There is a racist undercurrent in American politics that has me dumbfounded because it displays the inept ignorance of some American voters. Put the pitchforks away and read on because this is an important point and you’ll likely agree with me at the end.

Racism is often confused or misused in politics. Disagree with someone politically or use common vernacular language that is misused by others hurtling racist epitaphs and the accusations of racism immediately crops up. Accusations of “cultural misappropriations” have some how also become an issue.

I’ve known racist people in El Paso and I’ve known El Pasoans who discriminate. Most are Hispanic, and others are Anglo. What? Hispanic racists?!? I’ve also known Mexican citizens who are either racist or discriminate against “pochos” because of issues with the Spanish language.

The problem is that discrimination and racism are often interchanged in politics because its not about whether a candidate is good, but rather it is about tearing down candidates to help a favored politico.

Racism is discrimination based on the color of the skin. Discrimination is abusing someone because they are different. Often, discrimination is driven by socio-economic differences. Rich people make fun of the poor because the poor have “old” shoes and “dirty” clothing. The poor assume that the rich are always happy because money makes everything good.

We all discriminate against others one way or the other.

The problem is that discrimination has blurred into racism.

As many of you know, there is some controversy over the use “Beto” by Robert O’Rourke in his quest for Ted Cruz’s seat at the Senate.

That his name is an issue, frankly, has me flabbergasted.

I’m flabbergasted not because of the name, per se, but because voters find it controversial enough for me to come across several meme’s about Beto not being Hispanic.

As they say, what’s in a name.

Peek down through the noise of whether “Beto” was Beto when he was a child or whether he adopted the name for political purposes and you’ll come across the ugliness of discrimination masked as racism.

Anyone from the U.S.-México border knows that Mexican Hispanics, like their Mexican brethren, use nicknames for themselves. A Mexican without a nickname is, well, there is no such thing. From “gordo,” to “flaco” to even “negro” or my least favorites; “ing,” or “lic” – there is a nickname for every Mexican, even “pendejo” works more often than not.

The problem for the “Beto” narrative is that somehow the nickname “Beto” is some nefarious cultural misappropriation to hoodwink Hispanics to vote.

But everyone in political circles realizes that the “Hispanic surge” isn’t happening in November, and likely not anytime soon. The Hispanic voting surge is like Bigfoot, always being talked about but never seen.

But the racism exists in that the name controversy is being talked about so extensively that there are various news reports “correcting” the record as to whether Beto O’Rourke is Hispanic enough.

Who gives a shit?

Why does it matter if he is Hispanic or not?

The fact is that Beto O’Rourke is from the U.S.-México border.

The fact is that Beto O’Rourke has a political history that can and should be scrutinized.

That people are wondering whether he is Hispanic or not because of “Beto” says a lot about the voters who think about such things. If you care whether his name is “Beto” then you are racist, or more likely you discriminate based on social-economic status or cultural heritage.

People who care if “Beto” is his real name should not be voting.

But the thing that bothers me the most is that Rafael Edward Cruz is not “Ted,” yet people refer to him as “Ted”. Why? Because “Ted” is his nickname.

Imagine that!

But, I’m not finished with the hypocrisy of the whole thing.

Rafael Edward Cruz was born in Canada.

Where is the outrage on his “immigrant” status or of his lack of native-born American culture?

Why is Ted Cruz allowed to be an American Hispanic, but not Beto O’Rourke?

Therein lies the racism in some American voters who care about whether “Beto” is Beto enough to be Hispanic.