokee, etc.

[TriMetFan]

27. I also prefer Latino but I have used Hispanic. I do hate the word

"Chicano".

[alarcojon]

42. Feel pretty much the same here

I don't hate "Chicano"; I just don't feel it applies to me (I'm Ecuadorean-American).

[TriMetFan]

51. I agree with you. Also I should have not used "hate"

becuase that is a very strong word. I dislike the word "Chicano"

[Iris]

47. Thanks noahmijo (and others!) for educating me.

I really had no idea and felt a little uncomfortable asking the question and you were very nice about explaining it.

I like the word Latino and that'll be my new word from now on! (Should I use Latina for a woman?)

[alarcojon]

52. Yes, use Latina for a woman. eom

[Xithras]

53. Uh, Latino is a white word as well.

Latino is simply the Spanish (white) word for Latin, another white word for an old dead language used by the Catholic Church. Why is that important? Because once upon a time Catholic controlled lands were referred to as latins...which is how Latin America got its name. By calling yourself a Latino, you're actually just identifying yourself as a Catholic.

And in case anyone's curious about the real definition of the three words:

Hispanic: Encompasses anyone from any Spanish speaking country that is, or ever has been, a part of the Spanish Empire. Modern Spaniards are hispanic. Puerto Rican's are hispanic. Cubans are hispanic. Mexicans are hispanic. Hell, even parts of the Philippines are hispanic. It's not a racial designation, but a LANGUAGE designation that just gets horribly abused.

Latino: Hispanics from Latin America and Mexico. Note that latino does NOT include most people from South America (which was primarily colonized by other European countries like France, Portugal, and the Netherlands), and there's an ongoing argument about whether the Eastern Caribbean islanders are really "latinos" either (most people tend to say yes, but there's a minority who wants to keep it for the mainlanders).

Chicano: Mexican Latino's. You'll never meet a Guatemalan Chicano because they don't exist. The term Chicano was coined decades ago by Mexican-American activists and Aztlan militants in the LA area as a way to racially identify people of Aztec descent, or who originated in areas under Aztec control.

[mitchtv]

32. Partner is Mex Am he uses Latino unless he knows

they are Mexam born here, then he uses Chicano, used heavily in Calif, more than in the more integrated border states.Also he comes from a generation that had a tough time with the gabachos. Hispanic excludes Spanish, Portugese and Brazilian, Latino does not

[Xipe Totec]

37. It is an odd classification denoting "not quite white"

Federal forms that ask for 'racial' information have one check box for White, and one for Hispanic. If you have a 'Spanish' surname then you are considered Hispanic, regardless of actual ethnic origin. Even if you only speak English, and have lived in the US for generations, your designation for Federal purposes is Hispanic. If you are from Brazil but have a 'Spanish' surname, you are considered Hispanic.

So what does it mean to be Hispanic? beats me.

[newyorican]

11. I usually ask people where they are from...

then it becomes easy.

El Salvadorean
Guatemalan
Mexican
Puerto Rican
Costa Rican

None of those attempt at being politically correct offend me though.

Just steer clear of the slurs no matter what nationality/origin.

[TriMetFan]

26. But not all of us Latinos are from those places.

Some of us are from the United States of America.

[alarcojon]

44. Gotta chime in on that point

Many times (I've lost track) I've been asked "where are you from"?, responded "Chicago" (where I was born and raised), and gotten some variant of "where are you REALLY from"?

These days I answer "I was born and raised in Chicago, so I am an American. I believe you're referring to my ethnic backgroud. My parents came to Chicago from Quito, Ecuador, and I was born on American soil a few years later."

[TriMetFan]

50. I know what you mean.

I hate being ask "where are you from". My dad is from San Antonio TX. He is Spanish,Mexican & German, My Mom is from Merida Yucatan Mexico. She is Spanish, French, Irish, African & Mayan. So when people now ask that stupid question I just tell them "I'm a true American, because I'm a melting pot of different races. What about you? Are you a true American?". That shuts them up quick

The other thing that really pisses me off is when people are talking different languages and some dumb bigot person says why can't they just speak English? I then ask "What English do you wish they speak?" New York, Tex/Mex, Calf, Mid-West or how about Northwest? And we can then hit Canadian, the different English from each part of Britain or Aussie. That also shuts them up.

[ugarte]

13. I'm with you, mijo

Ohio, south Ohio in particular, definitely fails the taco test. People there are more hillbilly than Tennessee.

[Eurobabe]

23. yep, if yer not white and christian, get the hell out

this is the worst place I have ever lived. can't wait to fly this coop.

ick.

[evilkumquat]

18. Living in NE Indiana...

We have a large and growing {insert preferred term for Latin-American} community. Large enough, in fact, that the local paper (which is small enough that, up until a few years ago, was only published twice a week and did not carry national news) now prints a version in Spanish.

We even have an {insert preferred term for Latin-American}-only grocery store specializing in all those "exotic" spices that the mainstream markets do not carry.

Why is this part of the mid-West attracting {insert preferred term for Latin-Americans}? From what everyone tells me around here, it is because of all the local farms both in this state and across the border employ {insert preferred term for Latin-American} as cheap labor. The same reason California and Texas attracts them.

Do I know this for a fact? I do not. To me, it sounds like a "white" argument for why they are here (i.e, the "tomato pickers" are up here takin' our jobs!) rather than one based on any census-derived reasons.

God, do I hate race-related issues... almost as much as I hate religion-related issues. Why in the living hell can't we all just be people who happen to have racial differences rather than members of races who happen to be people?

Evil Kumquat

[bennywhale]

20. Can i ask being an ignorant

Englishmen what the difference between the two terms are. Does on describe something different? Is it derogatory? Also is Hispanic/Latino referring to those from central america? S. America? or both? or anywhere with a Spanish history of conquest.

Apologies for my ignorance but the term doesn't exist really here in Britain

[noahmijo]

31. First off stop apologizing you're not ignorant

I've never been to England I wouldn't know step one of the proper way to act.

To answer your question the term "Hispanic" is a term invented by white people. Not to knock white people, but a term to label an entire culture should be created by the culture I think. A previous poster had a good example when he/she said it's alot like how people call Native Americans "Indians"

The term Latino is to me the more acceptable term to use. "Chicano" is typically used to define the more militant wing of those with Latin-American blood. I think Chicano is more of a term for those with Mexican descent but someone might correct me on that, it's just my experience.

[teknomanzer]

34. Whats in a name...

I'm pretty sure that the term "Chicano" is a strictly Mexican thing. I've never heard it used by Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, or anyone from any South American countries. As a half-breed Puerto Rican I would definitely not refer to myself as chicano, and I rarely use the term Latino, and when I'm filling out paper work with some section on race I hesitantly choose hispanic though I feel drawn toward selecting 'other' because I feel I am a multi-ethnic American.

As to the feelings of those racially intolerant folks of the midwest, well they should remember that a great portion of this country was once (and always has been) a part of Latin America, and a good portion of people of Latin descent have have ancestors that lived in this country long before a majority of white immigrants sailed over. In other words not all latinos are from south of the border if you catch my drift. They should also check that list of Medal of Honor recipients and see just how many names are latino also. Maybe it would be a lost cause. Sometimes I feel like people are ignorant because they want to be.

[Jack_DeLeon]

21. I prefer Hispanic....

but it could be just because I'm from Texas, its a more common term here.

[Xipe Totec]

38. It's more correct to use down south

Especially if it does reflect some Hidalgo heritage.

Personally it does not bother me, and whatever way people like to think of themselves is cool. What bothers me is when the Feds put it on forms and insist that you should not check the 'White' box, if you have a Spanish surname or your family came from a Spanish speaking country. That's where I see a problem.

[StaggerLee]

28. Why not?

Pretty much every state has a vibrant latino community. Are you suggesting that latinos should leave Ohio? That's what these fascists would love to see happen.

[NEOBuckeye]

43. We need MORE diversity here in Ohio. Not less of it.

The more latinos that come to Ohio, the better off we will be, I think.

This state needs more diversity so that we can crowd out the racists.

[madrchsod]

5. "hispanics"

or Mestizos are the new blacks in the land of the aryan nation

[Jack_DeLeon]

22. I seriously fucking doubt that...

Sure there may be some whites who will try to make us the "new black," but that isnt going to fucking happen.

Sure there will be a few who want to keep us down, but they IMO are in the small minority, we on the otherhand will become the majority, and I definately support our right to keep and bear arms incase the future white minority has any funny ideas about keeping us from power.

[TriMetFan]

29. I agree with you.

If we were to unit, we would be the largest political force in the U.S. And I think that those Nazi republicans know this and are scared. We Hispanics/Latinos come in different colors, but have one thing in common our proud Spanish Blood. We as a group are waking up to the fact that we can control a big part of our Nation, but we got to find a good common reason to unite. Our Families/our kids.

[KamaAina]

6. "Rapest". What a moran.

Once again, ignorance and bigotry go hand in hand. Is this why Bush**co is so reluctant to get rid of the ignorance?

[MisterP]

9. that's what they wrote on an Iraqi prisoner at Abu Ghraib

[saigon68]

54. That was RUSTIC SLEEZEBALL Lynndie England's Handiwork

She couldn't SPELL, but she sure could tie her used maxi-pads onto the faces of the Prisoners of War

[slor]

8. I live in Cincinnati, and I can tell you...

that butler county is a area that has had issues with people of color, long before this case.

[Eurobabe]

24. ditto, living in Warren Co.

I heard from someone last year that part of the racial issues in Cincy proper were because they brought in caucasian police officers from the burbs to patrol the beats in urban neighborhoods, and the two got along like fire and gasoline. Tolerance doesn't seem to be too high on the vocab list around this neck of the woods.

[Zynx]

30. Cincinnati is an ugly, racist city, by and large

It's as bad as anything in the South. Same goes for southern Indiana.

[Barkley]

36. I grew up in Cincinnati, and now live in L.A. & You're right 'slor'

I spend my summer months in Cincinnati with my parents and teach at a local college.

