Your one-stop shop for all things Latin/Hispanic/Mexican
Spanish food conglomerate Frit Ravich might want to learn how to use mexicanismos when marketing their “Mexican-flavored” snacks.
According to the packaging of these Mexican-flavored sunflower seeds, the taste of these babies will leave you shaking your maracas and playing your guitar while feeling … well, a bit stupid. You know? Because Mexicans!
Hat tip: Ñam Ñam Barcelona
Remember that nonsensical trend of putting “eñes” where they don’t belong just to make something look –and sound– more authentically “Latino?”
Well, it looks like salsa makers and Hispanic journalists organizations are not alone in this thing. The latest to jump on the nonsensical “eñe wagon” (or should I say “wagoñ?”) is The Hispanic Star, a non-for-profit organization that seeks to “raise awareness of the contributions of the Hispanic community to the United States.”
According to its latest mailer, the Hispanic Star wants us to SAVE THE DATE and celebrate the 2020 Hipanic Heritage… Mñnth [SIC] which I believe it’s nonsense English for the word “month”.
I get it. As we approach the dreaded Hispanic Heritage Month, corporations, politicians and NGOs want to sound all cute and Latin in order to properly pander to my people, but how about learning first to put the “eñe” where it DOES belong? Like in “jalapeño?” for example?
Oh, and don’t get me started on #ItsPoblanoNotPoblaño
A Spanish-language pro-Trump TV ad running airing in Florida, has been highly criticized by democrats for its intent on “dividing Black and Latino communities over Joe Biden’s possible pick of a Black running mate.” What many have yet to see is that the Spanish copy in this thing is… a train wreck, with prepositions missing and made up words (Unidoes, Populacion, etc.)
In a new Spanish-language ad from the Committee to Defend the President, airing in FL, attacks JoeBiden for not considering a Latino VP, while inaccurately, per subtitle, saying he promised an African-American VP. pic.twitter.com/dZwGWvBuvV
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) July 31, 2020
I get it. I’m pretty sure the people behind the spot, namely the Committee to Defend the President, had a hard time finding an actual Spanish speaker to proofread their disastrous copy, but had they turned to Google Translate, I’m sure it would have done a much better job.
In the latest sign that fighting racism in America is not really going to the heart of the problem, Trader Joe’s this week said it will be removing names such as Trader José’s, Arabian Joe’s and Trader Ming’s that critics say are racist and “perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”
The scrutiny comes after a group of young people created a Change.org petition demanding the company to “remove racist branding and packaging from its stores.” At press time, said petition had a little over 3,400 signatures, which is really not that much, considering we’re like 50 million Hispanics around. Said critics insists that Trader Joe’s labeling “belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”
But based on the reactions of many Latinos on Twitter and other platforms, it seems that the so-called stereotype bothers more people who are actually not Latinos lol. Or, in other words, as my pal @DealinRugs said: “There’s bigger fish to fry.”
Am I the only one who doesn’t care about Trader Joe’s having “Trader Jose’s” on every Latino food product? There’s bigger fish to fry. https://t.co/R82YgNFuCO
— Mexican Rug Dealer (@DealinRugs) July 20, 2020
I don’t know man, I’m way more offended by many of your large corporations’ take on Mexican food, even if they’re not called Juan or José… (Yes, I’m looking at you, Pinche Quesarito).
Via: NPR
What better way to celebrate Frida Kahlo’s upcoming birthday than… by making a book to find her as we go about finding Waldo?
Publisher Laurence King is busy promoting Find Frida, a new book by Catherine Ingram (illustrated by Laura Callaghan) which promises to immerse the reader in the colourful world of Frida Kahlo using “twelve intricately drawn scenes, each detailing a key aspect of her life – from her eccentric teenaged years and infatuation with Diego Rivera, to her dynamic arrival as an international artist, her incredible studio and house in Mexico and her deep love of Mexican culture.” All of this for only $17.99 a copy.
I’m not sure she would be thrilled about the idea, but then again, who cares? Communist-loving Frida has proven to be a money-making machine for many non-communist companies that this might also be a hit.
On your mark… Get Set… Find Frida!
Images by: Laura Callaghan
Still stuck at home with plenty of time to try novelty beverages? How about playing Lotería while you sip some local wine?
Using the tagline “This is not your abuela’s wine,” a California winery is peddling what seems to be a Lotería-themed set of wines, including a Luchador Cabernet Sauvignon and a La Diablita Red Blend. Most products use a catchy phrase, reminding us that –despite the pandemic– there are things that will never be cancelled, like playing with fire or… wearing a luchador mask.
I have no idea what they taste like and it seems to me it will not be easy to give them a try, as they’re apparently only available in Northern California. But I must say that when it comes to “Latin-themed wine,” I’m pretty skeptical… But who knows, perhaps any of you out there have tried it and care to comment?
Speaking of my homecountry –and awesome translations– I give you this CDMX pesero, whose owner has earned a spot on this blog for being exactly what he claims to be: The More Dick –presumably “El más verga.” Go ahead and find me a better translation. I’ll wait.
Image via Reddit
Did you buy all the Inglés sin Barreras audiobooks or downloaded apps like Duolingo but nothing helps to improve your English skills?
