“This line is starting to look like Loop 12 and I’m not feelin’ that,” said the blue-vested Sam’s Club cashier after realizing the line had started to bend all the way around toward the electronics department. The people in line had started to grow impatient as the Asian woman in front of me continually searched for a coupon in her purse that would make her “Tub-o-Mayo” 40 cents cheaper.

About this time, I heard someone behind me say, “The line starts back there,” in a very direct tone. I believe time stopped for a few moments as a Hispanic woman took a moment to absorb the sarcastic remark hurled in her direction from the white woman by which she was standing.

I did turn around and look to see that the Hispanic lady had come parallel to the line – making it to the end would be impossible because of the density of people.

Suddenly, the Hispanic woman fired back, “I was waiting over here because I couldn’t get to the end of the line…but I guess that’s how Caucasians are.” Did she actually just use the phrase, “I guess that’s how Caucasians are,”?! Suddenly, I realized many things.

First, the “caucasians” have become the minority around these here parts. Second, I really need a shower. Third, (and most importantly) this is the kind of behavior that gives Hispanics the ignorant and unintelligent stereotype that they have been saddled with for many years.

The Hispanic woman continued to dig her embarrassing hole, bullying the white woman with remarks like, “They better have security in the parking lot,” among other threats. Her extra poking and prodding did nothing but make everyone in line terribly uncomfortable. We all just stood there anxiously waiting to leave and return to the safety of our cars.

In retrospect, what I don’t understand most is why the Hispanic woman decided to make the situation a racial issue. Even though I am a Mexican, I do not sympathize with the culture, nor am I some uber-prideful hombre. Why shower your culture with more negative reassurances, confirming the truth of a stereotype, as opposed to being a positive example to the community?

As the dust settled, I tightened the bandana around my head and handed the cashier the pesos for my 85-pound bag of dog food to feed our eight pit bulls. On the drive home with my Dad and six brothers tucked tightly into our chrome-adorned Ford pick-up, the thought hit me – stereotypes must have some truth, mang.

About the writer:

Matt Villanueva is junior advertising major. He can be reached at [email protected]