It’s the Census 2020 – and I Still Don’t Know What Race I Am 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

My U.S. Census 2020 questionnaire is here and while I’m all game and ready to fill out and submit this thing, I will forever be puzzled by the “race” question.

See, when you reach the the “race question” while filling out the 2020 U.S. Census, you’ll get options within five racial categories (see photo below:)

  • White
  • Black or African-American
  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Asian
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

This, of course, leaves this café con leche, whitish Mexican blogger born in Mexico practically in limbo, since I’m supposed to select “white” or “some other race” to comply and be able to go to the next window. (And I’m not alone: Remember this Puerto Rican dude during the 2010 Census who was pissed (with reason) and refused to fill out his Census form, because “Hispanic” was not an option under the Race box?)

Also missing in this section are people from the Middle East and North Africa, which I suppose are supposed to do the same: Select “white” or “some other race,” which I think will make it harder to locate where there is need for local bilingual services in schools or during elections, to name a few things.

I’m personally offended because “Human” is not an option under race, so I decided to use the “Some other race –print race” space to spell out N.P.I. (Ni Pinche Idea.)

Hispanics and people from the Middle East or North Africa, back in limbo…

This Fine Restaurant in Arizona Might Want to Consider a Name Change

Good luck marketing this thing to Spanish speakers…

Shopping for a wedding venue in Arizona?

Well, there’s this fine place at the base of Camelback Mountain offering “breathtaking views, impeccable service and an unforgettable experience,” –and judging from the pictures found on their Website, it looks like it delivers on its promise.

However, you might want to consider not inviting any Spanish-speaking friends (especially Mexicans) to your event, unless you want them to spend their time cracking up jokes behind your back or simply avoiding the food in fear of catching this dreadful malady.

The Coronavirus Cumbia is Here –and it’s Infectious as Hell 💃🏽

Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) wants you to dance to the tune of SARS-CoV-2.

A cluster of respiratory illness, originating in the Chinese province of Hubei in December of 2019, has health officials on high alert around the world. The cause is now known to be a new coronavirus that has proven to be particularly infectious and has already claimed about 3,000 lives in a few months.

While Latin America had been free of the virus for some time, the first Mexican case was confirmed on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 coincidentally as this blogger arrived in CDMX for a quick family trip.

Mexicans in Mexico responded swiftly to the threat by –what else?– posting tons of memes while on this side of the border, Mr. Iván Montemayor (aka Míster Cumbia) composed an infectiously melodious cumbia, which is not only perfect for dancing but it’s also … educational. “Wash your hands; take care; prevention is key, etc.”

🎶 Coronavirus, coronavirus, lávense las manos, hágalo seguido… coronavirus, coronavirus, pónganse las pilas en lugares concurridos. 🎶

Here it is. Get up and dance, pues!

 

Bagel Shop Launches ‘Bagelrito,’ Because Nothing Makes Sense Anymore

Starting Thursday, Feb. 27 and until the deadly coronavirus takes us all (hopefully soon) Einstein Bros. Bagels will start selling the Bagelrito, a “big, bold, and easy to hold” bagel/burrito mash-up that looks as disgusting as it sounds.

The company claims this thing was a smashing success in Denver, CO test markets –for some reason, but this blogger is looking forward to never having to see this thing ever again. Ever.

Netflix Preps Series about Rich, Scandinavian-Looking Mexican Moms

And just when you thought you had seen enough Scandinavian-looking people on Mexican television, Netflix has announced a long list of upcoming films and TV series that will be proudly made in Mexico.

Among the new series there’s Madre solo hay dos, a 10-episode series, that tells the story of “two very different women who come to face with each other uppon finding out their babies were accidentally exchanged at birth.” And –as one would imagine– the protagonists (Ludwika Paleta and Paulina Goto) have to be very blond and fair-skinned because that’s the only way a mostly indigenous, “brown country” would mess up such a situation, right?

Via: CNET en Español

Elizabeth Warren Goes to El Gordo, Orders Tacos ‘Sin Cebolla.’ All Hell Breaks Loose

Elizabeth Warren orders a beef taco… without onion, Her campaign might never recover from this.

It is not a secret that, while campaigning and seeking the Latino vote in Las Vegas, you gotta pay a visit to the folks of Tacos El Gordo. And on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 it was the turn of Senator Elizabeth Warren, to hang out with taqueros and taqueras at the famous Mexican eatery; snap tons of selfies and –of course– try their delicious creations.

So far so good, right? Well, not really. All hell broke loose after this blogger found out La Guarren ordered her beef tacos sin cebolla (!!!) prompting a potentially damaging schism among her many followers who quickly took to social media to express their affiliation to either #TeamWarrenConCebolla or #TeamWarrenSinCebolla.

A very scientific poll posted Friday night by this blogger concluded that ordering tacos without onion could eventually hurt Warren’s chances to secure the Latino vote, at least among those who want to live life to its full potential.

The verdict is here

While I tend to order my tacos con todo (except pineapple when it comes to al pastor) I’m gonna stick to La Guarren because she’s still the hero we all need today. Onion or not, she’s some bad as, as proven in the following exchange with Mini Mike on Feb. 19.

 

Amy Klobuchar Says her Spanish Name Used to be Elena; Hilarity Ensues

During a meeting with a mostly Hispanic crowd, Amy Klobuchar reminded us her Spanish name used to be Elena –for some reason.

