Ask a Mexican
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DEAR MEXICAN: WHAT IS ASK A MEXICAN ? Questions and answers about our spiciest Americans. I explore the clich s of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power. WHY SHOULD I READ ASK A MEXICAN ? At 37 million strong (or 13 percent of the U.S. population), Latinos have become America's largest minority -- and beaners make up some two-thirds of that number. I confront the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to me by readers of my Ask a Mexican column in California's OC Weekly. I challenge you to find a more entertaining way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo. OKAY, WHY DO MEXICANS PARK THEIR CARS ON THE FRONT LAWN? Where do you want us to park them? The garage we rent out to a family of five? The backyard where we put up our recently immigrated cousins in tool-shack-cum-homes? The street with the red curbs recently approved by city planners? The driveway covered with construction materials for the latest expansion of la casa? The nearby school parking lot frequented by cholos on the prowl for a new radio? The lawn is the only spot Mexicans can park their cars without fear of break-ins, drunken crashes, or an unfortunate keying. Besides, what do you think protects us from drive-bys? The cops?
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I listened to this as an audiobook. I would say it was half worthwhile and half terrible politically incorrect, shock humor. It's the kinda humor where you're offensive “as a joke” but really you're just perpetuating hate. For example, I didn't enjoy his homophobic jokes and macho “real man” rhetoric. Also talked about being a republican as if it was a good thing a lot.
A lot of the jokes reminded me of George Lopez. The kind of “this is racist but I am that race so I get a free pass” humor. Racist jokes don't magically become ok when you are that race in my opinion. Sure you can joke around with friends and family but when you make a persona out of it, you're giving other people permission to do the same.
Despite all the bad, there were some legitimately interesting tidbits in here. I'm from MA and hardly ever see Mexicans so my lack of knowledge kept me intrigued. I certainly learned a lot of Mexican-Spanish curse words!
