I'm her mom, not the nanny!

[Liberal_in_LA]

I'm her mom, not the nanny!



New York (CNN) -- We were at a Manhattan water park when it happened. I was with my then 3-year-old daughter, Luna, playing in a sandpit on a foul, chilly morning beneath clouds that looked like ripped paper. It was no day to be outside, but living in a city of small apartments, it was no day to be inside with a child either.

A little girl approached the two of us, clearly interested in playing. But when she arrived, she addressed only Luna. Pointing a finger at me, she asked her, "Is that your baby sitter?"

I've been mistaken for baby sitters all my life, or waitresses, sales clerks, even the occasional cleaning lady -- but it's a whole new experience to have it happen in front of my child.

It's not that there are no Latinos in Manhattan who wouldn't upset the stereotypes. There are just too few of us in the upper middle class universe where I live who aren't, well, baby-sitting or selling things. I get where this idea originated. I even understand why little kids are so frank.

Then her dad walked over." "I'm her mother," I told him, and he looked perplexed. "I don't think we know anybody Hispanic who isn't a baby sitter," he said.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/07/18/arce.latino.mother/

[midnight]

1. Discrimination is alive and well.... What we are seeing now is a clear cut form of classism in

America... Many people in America would be happy to have any job right now.... We need to raise awareness that babysitting is awesome important... and deserves to be compensated for the important work it is.... Being any race or gender should not diminish your worth via the job you do....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Stereotypes come from anywhere...

Good for this mom.

Recommended.

[mysuzuki2]

3. We have a similar situation in my family. My (white) son had a baby

with a quite light-skinned African American woman. My now almost 5 year old granddaughter is very Blonde, and has blue eyes. She's also very sweet, in case you were wondering!

[cali]

4. I have a friend with five kids. She's African American. Her husband

is blond and blue eyed. All the kids are blond and blue eyed but one. People are always assuming they aren't her kids.

[ecstatic]

5. I would be so pissed! I think sexism/weightism may also be

playing a role in the over the top treatment she is receiving. Her daughter has a girly look, but she has short hair and a tomboy look which could be throwing people off. Nevertheless, I can' believe people are that bold/rude!!

[malaise]

6. My sister went to pick up her daughter from the hairdresser

on my niece's wedding day and asked if they saw her - one of the women said no one looking like her was there and her daughter who was in another room heard and said Mom and walked over and hugged her. They are like twins of different shades with the identical dimples - unless you were a racist you must know they are mother and daughter - ah Dallas Texas.

[EFerrari]

7. My mother told me once she didn't want to push my youngest in his stroller

because the neighbors would think she stole him.

[shireen]

8. she handles it with grace and dignity

my instinct would be to verbally lash out at idiots. i don't have her patience and tolerance.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. I agree with you there. The comment - "I don't know hispanics who aren't babysitter" is so

&^%% racist and STUPID. Even if he stereotyped hispanics in lower wage jobs, you have to know that most aren't babysitters!! OMG. and who would let that stupid comment cross their stupid lips.

[CakeGrrl]

11. He might have just stated the fact of his personal environment.

It's possible that he has NO Hispanic friends, so literally the only Hispanic people with whom he has a personal acquaintance happen to be the nannies/caregivers for his friends.

[polmaven]

10. I don't think I know any "Hispanic"

who is as much of a bigot as that father. That poor child. She has to grow up in an atmosphere of bigotry. That must be very difficult.