Cultura

It’s Not News to Us

This is true story of my fight to earn the right to be Smiley #1

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My mother, Carmen, often sent me to La Paloma Market, while my brother Salomon watched I Love Lucy re-runs. We lived in East Los Angeles’ Ramona Gardens housing project, where I had to be selective about the routes I took.

Since I feared the barking dogs along the alley, I always took a shortcut through the hill that was controlled by a local gang, the Hill Boys. The homeboys never bothered me on my daily trip for groceries, especially since we attended Murchison Elementary School at the same time.

Mas…This is true story of my fight to earn the right to be Smiley #1

New generation defends San Diego’s Barrio Logan, Chicano Park (video)

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It’s been five decades since San Diego’s Barrio Logan activists (like POCHO fave Chunky Sanchez) fought for Chicano Park. Now a new generation is stepping up to make sure this vital community resource thrives. One of them is POCHO’s Chicano Punk Rock Artesano Joaquin “Junco” Canché who is concerned with the effects of gentrification. (His segment starts at 5:35.) [Video by Voice of San Diego.]

I smoked weed before it was legal: 1 Chicano, BD (before dispensaries)

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By John Edward Rangel

Smoking cannabis became a regular form of medication for me when I was 15 years old. That was in 1977. Back then the U.S.A. was still reeling from the Vietnam War, Watergate and something the media referred to as “The Generation Gap” (we called it arguing with our parents).

These were trying, confusing times (much like now), and for a teenaged Chicano in East L.A. who had to deal with the added effects of institutionalized rascism (big white cops called us “Pancho” and beat us with gusto) it was sometimes overwhelming. Getting numb helped me cope.

Almost every adult I knew medicated on something.

Mas…I smoked weed before it was legal: 1 Chicano, BD (before dispensaries)

WATCH: Mexicans + African-Americans + Gabachos: Mississipi ❤️ ‘hot tamales’

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First, Mexicans from just over the border brought tamales to the fertile Mississippi Delta. African-Americans soon realized the Mexicans had a good thing going in these little, corn-husk-wrapped magical meat pies.

And, sure enough, area whites realized the masa miracles weren’t just for people of color anymore. And that’s why Mississippi loves tamales.

Yes, we know proper Spanish means it is one tamal, two tamales. But we’re not proper Spanish speakers or proper anything, actually.

POCHO HISTORY 101: ‘Americanizing’ Mexicans by changing their diet

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Is what you eat political?

Do you accept the claim that your food choices determine your social order in this world?

And do you accept that conforming to white American norms in eating is important in transforming people of color into better citizens? Will assimilating one’s food choices make people of color less prone to crime and revolutionary tendencies?

Believe it or not, this is something that has been explored and well discussed in our communities for over a century.

In the 1920s in Southern California there were social reformers who were sent on transform the eating choices made by the public, especially among the immigrant working-class.

One of the most notable reformers to arise in this era was a lady by the name of Pearl Idelia Ellis, of the Department of Americanization and Homemaking, of Covina City Elementary Schools.

She was the author the guide Americanization though Homemaking which was published in 1929, detailing her work.

Mas…POCHO HISTORY 101: ‘Americanizing’ Mexicans by changing their diet

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When is a taco not a taco? What does the Icelandic chef say? (video)

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This Seafood Taco in a Nordic Style LOOKS LIKE A TACO but except for the fish, there is not one ingredient you’d see in a taco in your neighborhood. The “tortilla” is made from rye flour, the “skyr sauce” is some kind of Icelandic yogurt, and the fennel and watercress are not your abuelita’s pico de gallo. All in all, it might be delish. But is it a taco? Discuss. [EDITOR’s NOTE: Canadians have craftily rebranded “rapeseed oil.” We North Americans call it “Canola” eh.]

Pocho Ocho top things Latinos are giving up for Lent

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During Lent, according to Wikipedia, “many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence.”

Here are the Pocho Ocho Top luxuries Latinos are giving up for Lent:

8. Theatrical trailers for Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

7. Speaking respectfully to creditors

6. Exploitation of conchas, especially pink ones

Mas…Pocho Ocho top things Latinos are giving up for Lent

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