Republicans successfully made the word "liberal" into a bad word. It has only been recently that liberals are proudly claiming they are Liberals again. I want the same thing to happen for Mexicans.
Harry Potter refused to NOT say Lord Voldemort for fear of the name only increases fear and distrust of the person. Avoiding using the word Mexican is the same concept.
My Mexican friends describe themselves as Mexican or Mexican Americans (if they are citizens). I refuse to shy away from identifying them the same way they identify themselves and other white Americans should do the same. And they should especially stop using the word Mexican as a derogatory term and they should stop lowering their voice to a whisper when they say things like, "he is Mexican"...they are only perpetuating the Racist belief that being Mexican is something to be ashamed or embarrassed about.
Okay...off my soapbox for now