I am required to write a least one thought provoking blog a month

So here goes. This months topic: racism.
I wouldn't call it as much racism, but more a feeling of superiority.

Since I have moved here I have really enjoyed the Tico people and their culture. From the people giving up their seats on the bus for older or pregnant women. Or the people taking a real interest in helping my find some place, even though I did not buy anything from their store. It seems like a more relaxed atmosphere, although people in the city drive and walk much crazier than people in the states.

However, the general attitude toward Nicaraguans or Nicos is the only thing that is really troubling. I can understand the general ribbing or teasing one of my students gets because they say he looks like a Nico. That is all in good fun. But it goes a lot further than that. In the baseball game I went to my first week, the catcher and one of the opposing teams fan got into a yelling match and started cursing at each other. The woman, a Nica, and the catcher from Costa Rica. I could actually understand the cuss words then the woman repeatedly saying Nicaragua and don't make fun of my country.

It was not just this incident, but the feeling in general that gives me kind of a sour taste. The people looking and laughing at people buying the Nico Times. The spraypainted graffiti all over the walls.

I know both Ticos and Nicos are very proud of their heritage so maybe I am making too much of this, but it seems very prevalent everywhere I go. One of my students the other night pointed out to me it is very similar to the United States and Mexico. The Nicaraguans working in Costa Rica are generally doing labor work and living illegally. He said most Costa Ricans don't dislike Nicaraguans, but that the few Nicaraguans that do bad things and are bad people give the country a bad name.

I don't really what to think. I haven't read anything in the paper about hate crimes or malicious acts. And the only real fight I saw was at the baseball game. Feel free to send me your thoughts and if you think I am overreacting.