Why Are There So Many Chinese Mexicans? The Forgotten History Beneath Mexicali’s Streets and Mexico’s Identity
If you’ve ever driven through Mexicali, you might’ve noticed something surprising: Chinese restaurants outnumber taco stands. The smell of soy sauce wafts through neighborhoods and people speak both Mandarin and Spanish. Fusion dishes like arroz frito norteño (fried rice with chile verde) have been a local staple for generations. So here’s the real question: why […]
5 Deep-Fried Facts About Churros (That Will Make You Question All Other Dough)
Let’s get one thing straight: churros are not food. They are deep-fried pieces of heaven, amirite? If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone anywhere. You see, according to the BBC, during the COVID-19 lockdown, churros were the most Googled recipe in the world. Yes. In the midst of a global crisis, we all looked […]
Love Her or Hate Her, Lauren Sanchez Is Mexican American … and Most People Have No Idea
After watching the very public wedding unfold (the one with the private island, helicopter arrival, and Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey on the guest list), I was blown away like everyone else. Or so I thought. When I asked my Mexican American, Gen Z neighbor what she thought about Lauren Ssnchez and the wedding spectacle […]
How Many Ways Can You Say “Kid” in Spanish? Turns Out, a Whole Bunch (And Some Are Wild)
I often hear Bad Bunny refer to the days when he was a chamaco or chamaquito. Sure, millions of us know he’s talking about his childhood, back when he was just a young boy in Puerto Rico. But that’s not the word I grew up using for “kid” in Spanish. Then one day, a reel […]
Nezza Sings the National Anthem in Spanish and Almost Gets Banned for Life
Last weekend, on June 14, Latina singer Nezza walked into Dodgers stadium as a little-known rising star. Today, she’s being called brave, bold, and a modern-day civil rights activist. Why? Because she did something that was utterly simple yet revolutionary. She sang the official United States national anthem in Spanish. And it nearly got her […]
Protests, Raids, and a Nation on Edge: What’s Happening Across U.S. Cities This Week
What happens when raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spark nationwide protests? So far, we’ve seen outrage, solidarity, and unrest. And the nation is on edge. During the past week, the country is facing a wave of demonstrations – some calm, others chaotic – from coast to coast. Those old enough […]
A Tourist Wants to Spray Puerto Rico’s Coqui Frog and the Internet Says ‘Get Off the Island’
Picture this: you’re in Puerto Rico, an island so lush and magical it’s literally nicknamed La Isla del Encanto. The palm trees sway. The mofongo is perfectly garlicky. And, as night falls, you hear it that rhythmic, hypnotic “ko-KEE, ko-KEE” sound from the island’s coqui frog. For locals, this is home. For many visitors, it’s […]
Meet the Invincible Roy Benavidez: A Hero Who Fought for His Brothers and for Us All
On this Memorial Day, we honor the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. While Master Sergeant Raul Perez “Roy” Benavidez is not among the fallen, his life was defined by their memory. Some call him the real-life Rambo. Though Roy Benavidez survived the battlefield, he endured wounds so grave that many […]
Romania, Witches & a Frog’s Behind? The Bizarre Origins of ‘Sana Sana, Colita de Rana’ Explained
Just yesterday, I overheard my daughter comforting her friend by gently rubbing her head and saying, “Sana Sana, culito de rana.” My daughter was serious. Her friend was confused. You see, Dahlia had told Cristina, my daughter, that she had a headache. Naturally, Cristina wanted to help her feel better. So, like any self-respecting Latina, […]
Potatoes Aren’t Irish! They’re 100% Peruvian, and We’ve Got the Receipts!
Ask someone where the potato comes from, and, odds are, they’ll say Ireland. Blame the Great Famine of the 1800s, or the country’s famous shepherd’s-pie comfort dish. But the true origin of the world’s most versatile vegetable lies not in the emerald hills of Europe, but high in the Andean mountains of South America, specifically, […]
Wait, Cameron Diaz Is Cuban?! And Her Family Helped Build Tampa’s Ybor City With Cigars?
When you think of Cuban-American culture, your brain probably jumps to Miami and its internationally-known beaches and always-booming salsa music. But way before the Castro Revolution made Miami the unofficial Cuban capital in the United States, there was another Florida city full of the island’s flavors. That place? Tampa. Specifically, a neighborhood called Ybor City, […]
Who Put the ‘Miranda’ in Miranda Rights?
If you’re a fan of crime shows or movies, you definitely know Miranda Rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be used against you in court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you.” But, have […]