[KSig RC]

I wait tables in a 'traditional'-style Mexican restaurant. The overwhelming majority of the management and kitchen staff is hispanic, and again the majority are from Mexico.

If you refer to them as "Hispanics" you'll get laughed at - they're Mexican, and prefer to be referred to as such.

If you refer to them as "Mexicans" but in a tone that connotes "Dirty Mexicans" or some other ignorant tripe, you're going to get your ass kicked like it's your job.

Honestly, I think this is the way to look at things - connotation is key. If you're white, people can call you white with no 'racist' overtones, even when angry. It can be like calling someone blonde. However, I think that it's apparent that there is far more history of using terms such as "black" or "colored" to connote something negative than there is history of "white" or "caucasian" with this connotation.

This may help to explain the feelings of SigmaChiCard in some small way, perhaps?