by Gustavo Arellano
Dear Mexican: Why does every Mexican rap/hip-hop track constantly retain the words, “No paramos,” “Nunca paramos,” or other logically comparable declaration (e.g. “Siempre avanzaremos,” “No acabaremos de seguir,” etc.)? Can’t you people become more initial? I am talking about, think about it! It’s maybe maybe not as if you all talk a language which makes rhyming specially hard, and I’m yes one or more among these barrio-dwellers-turned-rap-star millonarios can find a diccionario de sinonimos and state something more encouraged than the things I hear duplicated on every pinche track. Or even, do you want to please purchase one for them? You’re a journalist. You’ve surely got to get one, appropriate? —Dando los Punetazos a Mis Ninitos.
Dear Child-Abusing Gabacho: You’re criticizing the culture that is wrong. It’s hip-hop, perhaps perhaps perhaps not Mexican tradition, which has made “No paramos” (“We don’t stop”) a cliche for the genre since “Rapper’s Delight.” Plus the music that is same has historically provided lyrical pats regarding the straight straight back because of its audience, whether black colored or brown or working-class, by preaching advancement, solidarity, pride, and activism. They’re leitmotifs, son, similar to just just how all Ramones rip-offs shout “1-2-3-4!” or heavy metal and rock bands growl whether in Norwegian or Spanish: easy gestures that signify more than their literal meaning and tie them right into a tradition that is long. People: simply because Mexicans do something does make it Mexican n’t! Context, cabrones: CONTEXT!
My novio is Mexican, created in Mexico City. I am told by him that in Mexico, women can be expected to propose wedding to males, perhaps maybe not one other means around. We don’t believe him. Is it true? —Girl Around B-Cup, Alta, Chula and Amazing!
Dear GABACHA!: Does Not he wish! In Mexico, the current way to propose wedding stays getting the moms and dads for the groom accompany their son to go to their querida’s moms and dads to enable them to pedir la mano regarding the russian bride blacklist chica—ask for the girl’s hand in wedding. It’s a tradition steeped in dealing with ladies as chattel, as property—but perhaps the many Mexis that is progressive still it, since it’s quaint and also knowledge of how marriage involves families and community, not only two people. Your man does want to go n’t through the procedure? He’s either scared, a coward, or a really Guatemalan.
GOOD MEXICAN OF THE WEEK! is obviously a Guatemalan: Ruben Vives, the l . a . Instances reporter that aided the paper win a Pulitzer Prize because of its research associated with the Southern Ca town of Bell, a city therefore corrupt you’d-a thunk Irishmen went it. Vives stumbled on this nation illegally being a seven-year-old, and would’ve been a DREAM Act pupil or even for People in america whom jumped through bureaucratic hoops to legalize their status. Exactly what a chinga that is wonderful madre during the understand Nothings around the globe whom assert illegals can’t make anything of on their own in this nation! Exactly what a toma that is glorious guey to people who say Latinos bring the corruption of the homelands to your usa and endorse it! Just what an arriba that is beautiful those of us whom know undocumented youngsters can and do make one thing of by themselves in this country—if just they will have an opportunity! Gracias, Ruben, for reminding America just just what those that come right into this national country illegally can handle. In honor of the monumental triumph, We will not pick in Guatemalans in this column, also for satirical purposes: Your individuals have finally, really managed to make it in this nation, as well as in these times of people bashing illegals, i have to direct my barbs at them and never our previous vassals. And also for the haters who’ll inevitably whine about Vives’s former illegal status? Welcome to this new normal, pendejos.