During a meeting Tuesday night with Culinary Union members in Las Vegas, Sen. Amy Klobuchar tried to relate to a mostly Hispanic crowd by talking about her fourth-grade Spanish and other Spanish-related anecdotes. According to various reports, Klobuchar kicked off her presentation by saying: “My name is Amy, but when I was in fourth grade Spanish they gave me the name Elena.”

I decided to tweet out a video of the exchage using the hashtag #MyKlobucharEthnicName and what followed was a hilarious thread of people sharing their “ethnic name.” Purely for this blogger’s entertainment (I hope).

WATCH the original video (below) and then scroll down for some hilarious responses:

Hispanics at Starbucks

Shut up, Alicia!

Chomp, chomp!

Lalo is Klobuspeak for AMLO

EMLO, anyone?

JUST FOLLOW #MyKlobucharEthnicName for more entertainment…

[Spoiler Alert] American Latinos United’s First Commercial Is Sad, Depressing AF

“They’re learning lessons; give them a better teacher.”

American Latinos United (ALU), a SuperPAC created with the sole purpose of defeating president Trump by activating Latino voters in key battleground states, has launched its first TV commercial, a sad reminder of the lessons being taught these days to our children –Latino or otherwise.

A joint effort by former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and entrepreneur Fernando Espuelas, ALU’s sole strategic goal is “to decrease President Trump’s share of the Hispanic electorate by a small percentage change that would thereby deny him an Electoral College win and re-election to a second term.”

While the elections are still a few months away, ALU’s commercial is a sad (and timely) reminder that what we have right now in the White House can’t be good for children and adults alike, regardless our ethnic background.

OK just WATCH

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tours a Bodega, Eats Burritos and Drinks Jarritos de Piñac

AOC joins Desus & Mero on Bronx tour.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a way to respond to haters.

As part of the premiere episode of Showtime’s Desus & Mero, the New York City native decided to show her critics that she’s not only a kick-ass politician but knows her way around a bodega and a taquería. Oh, and she will also mix you a margarita. And just so we have it clear: These people in Washington D.C. are “not smarter than a bartender.”

Watch Ocasio-Cortez as she joins her fellow Bronx natives, show hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, on a tour of their home borough that includes bodegas, happy faces, burritos, margaritas, Bohemia beer and even Jarritos de piña.

 

Mexican Entrepreneurship Knows no Borders Part XVI

The deadly Coronavirus might continue to claim victims around the world, but that has not stopped creative Mexicans for crafting their own t-shirts with the legend Ya me dio el (I have contracted the) Corona Virus, a different kind of disease that comes from… drinking too much Corona beer.

And this, of course, is only possible in my beloved Mexico, the land that brought us El Chapo’s special gourmet coffee, and original escape T-shirt, and many, many other things that show my people’s strong entrepreneurial skills.

Mexicans: How can anyone not like us?

Photo via: Reddit

This is the Only Dip you Need for your Super Bowl Party

Guacamole, which according to “avocado experts” at Wholly Guacamole was “invented by the Aztecs for its nutritional benefits for the wealthy,” can now be used to prepare a deliciously patriotic Mexican flag tricolor dip, a culinary work of art you will never encounter in Mexico (mainly because it looks like a hell of a lot of work for a real Mexican.)

But I digress. The point is: The Super Bowl LVI is tonight and any excuse to fool around with Mexican food –and the Mexican flag– is a good one. Besides… it features an eagle… and eagle, babies!

Wink, Wink…

I May Have Found a Reason to Watch this Year’s Super Bowl …

Several reasons, actually: Los Tigres del Norte do the Super Bowl LIV.

I’ve never been a fan of so-called American football –and you wouldn’t catch me dead watching hours upon hours of a Super Bowl. But all this will very likely change on Sunday, February 2, 2020 when my favorite band EVER is set to star in the opening video for Fox Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl LIV.

Per a company press release:

Los Tigres del Norte and FOX Deportes joined forces for the first time to create a video, filmed in San Jose, celebrating the legacy of Los Tigres del Norte, the 100 seasons of the NFL, and the passion felt by Hispanics for football.

Okay, I might just watch my tigres doing their thing and then move onto more interesting things (happy hour at my local pub probably), but still… ¡Ajúa!

Via: Fox Sports

Taco Mahal Is Coming to New York City, and I’m not Ready for Gandhi-Zapata

Gandhi Zapata wants you to have a Roti Taco, because –really?!

Sources closer to Hell’s Kitchen than me (at least right now) tell me there’s a new, hipster-conceived Mexican-Indian restaurant coming my way.

Called –what else?– Taco Mahal, this fusion eatery promises a “new concept in the realm of delicious tacos” where “the best spices of India collide with the best flavors of Latino America [SIC.]”

I have no idea what any of the above means, but Taco Mahal has been plastering the city with artful collages of Frida-meets-Rigveda / Parvati-Meets-Kahlo. Also, according to a menu posted online, you’ll be able to order stuff such as Roti Tacos or Naan Tacos, which sound just as weird as the below deities blended together.

It’s Indian, you know? but with a taco twist.

Thank God there’s also beer & wine available to wash this thing down; otherwise…

Hat tip: @lechancle