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Growing Up Mexican in America: What TV Taught Me

Family Ties | White American Family

Growing up Mexican in America can be confusing. Even if the U.S. Census tells you you’re “white,” you don’t really see your kind of “white” on television or film.

I used to be ashamed of living in South El Monte, California, a predominantly working class, Mexican American suburb of Los Angeles. As a child, I felt that my classmates and neighbors weren’t cultured or educated enough. The city itself was an eyesore, with block after block of light industrial manufacturing, a gritty crossroads of the 10, 60, and 605 freeways. The Catholic school I attended from first through eighth grade didn’t have a music or art program, and our textbooks were outdated and falling apart.

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Dreams About Airplanes and Elevators

Originally published in my secret, anonymous blog on August 21, 2014.

I dream vividly almost every night. Sometimes I’m the main character in the dream, watching the events unfold around me, but sometimes it’s as if I’m watching a movie with a twisted plot. I try to write my dreams down when I can remember them. Often, I have dreams about airplanes, and every now and then, about out of control elevators.

I was on a plane that was getting ready to take off. Except I was the only one on the plane, aside from the captain, who was about my age and handsome. I had never seen him before, but he seemed familiar at the same time. The inside of the plane was in disarray. Some of the seats appeared to be missing, and there was litter strewn all over the floor.

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The Face Mask

UMG-film-shorts-face-mask

Although I’m not much of a girly-girl (I rarely wear make-up, and I hate having to spend more than five minutes on my hair), I do enjoy an occasional mud mask session. It just feels so good slapping that cold paste on your face and feeling the texture harden, knowing it’s sucking all the evil energy out of your pores.

Well, did you ever wonder what happens to that evil energy?

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Laundry Day Blues

Ever since I was a small child, I was timid and shy. I’d be the kid afraid of loud noises and strange people. After a tap dancing class in the first grade, I dropped out because the music from the large speakers overwhelmed me. I was also a contemplative child, often absorbed in books or my own thoughts. As I grew older, adults would constantly tell me I needed to smile more because I often had a stoic look on my face. People came to know me as a serious, reserved person. But really, deep inside of me, there is a silly and loud and bold person just waiting to make people laugh.

Enjoy Laundry Day Blues, the first creation in my silent films series:

p.s. loud noises, strange people, and tap dancing no longer scare me.

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Menudo in South Austin, Texas: El Tacorrido

2316 South 1st St.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1939
El Tacorrido Sur | South Austin

The Highlights

  • Menudo in Austin: El Tacorrido South AustinMeat: smooth and honeycomb, a bit on rubbery side
  • Hominy: yes, but hardly enough
  • Broth: greasy
  • Toppings: cilantro (too any stems), limes, and onion (you may be able to request jalapeño)
  • Tortillas: mediocre
  • Availability: weekends only
  • Price:  $4.50 for a small bowl / $6.50 for a large bowl

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