Why are African Americans sometimes referred to as "Mayates"
2
votes
I have heard some people refer to African Americans as "Mayates". Is this not derogatory?
115438 views
updated Feb 4, 2010
posted by kaypasa
2 Answers
1
vote
Yes, it is.
Literally, it means 'dung beetle'.
In Mexico, it is also used as a derogatory term for homosexuals.
updated Feb 4, 2010
posted by luki13
Which makes it "double-bad," in my opinion. - 0057ed01, Jan 28, 2010
Thank you so much. I thought it was derogatory, but was told it is just "slang" for referencing a person of African descent, or a Black person. This is good information. - kaypasa, Jan 28, 2010
De nada. - luki13, Jan 28, 2010
Suggestion, Luki. Why not give Kaypasa a vote "up" on her good question? She's new, and that may encourage her to come back often. - 0057ed01, Jan 28, 2010
Done! - luki13, Feb 4, 2010
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Welcome to the Forum. You begin what we hope will be many visits with a provocative and enlightening question. (I hope it's the latter...)
Sadly, I know about mayate from a good friend's personal experience.
It definitely is a derogatory word that not only Mexicans but also other Spanish-speaking people use.
What makes it especially evil is that Mayate is the name of a black, dung-eating beetle.
updated Jan 28, 2010
posted by 0057ed01
