Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt;andlt;bigandgt;DEAR MEXICAN:andlt;/bigandgt;andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;WHAT IS andlt;iandgt;and#161;ASK A MEXICAN!andlt;/iandgt; ?andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Questions and answers about our spiciest Americans. I explore the clichand#233;s of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;WHY SHOULD I READ andlt;iandgt;and#161;ASK A MEXICAN!andlt;/iandgt; ?andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; At 37 million strong (or 13 percent of the U.S. population), Latinos have become America's largest minority -- and beaners make up some two-thirds of that number. I confront the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to me by readers of my andlt;iandgt;and#161;Ask a Mexican!andlt;/iandgt; column in California's andlt;iandgt;OC Weeklyandlt;/iandgt;. I challenge you to find a more entertaining way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;OKAY, WHY DO MEXICANS PARK THEIR CARS ON THE FRONT LAWN?andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Where do you want us to park them? The garage we rent out to a family of five? The backyard where we put up our recently immigrated cousins in tool-shack-cum-homes? The street with the red curbs recently approved by city planners? The driveway covered with construction materials for the latest expansion of andlt;iandgt;la casaandlt;/iandgt;? The nearby school parking lot frequented by cholos on the prowl for a new radio? The lawn is the only spot Mexicans can park their cars without fear of break-ins, drunken crashes, or an unfortunate keying. Besides, what do you think protects us from drive-bys? The cops?
Synopsis
DEAR MEXICAN:
WHAT IS ASK A MEXICAN ?
Questions and answers about our spiciest Americans. I explore the cliches of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.
WHY SHOULD I READ ASK A MEXICAN ?
At 37 million strong (or 13 percent of the U.S. population), Latinos have become America's largest minority -- and beaners make up some two-thirds of that number. I confront the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to me by readers of my Ask a Mexican column in California's OC Weekly. I challenge you to find a more entertaining way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.
OKAY, WHY DO MEXICANS PARK THEIR CARS ON THE FRONT LAWN?
Where do you want us to park them? The garage we rent out to a family of five? The backyard where we put up our recently immigrated cousins in tool-shack-cum-homes? The street with the red curbs recently approved by city planners? The driveway covered with construction materials for the latest expansion of la casa? The nearby school parking lot frequented by cholos on the prowl for a new radio? The lawn is the only spot Mexicans can park their cars without fear of break-ins, drunken crashes, or an unfortunate keying. Besides, what do you think protects us from drive-bys? The cops?
Synopsis
From award-winning columnist and favorite talking head Gustavo Arellano, comes this explosive, irreverent, smart, and hilarious Los Angeles Times bestseller. Ask a Mexican is a collection of questions and answers from Gustavo Arellano that explore the clich s of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.
At a strong eighteen percent of the U.S. population, Latinos have become America's largest minority--and Mexicans make up a large part of that number. Gustavo confronts the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to him by readers of his Ask a Mexican column in California's OC Weekly. He challenges readers to find a more entertaining way to understand Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.
From lighter topics like Latin pop and great Mexican food to more serious issues like immigration and race relations, Ask a Mexican runs the gamut. Why do Mexicans call white people gringos? Are all Mexicans Catholic? What's the best tequila? Gustavo answers a wide range of legitimate and illegitimate questions, in the hopes of making a few readers angry, making most of us laugh, sparking a greater dialogue, and enhancing cross-cultural understanding.
Synopsis
An irreverent, hilarious, and informative look at Mexican-American culture is taken by a rising star in the alternative media, as well as a new kid on the block in such mainstream venues as NPR, the "Los Angeles Times, Today," and "The Colbert Report."
Synopsis
DEAR MEXICAN:
WHAT IS ¡ASK A MEXICAN! ?
Questions and answers about our spiciest Americans. I explore the clichés of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.
WHY SHOULD I READ ¡ASK A MEXICAN! ?
At 37 million strong (or 13 percent of the U.S. population), Latinos have become America's largest minority -- and beaners make up some two-thirds of that number. I confront the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to me by readers of my ¡Ask a Mexican! column in California's OC Weekly. I challenge you to find a more entertaining way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.
OKAY, WHY DO MEXICANS PARK THEIR CARS ON THE FRONT LAWN?
Where do you want us to park them? The garage we rent out to a family of five? The backyard where we put up our recently immigrated cousins in tool-shack-cum-homes? The street with the red curbs recently approved by city planners? The driveway covered with construction materials for the latest expansion of la casa? The nearby school parking lot frequented by cholos on the prowl for a new radio? The lawn is the only spot Mexicans can park their cars without fear of break-ins, drunken crashes, or an unfortunate keying. Besides, what do you think protects us from drive-bys? The cops?
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Gustavo Arellanoandlt;/Bandgt;and#8217;s andlt;iandgt;and#161;Ask a Mexican! andlt;/iandgt;column has a circulation of more than two million in thirty-eight markets (and counting). He has received the Presidentand#8217;s Award from the Los Angeles Press Club, an Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and a 2008 Latino Spirit Award from the California State legislature. Arellano has appeared on the Today show, Nightline, NPRand#8217;s Talk of the Nation, and The Colbert Report. For more information, visit AskAMexican.net.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING VIA WETBACK JOKES
1. LANGUAGE
CURSE WORDS, GREASERS, AND LECHEROUS WHISTLES
2. CULTURA
CHICKENS, DWARVES, AND THE SOCCER-OSAMA CONNECTION
3. SEXO
DIRTY SÁNCHEZ, JUANGAS, AND INDOMITABLE SPERM
4. INMIGRACIÓN
MORE, MORE, AND MORE
5. MUSIC
MORRISSEY, MELODICAS, AND AY YI YI YIS
6. FOOD
TAMALES, HOT SAUCE, AND TESTICULAR AVOCADOS
7. ETHNIC RELATIONS
CHINITOS, NEGRITOS, GABACHOS, AND WABS
8. FASHION
FAKE BLONDES, MUSTACHES, AND SWIMMING WITH JEANS
9. WORK
ORANGES, DAY LABORERS, AND LAZY KENTUCKIANS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS