Who needs Earth, Wind and Fire? We've got Jaguar, Feathered Serpent, Hurricane... and Fire Water!

Wanted to call attention to one of Absolut's latest artistic bottle designs: Absolut Mexico! This limited edition was designed last Fall in collaboration with Mexico City-born, contemporary artist and tattooist, Dr. Lakra aka  Jerónimo López Ramírez. Inspired by key symbols of Mayan culture: Balam, the Jaguar; Kukulkan, the feathered serpent; and Hurakan, god of wind, storm and fire. 

While  paying tribute to his culture, Dr. Lakra lends a hand to US-born Hispanics in retro-acculturation mode while also feeding the mainstream's hunger for Latino culture and tradition. Perhaps as interesting as the artwork is how it all came about. One again, I am constantly amazed at the creative process. Ay te va. Checkalo!

Mars or Planet Tejano?

Go Tejano Day beats Bruno Mars Day? No que no!

On Thursday, March 7th, Bruno Mars set a record attendance of 75,175 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Everyone that was there said the concert was awesome! Mars brought an atypical performance to Houston Rodeo fans with his blend of Motown, pop, gospel, rock and reggae. Houston is home to the 4th largest Latino population, definitely a major home(y) base for the PochoNation. We love diversity and Mars brings it.
Interestingly, just three days later, Bruno's record was beat. On Sunday, March 10th, the "Go Tejano Day", la raza represented with an estimated paid audience of 75,305. Many showed up for the results of the weekend-long mariachi competition, in which McAllen's Mariachi Aztlan took first place. (Go Valley!) But many others had never even heard the music of the headline performers in the line up: Julión Álvarez or Los Invasores de Nuevo León. But, I'm sure that didn't matter as much as the rhythms and movement, the costumes and pageantry, not to mention the tubas and accordions. More than anything else, the PochoNation celebrates culture. Our culture, in all its diversity, as well as the cultures of others. Whether its Pitbull (3/14), or Martina McBride and George Strait (together on 3/17), we'll be there because all that music is a part of us, and we're a part of them!

Pocho Defined: If You Count Urban Dictionary

When I first started writing, albeit sporadically, about being Pocho and Proud, along with the Rise of the PochoNation, I felt I was alone in my zeal to claim the negative title and turn it into something positive. Some laughed. Others sneered. Most just said, "Huh?". Very few actually identified with the term Pocho. However, more and more, I'm seeing Pocho blogs, comments, references, and yes - t-shirts! Furthermore, while it may not be Webster, there's actually a definition (several) of Pocho in Wiki and Urban Dictionary. The term has been around for a long time, but what's actually new is that people are embracing this notion. (Sorry Grandpa.) Much of what I'm reading is humorous, in the self-deprecating style that is way too common to our culture. Still, as the PochoNation is growing, so are Pocho claimants. Orale!

Just When You Think You're Out...

It's been awhile since I've written publicly about Rise of the PochoNation. Really about anything. New job. New responsibilities. Life changes. Unfortunately, the excuses don't. It's not about having the time, it's about making the time. But... that's all I have to say about that! To faithful readers (thanks Ma), PochoYProud's back. Funny thing: the issues that began my writing in the first place never left, never slowed down and amazingly (NOT), continue to grow. As a nation, we still struggle with how do deal with "Hispanic" issues. On many fronts.
Whether you're President Obama carefully wording immigration reform rhetoric, or Marco Rubio delivering the Republican response, "thirsty" for his own chance at delivering a presidential address. Or whether you're corporate America, trying to understand and capture (not always in that order) the growth potential that Hispanic consumers possess.
Whether you're a company like Walmart,  integrating a Total Market approach with Hispanic at the forefront (a strategy growing in popularity); or, if you're one of a number of market leaders such as McDonald's, Sears, Allstate who are putting their money where their mouths are (where their mouth is?) and seeing gains of their own.
Or, even if you're "just" an Hispanic mom trying to make ends meet, give your kids, "the advantages" you never had (like ipads, 24/7 access to Spotify w/out ads and their own chance for 15 mins. of Honey Boo Boo-like fame)... the "Hispanic issues" (and opportunities), are still out there. And, the PochoNation continues rising! Our up and coming, ever-increasing bilingual/bicultural Latino/as who live in multiple worlds and (whether they speak good Spanish, bad Spanish or none at all) keep their culture alive and strong deep in their hearts keep gaining ground as a segment to be recognized.
So, I'll keep writing, or at least start back up again. (OK MA?) PS. Thanks for the iPad!