Five illustrations which try to capture five popular Mexican sayings for a special feature on racism in everyday language. Published in February 2018.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bc26e5d348fe84c4597a3e9036d834e4/7400e383-a7f5-44c8-b649-29a703b72e0e_rw_1200.jpg?h=be61a06dd7fdcdb9e1b5f50a2deaf552)
«No seas codo, pareces judío»
Literal translation, please note this just doesn't translate: "don't be an elbow (stingy, in Mexican Spanish), you're just like a jew".
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bc26e5d348fe84c4597a3e9036d834e4/648d7647-a777-4cc5-bc73-c765d422062a_rw_1200.jpg?h=ac266c94e8e80f051cb0b90ff0113df8)
«No tiene la culpa el indio, sino el que lo hace compadre»
Literal translation, please note this just doesn't translate: "the Indian is not to blame, but the one who makes him his pal".
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bc26e5d348fe84c4597a3e9036d834e4/67d88d65-3cb1-4294-b840-c56dc226280c_rw_1200.jpg?h=b7d4a0e2d010d4bb887120281b2bc08e)
«Cara de Olmeca»
Literal translation, this one is easier: "Olmeca face".
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bc26e5d348fe84c4597a3e9036d834e4/b100b15d-987f-4130-9888-d6b9d244a806_rw_1200.jpg?h=8c6a041e2bdf2747a88c235e66965aca)
«Hasta entre los perros hay razas»
Literal translation, this one even works: "even between dogs there are races".
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bc26e5d348fe84c4597a3e9036d834e4/5917645d-bd04-4b88-a90e-b92b893e9773_rw_1200.jpg?h=34a859880f6145521f6834be8c89c020)
«Trabajo como negro para vivir como blanco»
Literal translation, though an international classic: "I work as a black man in order to live as a white man".