Derogatory labeling

Posted on June 9, 2006 - Filed Under Punch Forum |

Lily Castillo
lilycastillo8263@yahoo.com
9 June 2006

Barbary Coast is part of the Bay Area’s history that northern California residents do not care to be a part of. Over the years, “Barbary” evokes nothing but negative connotations. It’s almost as demeaning as calling San Francisco “Frisco”. In the seventies, we were called “Flips”, Mexicans were called “wetbacks”, and Vietnamese were called FOBs – fresh off boats. These were derogatory in nature, popularized by the narrow minded population. Barbary Coast is a footnote in the Bay Area’s history books, and Edwin is taking offense in associating his beloved city to such negativity. We should be able to respect this, after all we don’t really want to be called “pangalatoks” do we?