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"Pinches Negros" does not roughly translate into "fucking niggers." A more approximate translation would be "fucking blacks." In Latin America, blacks are called Negros and the word does not have the same negative connotation attached to the word Nigger in American English. However, in Mexican slang, there is a word that does translate a lot closer to the word Nigger and that word is Mayate.

Comment by JP — March 25, 2008 @ 11:01PM

Let me add that this is a good article and highlights a problem prevalent through our city's history. For instance the construction of the T-Third line. Although it was smack dab in the HP, most of the jobs went to people outside the neighborhood. There were a couple protests that stopped work along the line, but they only achieved minimal change, since so few neighborhood residents were hired.

Comment by JP — March 25, 2008 @ 11:05PM

In reporter Lauren Smiley's article, "Building Racism," she mentions that the Spanish phrase "pinches negros" roughly translates to "f****ing n***rs."

It only translates that way if your only experience speaking and translating Spanish is a freshman year high school introduction to Spanish class. The proper, and most culturally widespread translation, would be, "damn black people."

I am a fan of your publication but wish you wouldn't allow non-fluent Spanish speakers like Ms. Smiley to represent themselves as experts on Spanish translations if they aren't.

If Ms. Smiley didn't translate the phrase herself and (more likely) grabbed some intern in her office to do the translation for her as a favor, it still does not excuse the SF Weekly's lack of fact-checking.

Sincerely,
A PROFESSIONAL translator and Spanish instructor

Comment by MAl — March 26, 2008 @ 01:03PM

As usual, the same old game is being played. Set the poor, disadvantaged and the darker races against each other. It is the same old "divide and conquer" scheme. I am black, and it really pains me to see how we let ourselves be used day after day by the "Empire" those who seem to control very existence, when all that is needed is some togetherness. Indeed, we will not survive without it. The Philistines are together.

Comment by Marilyn White — March 27, 2008 @ 05:09AM

"pinches negros" (which translates roughly to "fucking niggers")
You are wrong, it DOESN'T "roughly" translate into that. Check your facts BEFORE you publish something to stir more trouble!

Comment by Monica — March 27, 2008 @ 05:20AM

Ironic, or maybe not, that another liberal would do her best to keep blacks and latinos fighting each other by getting the trans;ation sooooo wrong.

Remmeber its not whites that are minorities worst enemies, its the minorities themselves.

Comment by franco — March 27, 2008 @ 03:23PM

Remember last year or two spanish female up there in Plano was ignoring black workers at the laborors pick up center?

nothing hapened to her now did it

So instead of feeding the hate, DO writer, look at the facts.

The company is getting sued because they have deep pockets.

Racism is a many way street

Comment by franco — March 27, 2008 @ 03:27PM

Why do we pretend.

People generally feel comfortable around people who look like them, speak like them etc.

No laws can change humans natural way.

Its natural because not only the survival of the human race but survival of ONES OWN LINEAGE means people are attracted to people who look like them, speak like them etc.

Sure, fairy tale type people think life should be a certain way and dont mind making laws or stopping the opposite thoughts from being expressed to further their "noble" cause but it doesnt change the above FACT!

The best we can hope for is that children are raised correctly and their self-repsect translates into respect for others

Comment by franco — March 27, 2008 @ 03:36PM

This is poetic justice. Notice...no white carpenters. Blacks successfully shut out white construction workers in San Francisco years ago using the same dirty tricks, like placing construction schools in the center of black areas which are dangerous to white students. If whites sued a job site for discrimination they would be laughed out of court. Blacks have had this coming for years and years....

Comment by sfi — March 28, 2008 @ 05:51PM

Covering The Coverage: SF Weekly Could Use A Lesson On Race And Language
http://guanabee.com/2008/03/covering-the-coverage-sf-weekl-1.php

And it's Aguilares not Aguilars. God, that's driving me crazy.

Comment by La Cindy — April 2, 2008 @ 11:07AM