As long as DNA continues to evade its "Taco Walk" ramifications of stereotyping and cultural appropriation, we'll keep bringing it up.

For those who have commented that stereotyping and cultural appropriation are perfectly acceptable examples of harmless human frivolity ...

In 2018, DNA's artlessly purloined Taco Tone Deaf Cultural Appropriation Walk moves forward to May 19, with the Frito Bandito returning as Grand Marshal.

... it may prove helpful to peruse this repeat of a post from August 19, 2017.

Which is to say, what you do on your own time is your burden, but shouldn't we expect a higher standard from organizations tied to municipal government?

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Who'd have guessed? William Anthony Nericcio's "aggressive, relentless, and, at times, pathological interrogation of Mexican, Latina/o, Chicana/o, "Hispanic," Mexican-American, and Latin American stereotypes."

Apropos to nothing in particular, were you aware of this blog?

The new and improved Tex[t]-Mex Galleryblog™ devotes itself to the aggressive, relentless, and, at times, pathological interrogation of Mexican, Latina/o, Chicana/o, "Hispanic," Mexican-American, and Latin American stereotypes. It is both the online supplement to and the bastard sister of a 2007 University of Texas Press book. The book, marketed for the general public (not just academic cultural studies wonks) and a perfect (if a tad garish) stocking stuffer, is also available from Powells, Amazon.com, and LA's rad Skylight Books.

The educational opportunities are virtually limitless, but here's a particularly instructive blog entry: Hipster Ode: Sombreros, Zarapes, and the Witchy Magic of Tequila.

Well there! Thanks to our friend Miguel-Angel Soria for the saucy linkazo to Etsy, the hipster DIY mercado. This stationer was so inspired by the dreamy voice of Joe Nichols' song: Tequila Makes her Clothes Fall Off, she designed a bachelorette party invitation as a loose-fitting ode to the song. No need for the Algebra degree. Etsy-selling lady figured it all out. ¿Cierto?

Tequila = Mexican, which means: Mexican = Sombrero and Zarapes.

A taste of the salty lyrics (no lime required.)

"Them pantyhose ain't gonna last too long

If the DJ puts Bon Jovi on

She might come home in a table cloth.

Ya tequila makes her clothes fall off"

Unconvinced by a blog? Confident that this troublesome blogger probably comes without the sort of academic credentials designed to make you sweat? Wrong again. The blog's creator ...

William Anthony Nericcio is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at San Diego State University in California, where he also serves on the faculty of the Center for Latin American Studies and the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies.

... has even written a much praised book on the topic.

Tex[t]-Mex: Seductive Hallucinations of the "Mexican" in America, by William Anthony Nericcio

A rogues' gallery of Mexican bandits, bombshells, lotharios, and thieves saturates American popular culture. Remember Speedy Gonzalez? "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Vélez? The Frito Bandito? Familiar and reassuring—at least to Anglos—these Mexican stereotypes are not a people but a text, a carefully woven, articulated, and consumer-ready commodity. In this original, provocative, and highly entertaining book, William Anthony Nericcio deconstructs Tex[t]-Mexicans in films, television, advertising, comic books, toys, literature, and even critical theory, revealing them to be less flesh-and-blood than "seductive hallucinations," less reality than consumer products, a kind of "digital crack."

Nericcio engages in close readings of rogue/icons Rita Hayworth, Speedy Gonzalez, Lupe Vélez, and Frida Kahlo, as well as Orson Welles' film Touch of Evil and the comic artistry of Gilbert Hernandez. He playfully yet devastatingly discloses how American cultural creators have invented and used these and other Tex[t]-Mexicans since the Mexican Revolution of 1910, thereby exposing the stereotypes, agendas, phobias, and intellectual deceits that drive American popular culture. This sophisticated, innovative history of celebrity Latina/o mannequins in the American marketplace takes a quantum leap toward a constructive and deconstructive next-generation figuration/adoration of Latinos in America.

Why bring this up?

Just because I believe in teachable moments -- nothing more, nothing less, and if the ones who should be doing it refuse to so much as answer e-mails, I'm eager to step into the breach with source material.

SATIRE ALERT: Develop New Albany announces immediate need for turbans, flutes and rubber snakes -- and maybe a tomahawk, just to be safe.

This is NOT India.

It may not be as obvious as sombreros, maracas and the Frito Bandito's Suburbanite Fight Song ...

But this IS Develop New Albany.

 ... so I'll diagram today's satire, starting here with DNA's forthcoming networking gig at a new business which will learn the truth soon enough.

The Kula Center is hosting the event, and it looks like the Kula Center is going to be an awesome place (and this is no satire).

The Kula Center is your destination for health and wellness in Southern Indiana. Located in downtown New Albany, services currently include yoga instruction, massage, health coaching, cupping, and meditation.

Kula means community of the heart in the Sanskrit language, and that is what you will find at The Kula. Integrated into a historic neighborhood, with grounds that include century old trees, a visit to The Kula Center will lift your spirits and provide new insights into how to live your best life.

In retrospect, I wish the Kula Center hadn't mentioned those century-old trees; somewhere, Jeff Gahan's sawdust-flecked ears are twitching, and he'll be down at the Street Department lubing the Husqvarna before dusk falls.

The point is Sanskrit.

Sanskrit is the classical language of Indian and the liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is also one of the 22 official languages of India. The name Sanskrit means "refined", "consecrated" and "sanctified". It has always been regarded as the 'high' language and used mainly for religious and scientific discourse.

Experience hath shown that DNA won't be able to resist the temptation to "reach out" for a low cultural denominator to appropriate, and what could be more stereotypically inappropriate than snake charmers?

Because ... as with those as yet unaddressed sombreros, maracas and delighted Frito Bandito squeals ... snake charming is a delicate topic.

But, let's learn more.

BBC investigates India's snake charmers and gets told that all the snakes left in 1947

The channel raised a storm on social media after asking whether India should erase its snake charming culture to embrace modernity.

See?

This is how we construct satire with a positive and educational message, even if DNA refuses to acknowledge this or any of my recent messages.

India's wonderful, Kula's cool, and we're never going to forget DNA's Taco Walk transgressions for so long as the taxpayer-supported organization refuses to address them publicly.

C'mon, DNA: The time has come. A fact's a fact. Taco Walk belongs to her. Why not give it back?

DNA's and the newspaper's masks ... or, thoughts occasioned by an excellent essay called "Meet the man who hides behind a mask."

Come to think of it, I may have over-thought this satire. If Sanskrit is an official language of India, and if Indians live in India, then we should expect to see this sort of misplaced Indian stereotype.

SMH. Anyone have numbers on DNA's municipal funding level?

Who'd have guessed? William Anthony Nericcio's "aggressive, relentless, and, at times, pathological interrogation of Mexican, Latina/o, Chicana/o, "Hispanic," Mexican-American, and Latin American stereotypes."

Apropos to nothing in particular, were you aware of this blog?

The new and improved Tex[t]-Mex Galleryblog™ devotes itself to the aggressive, relentless, and, at times, pathological interrogation of Mexican, Latina/o, Chicana/o, "Hispanic," Mexican-American, and Latin American stereotypes. It is both the online supplement to and the bastard sister of a 2007 University of Texas Press book. The book, marketed for the general public (not just academic cultural studies wonks) and a perfect (if a tad garish) stocking stuffer, is also available from Powells, Amazon.com, and LA's rad Skylight Books.

The educational opportunities are virtually limitless, but here's a particularly instructive blog entry: Hipster Ode: Sombreros, Zarapes, and the Witchy Magic of Tequila.

Well there! Thanks to our friend Miguel-Angel Soria for the saucy linkazo to Etsy, the hipster DIY mercado. This stationer was so inspired by the dreamy voice of Joe Nichols' song: Tequila Makes her Clothes Fall Off, she designed a bachelorette party invitation as a loose-fitting ode to the song. No need for the Algebra degree. Etsy-selling lady figured it all out. ¿Cierto?

Tequila = Mexican, which means: Mexican = Sombrero and Zarapes.

A taste of the salty lyrics (no lime required.)

"Them pantyhose ain't gonna last too long

If the DJ puts Bon Jovi on

She might come home in a table cloth.

Ya tequila makes her clothes fall off"

Unconvinced by a blog? Confident that this troublesome blogger probably comes without the sort of academic credentials designed to make you sweat? Wrong again. The blog's creator ...

William Anthony Nericcio is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at San Diego State University in California, where he also serves on the faculty of the Center for Latin American Studies and the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies.

... has even written a much praised book on the topic.

Tex[t]-Mex: Seductive Hallucinations of the "Mexican" in America, by William Anthony Nericcio

A rogues' gallery of Mexican bandits, bombshells, lotharios, and thieves saturates American popular culture. Remember Speedy Gonzalez? "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Vélez? The Frito Bandito? Familiar and reassuring—at least to Anglos—these Mexican stereotypes are not a people but a text, a carefully woven, articulated, and consumer-ready commodity. In this original, provocative, and highly entertaining book, William Anthony Nericcio deconstructs Tex[t]-Mexicans in films, television, advertising, comic books, toys, literature, and even critical theory, revealing them to be less flesh-and-blood than "seductive hallucinations," less reality than consumer products, a kind of "digital crack."

Nericcio engages in close readings of rogue/icons Rita Hayworth, Speedy Gonzalez, Lupe Vélez, and Frida Kahlo, as well as Orson Welles' film Touch of Evil and the comic artistry of Gilbert Hernandez. He playfully yet devastatingly discloses how American cultural creators have invented and used these and other Tex[t]-Mexicans since the Mexican Revolution of 1910, thereby exposing the stereotypes, agendas, phobias, and intellectual deceits that drive American popular culture. This sophisticated, innovative history of celebrity Latina/o mannequins in the American marketplace takes a quantum leap toward a constructive and deconstructive next-generation figuration/adoration of Latinos in America.

Why bring this up?

Just because I believe in teachable moments -- nothing more, nothing less, and if the ones who should be doing it refuse to so much as answer e-mails, I'm eager to step into the breach with source material.

Taco Walk teaching tools: Time for DNA to stand up, step forward and begin learning AND teaching about cultural appropriation.

Ramsey sombrero photo sparks outcry, apology (C-J; 10-29-15)

Thanks to Jeff Gillenwater for inserting this link (below) into the discussion about Develop New Albany, its recent Taco Walk and the inappropriateness of sombreros, maracas and Frito Bandito theme songs amid what should be a foodie event, absent the condescending overtones.

It's up to Develop New Albany to own Saturday's errors in judgment and to make them right. These miscues are a teaching tool, but DNA must understand the ramifications and sincerely wish to use the opportunity.

If DNA actually is what it says (and thinks) it is, then it will have an earnest internal discussion and emerge with the right words and the appropriate actions. But if the wagons are circled and DNA's board refuses to discuss this publicly, then its Taco Walk becomes the Main Street organization's Thanksgiving promotion moment on WKRP in Cincinnati.

Paraphrasing Arthur Carlson: "As God is my witness, I think sombreros look cute on smoking hot Latino gardeners."

Sorry, DNA, but that's not enough. You're chartered to know better. Getting public money? Then you have absolutely no choice except to improve, and to fix this. You can do it. Step one is admitting there's a problem.

The Taco Walk doesn't need cheap stereotypes to succeed -- and no, I'm not the only one who feels this way. Open your eyes, DNA.

