Last night on KSFO, Brian Sussman played a tape of the message you get when you call the DMV.
In English it says "The DMV will be closed Monday, Oct 13, for Columbus Day" then it goes on in Espanol with "...will be closed Monday, Oct 13 por Dia de la Raza". (for the 'Day of the Race').
Nothing racist here.
What exactly is racist here?
"Día de la Raza
Columbus Day, also known as Native American Day, celebrates our heritage
October 12 (or the nearest Monday to it) is traditionally celebrated throughout the Americas as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.
In English speaking countries, the day is celebrated as Columbus Day or Native American Day. In Spanish speaking countries and communities, is is known as Día de la Raza, the Day of the Race.
Día de la Raza is the celebration of the Hispanic heritage of Latin America and brings into it all the ethnic and cultural influences making it distinctive.
It is celebrated on October 12 in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. "
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/library/weekly/aa100601a.htm