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White Guy Who is Married to a Mexican-American

Dear Gabacho: “The Relationship Between First Names and Teacher Expectations for Achievement Motivation,” co-authored by Tracy N. Anderson-Clark, Raymond J. Green, and Tracy B. Henley for the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Language and Social Psychology, found that teachers in a test case conducted in Dallas elementary schools consistently gave lower achievement scores to a sample student with a Latino first name (Xavier) than a gabacho one (Ethan) when all other factors were equal. But rather than put the blame squarely on teacher bigotry, the researchers targeted the names themselves. “Although names can represent family, culture, heritage, religion, and parents’ hopes and dreams,” the researchers concluded, “parents should understand that hopes and dreams can also be compromised by the power of a name.” ¡Pinche pendejos! Parents: proudly name your kiddies Xochitl, Tenorio, and your boys Guadalupe. Also? The Mexican knows more than a few wab Brads and Ashleys who are as dumb as Susana Martinez.

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