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…

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!

 

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

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

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

Wanna Grow Old? Go Buy Chicken at this Mexican Chicken Shop

Wanna grow old?

Today in the always popular section of Mexicans: How can Anyone not Like us I give you this chicken shop somewhere in Mexico whose slogan is just perfect –and quite impossible to translate without losing all its beauty. But basically, if you want to grow old (viejito,) you might want to go pay $65 pesos (about $3.5 USD) for a pollito (little chicken).

Photo via: Reddit

Pablo Escobar’s Brother Launches Foldable Phone; its Marketing Is Something Else

The Escobar Fold: Ideal for your selfies while wearing underwear and showing off your fake boobs…

Roberto De Jesús Escobar Gaviria, the brother of late Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, has joined the foldable phone fever with the Escobar Fold 1, a $350 device that comes unlocked and claims to be compatible with “all networks” worldwide.

I don’t know about you, but I’m too distracted by these models to pay attention on the thing’s specs, price, durability, gigabytes, chipset, etc. etc. But the ads are mesmerizing. Here are just a couple…

I think there’s a phone here, but I’m not sure…

Via: CNET