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BY
GUSTAVO ARELLANO
THREE-QUESTION SPECIAL
Dear Mexican: At a weekly Doors tribute band
gig, I've noticed the majority of the crowd is Mexican. I swear,
sometimes it seems like the crowd missed the exit to the Lupillo
Rivera show or a Maná concert. Never realized Jim Morrison
was the equal of Morrissey and Charles Bronson among other Mexican
güero icons. — Güero Riding on the Storm
Dear Gabacho: Let your letter be the last time any
gabacho expresses amazement that Mexicans can enjoy music that doesn't
feature a tuba, accordion or funny hats. Yes, America: many Mexicans
love the Doors, and other rock groups that enjoy substantial Mexican
followings include Morrissey, the Cure, Depeche Mode, Elvis, Led
Zeppelin, Metallica, Beck, the Beatles … see where this list
is going? Nowhere, man. Good music, like a good Mexican, doesn't
recognize borders. A more inexplicable musical mystery is why gabachos
usually recoil at the sound of Mexican tunes — and I'm not
even talking about the bandas sinaloenses, conjuntos norteños
and mariachis that'll remind them too much of Lawrence Welk. Seriously,
gabachos: where is the love? We sell out arenas in Mexico for many
American acts — why can't ustedes bother to iTune some Café
Tacuba or El Gran Silencio? The Mexican theorizes laziness is behind
this soft bigotry, but I'm more than open to other theories. By
the way, Güero: if you want a more serious analysis of why
Mexicans love Morrissey, you'll have to buy my book. Don't have
it yet, everyone else? Buy it already, cabrones! Its Amazon.com
ranking is sinking faster than the prospect of amnesty this year!
While I listened to a politician commiserate
with a reporter about the impending crisis in daycare, house-care,
and lawn-care, I became very concerned. How could I support future
victims of the upcoming devastation? I had heard about the problem
before, but my personal experience in this area is limited. Everyone
I know uses family, friends or licensed daycare facilities. My elderly
neighbor pays a neighborhood kid to mow her lawn. My mom used to
clean houses, but since she is not legally challenged, it doesn't
count. But when I looked into the eyes of the forlorn politician
and saw the strain lines on the reporter's face, I understood. Who
will run the country if the politicians call in sick due to lack
of child-care? Who will tell me the latest about Britney if all
of the reporters collapse in exhaustion from the strain of caring
for their own homes and lawns after work? The devastation will be
incalculable when the xenophobes cruelly tear away the legally challenged
domestic servants from the politicians and reporters who employee
them. I am even more determined to help than ever. My Senator responded
to my pleas by form letter. I think he is too overwhelmed with his
impending domestic help crisis to offer any real solutions. YOU
are my last hope. As a representative for your kind, please let
me know how the community can begin to prepare this crisis? As a
member of the media, what will you need from the community to help
you survive should your nanny, housekeeper and gardener be deported?
— A Very Concerned Gringa in Oregon
Dear Gabacha: Better reader sarcasm.
After watching the Dallas Cowboys lose to the
New York Giants, is wetback quarterback Tony Romo's off-week, south-of-the-border
fiesta to blame for him being downed more times than a bottle of
tequila? Or are gabachos just mad he's dating an All-American Daisy
Duke gabacha like Jessica Simpson? Michael Irvin's cocaine stripper
parties never stopped "America's Team" from Super Bowl stardom.
— Raiders Nation
Dear Wab: Excuse me as I write this to Tony:
Dear Antonio Ramiro Romo: Pinche puto pendejo baboso.
You perpetuated some of the worst Mexican male stereotypes with
your Cabo San Lucas sojourn — siesta taker, gabacha fetishist,
capable of vacationing only in Mexico — yet could've shut
up the haters with one simple fourth-quarter comeback against the
lowly Giants. Instead, interception. Thanks for pulling the biggest
Mexican choking act since Over Her Dead Body.
Got
a spicy question about Mexicans? Ask the Mexican at themexican@askamexican.net.
Letters will be edited for clarity, cabrones. And include a hilarious
pseudonym, por favor, or we'll make one up for you!
Gustavo
Arellano is an investigative reporter on staff at the OC Weekly
in Orange County, California. His "¡Ask a Mexican!" column
began in 2004 and today is syndicated in 32 publications nationwide.
He is also the author of a book by the same name. An extensive interview
with Arellano can be found in the EW archives online for Nov. 29,
2007. Arellano can be contacted at TheMexican@AskAMexican.net
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