Worry not! In this practical manual for the good use of the English language, the Lord himself comes to the rescue… and he even gives you some tips on how to pass the U.S. citizenship test. And it’s only $8.99!
Via: Amazon
The above candle is being sold as a “mystic product” and it promises to protect us from the evils of coronavirus. In fact, according to the owner of this establishment in Tabasco, all you have to do is light it up and move it around your body while you say the special prayer printed on the glass.
I’m going to be honest here: I’m not sure it works, but it’s only $40 pesos (which is like less than $2 USD at today’s exchange) so why not give it a try? Now if I only can get to Tabasco….
Via: xevt.com
Picture this. A two-piece comfy sofa; a soothing image of a lake and a small, deserted beach on the background; a pitcher of delicious ice-tea and then your lovely mom … sucking someone –or being sucked by someone– for some reason.
That is pretty much the takeaway for so many Spanish-speakers out there who could not help but notice the gaffe in Kmart’s latest Mother’s Day campaign. The problem here lies in the choice of the word Mamaste, which –apparently– is supposed to be a play on words between Mom & Namasté, inviting mothers to Find their happy place and relax on Mothers Day. But while Namasté might be a term well-known among the yoga community, Kmart would be well advised to consider what “Mamaste” actually means in Spanish.
OK, I get it. They don’t want to spend money on hiring pesky bilingual copywriters, but they could have just turned to Google Translate instead. I mean. It’s FREE! it’s easy; it’s right… there. How lazy are they?
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. As my friend J.C. Maya discovered, there’s even a book (on sale in Target) with the same title: Mamaste: Discover a More Authentic, Balance, and Joyful Motherhood from Within,
Now if y’all excuse me: HA HA HA HA HA HA (or as we say in good Spanish: JA JA JA JA)
Oh and did I mention these t-shirts?
welp pic.twitter.com/h0kVeroOWR
— Laura Martínez® (@miblogestublog) May 6, 2020
I don’t know what to think, really, but why not?
Snoop Dogg and Banda Ms on Friday released Qué Maldición, a long awaited collaboration between America’s famed pothead and the Sinaloa insanely popular band. It’s by far the weirdest Anglo-Latin collaboration I’ve seen in a long time and I’m not sure I’m 100 percent sold.
Watch & listen at your own peril. I’ll be somewhere still trying to figure out 2020.
Hat tip: The great Mafer
Ever wondered what The Star-Spangled Banner sounds like in Spanish? Well, look no further than El Pendón Estrellado, the “only official Spanish-language translation” of the national anthem allowed to be sung, according to The Smithsonian.
The translation into Spanish of the National Anthem was done by Clotilde Arias, a Peruvian immigrant, during the Roosevelt administration, but is now being repurpused as part of a new campaign to honor Hispanic workers fighting COVID-19 across the United States.
The version you’re about to see is performed by Jeidimar Rijos, the 2019 winner of La Voz competition, and was commissioned by We Are All Human Foundation’s Hispanic Star, a non-for-profit organization that seeks to “raise awareness of the contributions of the Hispanic community to the United States.”
The campaign comes at a time when Hispanics –and other minorities– are being hit particularly hard by the epidemic. Only in New York City, for example, data shows that 34% of fatalities as of April 8 were within the Hispanic community, despite their making up only 29% of the city’s population. Nationwide, says Time magazine, Hispanic and Latinx Americans are also the largest uninsured group.
Via: Time.com
Well, that didn’t take long.
Barely a couple of days after this VERY INFLUENTIAL BLOG first reported on the Iztapalapa conchavirus, a small bakery in Chicago is now making their own version.
“We wanted to turn a negative into a positive one by creating my very own conchavirus,” Eddie Vázquez, executive pastry chef and owner at Rosy’s Bakery, told ABC News Chicago.
Fortunately for Mr. Vázquez, Chicagoans are so excited about they’re placing their orders by the dozen, and I still don’t know how they get the courage to go out, but that’s another story…
It’s not a secret that 2020 sucks, but –heck– it has been a good year for conchas.
The Mexican police force in Quintana Roo (yes, that’s the state where Cancún is located) has come with an awesome PSA to let the community know that the deadly coronavirus is not going to get them.
Watch as police men and women dance to the tune of the Mariachi loco song and simple but catchy lyrics that go sort of like this:
The coronavirus wants to arrive…
The coronavirus wants to arrive….
But it will have to face the cops
I’d like to inform everyone,
That Quintana Roo will not be infected and we’ll do awawy with this virus
OK that sounds boring if you read it, but the actual video is deliciously fun!
Take it away, mariachi loco!
Al ritmo del Mariachi Loco, la Policía de Quintana Roo emite medidas de prevención contra el coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/05F8tGPLwI
— REFORMA Nacional (@reformanacional) March 25, 2020
Speaking of Mexico and the seriousness of COVID-19, a bakery in Iztapalapa, Mexico has come up with a coronavirus-like sweet bread, which they’re calling –what else?– the conchavirus. According to a very reliable source (i.e. a commenter on my Instagram feed) the genius behind this thing is Panificadora Juanito, a 30-year-old establishment which prides itself of using all natural ingredients.
Oh, did I mention the conchavirus is only $6.50 pesos? That’s… practically USD 25 cents.
Filing under “Mexicans: How can anyone not like us?”
Hat tip: @DatBoopGirl
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