Viral Video: Latino Comedy Project (www.lcp.org)
Stumbled upon this hilarious video “LCP’s 300″ and sketch comedy group Latino Comedy Project, which is — you guessed it — a Texas-based troupe. I love that the best way to cleverly combat stereotypes is to totally embrace them.
For the record — I’m married to a fairly acculturated Hispanic who is more “gringo-fied” than I, so their work is probably funnier to me than most. My husband is that Americanized Hispanic guy on the left. LOL We laugh that I, a white native Southeast Texan absorbed more Mexican influence than he, a military brat who moved all around the world before settling back in the U.S. in high school. He had four grandparents straight from Mexico, but I can speak more Spanish than he does (which is still not saying a lot).
For myself, I think that a lot of Hispanic Americans feel conflicted, which is a side of reasoning that they don’t show in these funny skits. But they’re conflicted only out of loyalty to their blood and family who might still be tied to south of the border even generation or two later. I think that you will find many who identify themselves as Hispanic (a race) rather than Mexican (a nationality). For one thing, very few people could actually call themselves Mexican Americans — as that term combines two different nationalities, while an individual doesn’t really live both. However, most first- or second-generation Hispanic Americans whose families were originally from Mexico live a unique experience.
If you live in Texas or any southern bordering state in the U.S. then it is so very evident that some people indeed can be called Mexican-Americans, as they straddle both countries in their lives — born on one side, work on the other, make money on one side, send it home to the other, have their children on one side, raise them on the other. And then there are those of us here who are total gringos but have been raised so close to Mexican culture that we’re almost honorary Mexicans. This is what makes a southern border state life so distinct…and culturally rich — and this comedy so funny to anyone who lives around these situations and sees the influence in everyday life.
I hope I see more work from these guys LCP. I think they’re a real hit in Texas and California. You can catch more on them straight from their website — www.lcp.org
This is HILARIOUS! I’m totally a BC but my mother was born in Tecate, so I’ve seen and experienced both sides.
It’s a strange thing to straddle cultures. From my mother, I’m Mexican and yet I was born here. My father is white and won custody of me when they divorced, so I’m just now learning Spanish just as I’m pregnant with our first child. My stepmother is Jewish and I am a practicing Jewish Christian. (That made my Roman Catholic Abuelita SOOO happy! LOL) But there it is… this “where do I belong?” and “who understands this?” feeling.
But no matter what, I’m glad my Abuelita fought so hard to stay here in California. She managed to give us a great opportunity just by living here instead of in Mexico.
Great post!
Ahaha si LOL I loved the comment! And you would know better than anyone what I’m talking about here — and can totally laugh about it! Plus, you’re MULTIcultural — Jewish, Mexican, and white. I’ll bet your calendar is filled with all kinds of celebrations.
You may as well pick up some Yiddish along with that Spanish! What a fantastic holiday season — Christmas (with all the Catholic masses) AND Hanukkah, too! Have fun with that!
Merry Christmas and Happy חנוכה!
Melanie
I’ve got a nice handful of Yiddish about… my Mom doesn’t “bitch” she “kvetches”. But then again, we broil our brisket with bbq sauce and make tacos with the leftovers. You’ll hear “meshugena” and “pobrecito” in the same sentence. My little girl is going to have a bunch of interesting tales to tell when she’s older!
Y Feliz Navidad a tu y a su familia! And a blessed Chanukuah to my Gentile friends!
And you think December is busy… wait til Passover/Pesach and the Easter thing! And then September is all the Jewish High Holy Days mixed in with the new school year. Oy vay!
Pahaha hahaaaa! I love it! Thanks for the chuckle! LOL