…Whatever that means
Photo: Laura Martinez (Harlem)
Tag: New York
Some New York City Lawyers are Genuinely Bilingual…
… unlike racist New York lawyer Aaron Schlossberg, who once claimed to be “fluent in Spanish” but then went batshit crazy and threatened to call ICE on people speaking the language at his local deli.
Shame on you, Señor Schlossberg. You should learn from the fine lawyers of Spanish Harlem, who I’m sure are much more attuned to the sensibilities of a multicultural, multiethnic city –and the need for [true] bilingual professionals.
Photo: Laura Martínez, NYC 2018
Mexican Independence: Too Many Fiestas, Too Little Time
I don’t know about you, but I do take national holidays very seriously, especially when it comes to drinking and eating like there’s no tomorrow.
So, in celebration of my relatively recent double-citizenship bonanza and the upcoming anniversary of Mexico’s Independence, this blogger will be pulling all her U.S.-based resources to list the very best stuff you can buy/do on THIS SIDE of the border so you feel as if you were on the OTHER side of the border.
Now… I’ll be posting some actual goodies later this week (I’m exhausted, you know?), but for now, I’d like to kick off this year’s festivities with the colorful invite (above) I just received from the Mexican Consulate in New York, which makes it clear our Ángel de la Independencia is as tall as the Empire State Building *and* the Freedom Tower themselves.
So there you go, suckers, ¡Viva México, cabrones!
Kate Spade Wants to Make Mariachis Great Again!
Mexican immigrants are not precisely popular these days –and I’m pretty sure we’ll all get deported real soon. But local mariachis are making their way to the world of high fashion, thanks in part to Kate Spade New York.
The brand has tapped the all-female mariachi band Flor de Toloache to tout its “timeless — and timely — collection,” which is full of “cute cultural references” and is now available on Kate Spade’s Website.*
WATCH as the all-female band gets on the [FAILING] New York City subway while model Fernanda Ly walks in sporting a “lace-trimmed flouncy dresses” and a handbag that features a tiny burrito or something weird like that.
*Alas, the fabulous black charro suits are not part of the collection’s offering.
Hat tip: @begona_lozano
Tandurero = The Mexican Guy who Runs your Tandoori Oven
Photo: Carolina González
Tamales Know no Borders
The so-called President can say whatever he wants, and build a wall as big as his ego, but my people continue to make this blogger (and many more Mexicans) very happy on this side of the border.
Photo: Laura Martínez, 2017. Harlem
BREAKING: I’m Moving to Mexico — Mexico, NY, that Is
Go figure.
After all these years living in regular New York (i.e. Manhattan, what else?) I just learned there is a town called Mexico, located in the northeast part of Oswego County, New York.
According to the always-reliable Wikipedia, the Town of Mexico has a population of 5,197 and contains a village also named Mexico. What’s more, there’s a Mexico High School (once called Mexico Academy,) a Mexico Middle School and even a Mexico Elementary School.
This fact opens up amazing opportunities for this blogger, who can no longer afford to live in regular New York and misses the thrills of living in a place called Mexicou. After all, Mexico, NY officials claim, this town is “A great place to live, work and play.”
That might be so, but before making such a radical move, this blogger will be embarking on a serious investigation of Mexico’s taco-situation, which will ultimately make or break the deal.
Stay tuned.
Just a Regular Wednesday Evening Shopping for Food in Manhattan
Photo: Laura Martínez, UWS 2015
Ayotzinapa in New York III: Dozens Became Hundreds
April 26 marked the seventh month since the disappearance of 43 students in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, Mexico. And while the Mexican government has declared the investigation as “case closed,” Mexicans around the world continue to demand one thing: Vivos se los llevaron, vivos los queremos (They were taken alive; we want them back alive.)
Mexicans and non-Mexicans in New Yorker gathered today to pay homage to the 43, and we were lucky enough to be joined by six of the many parents who were left childless from this state-sanctioned murder.
I was there Sunday as people gathered in New York City’s iconic Washington Square Park before walking all the way up to the U.N. Building. I’ve been to all the Ayotzinapa events before in the city and this was — by far — the one that attracted the most people (around 500 by police estimates.)
I took some photos and wanted to share with y’all here:
Looks Like Mexican-Spanish Cuisine is a ‘Thing’ in the U.S.
New York City
Frederick, Maryland
Call me crazy, but last time I checked, Spanish cuisine had absolutely nothing to do with the cuisine of my forefathers (i.e. the Mexicans).
I mean, we cannot even agree on what the hell a tortilla is all about, so WTH?
Anyhow, I guess I shouldn’t be that shocked, after all this time living on this side of the border, the country that has given us the Fritos Enchilada Melt and the $10 non-taco tacos, among many other horrors.
So let’s welcome yet one more nonsensical ethnic meal and, ¡coño! ¡que viva la comida Hispano-Mexicana!
Mexicans in New York are Also Tired –and Pissed– about Ayotzinapa
I wish I had something funny to say about what’s happening in Mexico these days. But I can’t. Nobody can. This has got to be the one time in which this blog has had to put on a sad face.
Mexicans today organized a non-violent, beautiful event in New York City that served not only to express rage at Mexico’s failed state, but -more importantly- to remember each and one of the 43 students murdered in Guerrero. Thanks to organizers like Emilio Montez and Lorena Patiño I was given the opportunity to spend some time getting to know Jonás Trujillo Gonzalez (aka Beni), a native of la Costa Grande del Ticuí, and one of Ayotzinapa’s 43 “missing” students.
I have no idea where Beni is right now, but I’m sure he is in a better place than he was on September 26.
Here are some photos I took today in Union Square. Feel free to steal, copy, paste, share, spread, etc.
WARNING: Photography is not really my thing, so please bear with me.
For references, read the following articles.
Drug Gang Killed Students, Mexican Law Official Says NYT
A test of Peña Nieto’s mettle. The Economist.
Le président mexicain part vers l’Asie en laissant un pays en colère. Libération
Finding a Job in Hispanic New York Is a Real Challenge
God, please grant my people the wisdom to properly navigate/figure out job postings in my beloved New York City
Photo: Laura Martínez
‘El Diario’ Launches New Design, Adds Hashtags, Because Why Not?
Apparently the big news in the world of Spanish-language media today is the redesign of New York City’s venerable daily El Diario La Prensa.
The announcement comes on the heels of major executive and editorial changes at the impreMedia-owned newspaper; changes that have been the subject of harsh criticism, including this commentary by Ángelo Falcón, who claims the 101-year-old brand is undergoing a “Reconquista” of sorts.
Regardless, El Diario‘s new design –according to its owners– “greatly enhances reader experience for its iconic brand,” and represents “a renewed commitment to better address the needs of the Latino community.”
All that sounds peachy, but judging from the video below, the new Diario will bring our community bigger pictures and tons of hashtags, because, Twitter, you know?
Note: I have not yet bought my print copy. I will do so later today and will keep you guys posted.
This Mexican Unisex Beauty Shop is Awesome
It’s Official: Juan Gabriel Brings Joy to Mexican Immigrants
Oh, and yes, he packed Madison Square Garden last night (April 6, 2014)