Commentary: Cultural Appropriation Is, In Fact, Indefensible, by K. Tempest Bradford (NPR)

 ... Cultural appropriation can feel hard to get a handle on, because boiling it down to a two-sentence dictionary definition does no one any favors. Writer Maisha Z. Johnson offers an excellent starting point by describing it not only as the act of an individual, but an individual working within a "power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group."

That's why appropriation and exchange are two different things, Johnson says — there's no power imbalance involved in an exchange. And when artists appropriate, they can profit from what they take, while the oppressed group gets nothing.

James "U of L" Ramsey, sombreros, stereotypes and DNA's institutional legacy of tone deafness.

Now with an update.

Speaking of "portraying inappropriate and untrue stereotypes," you might remember this story from late October, 2015.

Then again, if you're on the board of Develop New Albany ... probably not.

Ramsey sombrero photo sparks outcry, apology

 ... Olivia Krauth, the editor of the student newspaper The Louisville Cardinal, wrote Thursday that "if a fraternity threw a party with a Mexican theme and pictures of them in these outfits got out, they would be in huge trouble just like countless other Greek organizations across the country in the past few years. ... As the president of a university, I would expect more."

In 2012, for example, a Penn State sorority apologized for "portraying inappropriate and untrue stereotypes" following a Mexican-themed party that included similar garb.

Karman said he wasn't certain what university policy would be in such instances, adding that it would likely be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

As social media criticism grew, university officials released an apology Thursday evening, addressing it to "Hispanic/Latino Faculty, Staff and Students."

Evidently as we develop New Albany, we needn't worry about such matters. Looking forward to DNA's explanation? It might not be a good idea to hold your breath.

By the way, last evening's walk to Israel's Delicias de Mexico Gourmet and the meal that followed both were superb ... and we were able to wear normal clothing, too, sans headgear.

(thanks Clint)

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Update: Evening follow-up post ... A message from Mayor Gahan.

"Little white girl" on privilege and activism.

Some of us have said and done a lot. None of us have said and done enough.

Feeling better and doing better are two different things. This "little white girl", as she calls herself,  is well worth a listen.

Hilarity at Horseshoe as Deen becomes disposable.

Harrumph.

When Horseshoe dropped NABC from draft sales (it took two frigging years to navigate the casino bureaucracy and get those beers pouring in the first place), local media completely ignored the story.

Well, maybe I should have told someone in local media, but by that point I really wasn't up to giving a damn.

Can we be truthful?

Any casino in the world is about one thing, and one thing alone: Gambling, and the profits to be derived from it.

The rest, whether NABC Black & Blue Grass or Ku Klux Kobbler, is secondary. That any benefit whatever to the community is accrued through the offerings of the Foundation results from indirect taxation on casino patrons, when local government refuses to do the deed itself.

Irony. How very elusive hereabouts.

horseshoe-southern-indiana.php">Paula Deen Buffet Dropped By Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, by Zach Everson (Eater Louisville)

Rumor has it Guy Fieri might be available...(and he likes to visit Louisville for Derby).

Last week, of course, a deposition leaked in which Deen admitted to casually dropping n-bombs and other racist behavior.

The "R" word: Dave Zirin's open letter to Dan Snyder.

Reading Zirin's opening line, I couldn't help remembering Mikhail Gorbachev's words to Erich Honecker in 1989: "Life punishes those who come too late."

It was pried from Honecker's cold, deposed hand.

Probably Snyder's, too.

Enough: An open letter to Dan Snyder, by Dave Zirin (Grantland)

Dear Dan Snyder,

History tends to be unkind to those who make bold proclamations against change.1 You have made it crystal clear that you believe there is nothing wrong with the name of our region's beloved franchise and probably perceive Webster's dictionary to have some politically correct, liberal agenda when it defines redskin as "usually offensive." You've never commented on its past use in this country as a term of derision, humiliation, and violence. Why bother getting hung up on history? After all, as a wise man once said, that's why pencils have erasers.