Latinos Take Back "That Mexican Thing" Hashtag

Mike Pence really proved his worth as Donald Trump's running mate on Tuesday night. During the lone vice presidential debate, the Indiana governor uttered one incendiary comment after another, bringing him much closer to the Donald, who was known for his verbal attacks long before announcing his candidacy. During the debate, Pence attempted to minimize opponent Tim Kaine's experiences in Latin America, incredulously asking, "you whipped out that Mexican thing again?" Though incredibly offensive, Latinos are taking back "that Mexican thing" and using it as a hashtag to highlight the many success stories in the immigrant community.

Kaine first went to Honduras in 1974 as a high school student. He returned in 1980 while in college, where he volunteered alongside Jesuit missionaries in El Progreso. The Virginia senator traveled throughout Central America. It was a formative experience that continues to reflect back on his politics. A proud, Spanish-speaking American, Kaine has worked to assist the underserved immigrant and Latino community throughout the course of his political career. Latino viewers were thrilled to see Kaine once again discussing his commitment to the community, taking to Twitter to use #ThatMexicanThing to not only highlight their plight but expressed additional support for the Democrat.

Immigrants Have Made Great Sacrifices For A Better Life

Sacrifices For Their Children ...

Who Grow Up To Be Politicians ...

Graduate College ...

And Are Proudly Multicultural & Educated

Where Education Is A Family Value ...

And Generational Victories Are Still Celebrated

Latinos Fight Discrimination ...

No Matter How Ridiculous ...

With Every Success

Even politicians are getting in on the hashtag, which began trending shortly after the debate had concluded at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego is in good company with fellow Latinos from all walks of life, including journalists and activists and even a Clinton campaign worker. Perhaps the most impressive coopting of "that Mexican thing" was from a Clinton supporter, who bought up thatmexicanthing.com. The URL redirects to the Clinton campaign website.

Many people used the hashtag as a way to harken back to the countless troubling statements made about immigrants and Latinos throughout the Trump campaign, including from Latinos for Trump founder Marco Gutierrez, who tried to warn voters about the dangers of Mexican immigrants last month.

"My culture is a very dominant culture, and it’s imposing and it’s causing problems. If you don’t do something about it, you’re going to have taco trucks on every corner," Gutierrez said. The statement not only attracted unintended support but, were it to become a reality, would effectively generate incredible job and economic growth in the country. Nary a soul saw Gutierrez's warning as a negative prediction. Thanks to some hashtag activism, #ThatMexicanThing is proving to be even more wonderful and inspiring.