I can't understand why Cincinnati has so many racial issues; there's essentially only TWO racial groups and a population of 325,000.

How hard is it to manage that!?!?!?

L.A. has suburbs bigger than that

When Cincinnati has its annual Jazz Festival, the white store owners
in downtown close down their shops.

I just came back from the Indiana Black Expo -- which attracted over 300,000 at its downtown convention center.

I saw only ONE police car the whole time.

Cincinnati could never put on such an event... and these fools had the nerve to bid for the Olympics ...

[NEOBuckeye]

45. Cleveland and Columbus are far more progressive than Cincinnati

I don't quite get Cincy, either. It's like that entire region of Ohio is stuck in some sort of time warp. Unfortunately, it doesn't help the overall image of Ohio in any meaningful way.

Columbus has an African-American mayor (Mike Coleman) and a thriving African-American community. It's actually considered one of the top, most favorable cities in the U.S. for African-American families. If Central Ohio suffers any major racial issues, they seem to be well hidden in Franklin County.

Cleveland, of course, is the most progressive/liberal city-region in Ohio. The last time the KKK dared to show up here to protest and recruit new members (1994? 1995?), they were easily outnumbered and shouted right back out of town by a crowd of white and black people alike. Today, they'd be so lucky if shouting was all they were welcomed with.

[MzShellG]

12. Wonder what AG Gonzales would say about this?

Ofcourse it was Ohio this time that help Bush 'win' in 2004.

[Marthe48]

14. Hispanic is a culture nor a race

What is it that we're allowing some government jerk-off to split racial hairs even more. I'm as 'white' as can be --Swedish -English ancestors--but I never liked it that the government decided to split the biological designation 'Caucasian' into smaller segments--where will they stop if we accept that Hispanics are a race? Its just another big lie.

I got to go to Brazil a few years ago, and our family hosted a student from Spain and a student from Costa Rica, plus we've met many Hispanics because of the hosting experience. You know the biggest thing I've learned? --I've learned that because of the narrow view of the school curriculum, I've missed out on another entire parallel world of art, history, and culture. The Spanish student took American history while he was with us--he told me that in the history books in his home schools, the Spanish were the heroes, not the bad guys. I saw art in Brazil from artists I never heard of, but so stunning, so expressive, so well done, I can only resent that my art teachers chose to focus on American and European art rather that introduce us to so much more. I've had the experience of scratching the surface of a cultural experience, and I understand that each person, each background can make me a richer person, if I care to take the time to learn.

I'm from Ohio--born and raised near Cleveland, now living at the southern border of the state. I love my state, even if I loathe the Republican criminals dragging us down. When I grew up in Cleveland racial diversity and cultural enrichment rubbed shoulders in every neighborhood and when I left, I took the interest and respect I developed along.

Regarding this crime, it doesn't matter what background a rapist comes from--if he harmed the little girl, we should be appalled he hurt a child and everything else becomes meaningless. I've noticed over time that it is easier to hate visible differences, its easy to demonize someone because of appearance. Hamilton OH -- the people there who are committing violence agaist Hispanics rather than trying to understand the nature of violent crime, are taking the thoughtless easy way out--attack Them, don't even look at the invisible causes of crimes against children. Its a sad fact of life that among Us, we also have monsters, we just don't see them as easily.

[JI7]

16. ignorant fucks

these assholes were always bigots and they are just using this as an excuse to go after people who are "different".

[bleedingheartlib83]

17. I'm sick of this

Racism is alive and well even in the year 2005, it's just sad. The media always portray Latinos as gang bangers, drug dealers, it's the same shit over and over. Shit like this pisses me off :argh:

[confludemocrat]

25. "Backlash": longtime codeword for upsurges of white racism used in media

Pogroms are "backlash", lynchings could have been termed that if the word existed then, the 1966 off-year elections were termed "white backlash", post 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights acts and various fair housing acts. The decline of the Democratic Party since 1964 is based on "backlash". There has been a continuous backlash to desegregation. White supremacy-based backlash racism is always on a hair trigger, and the dominant white culture fights against recognizing this mass dysfunctionality in their own minds with the super patriotism, "we are no 1", "shining city on a hill", "bringing democracy to the middle east" and before that saving SE Asia from communism blather, to escape into denial about our national achilles heel, which is the root of all our evil.

[Xipe Totec]

39. Yea, I hate the term 'Backlash'. It Implies justification

Where there is none.

[OKthatsIT]

33. Well...welcome to Ohio

doesnt surprise me...given what we've seen there in the past year.

[Barkley]

40. Is there an A.N.S.W.E.R. branch in Ohio?

If so may be we ought to march in Hamilton. At least the NAACP should get involved.

[Bridget Burke]

48. LULAC is starting a Cincinnati chapter.

http://midwestlatino.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=222

And there's already one in Dayton:

http://www.geocities.com/lulac_council39000/

LULAC stands for League of United Latin American Citizens, of course.

[AlphaCentauri]

49. 18 Century mentality is alive n/t