[Aztlan] Indian ?

[Margarita B. Marin-Dale]

Listeros,
   
  I believe Mario makes an important point.  In Latin America, in particular, the term "indio" is loaded with more than just historical baggage.  Members of the upper classes often use this term to describe persons whom they perceive to be ill-mannered, uneducated, and inferior, whether or not the person is an "Indian."  Although the term has obvious racial connotations, it also has strong social, economic, and cultural overtones that may not be readily perceived by non-Latin Americans.  This is why I suggest to my students that they use the word "indigena" in lieu of the word "indio."  Unlike the word "indio," the term "indigena" (with an accent over the i) is more neutral and doesn't communicate those additional negative shades of meaning.  In Spanish the term indigena may be used both as an adjective and a noun. 
   
  Saludos,
  Margarita
  

mario malo <troycabo at yahoo.com> wrote:
  Reading the book 1491 the author uses the term Indian over and over, is this correct? We all know this is a term given mistakenly and in some Native American cultures it is an insult, growing up I heard over and over the term Indios to mean stupid, inferior and lazy! Isnt it time to stop using the word Indian? Mario Malo

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