Once a Chicano, Always a Chicano Eduardo Lopez Per.

1A

Misuse of Cursing Have you ever heard someone curse not knowing what it means? How it affects others? What are they trying to say? Well this essay, inspired by Jose Burciagas Drink Cultura will inform you about the history of most common curse words in Spanish and how different meanings have different tones on people. Foul language, in translation, have many meanings that can affect people in different ways. Pendejo, a Spanish word that is commonly used to call someone stupid or a dumbass. The word pendejo can have a very negative tone especially in Mexico and Central America, but have you thought of how it can be used in a positive way? In Argentina, a pendejo is a young adult who is a male. In South America, it means a person with a disorderly or irregular life. The word pendejo can lead to other words like pendejada, which is calling an idea stupid so not necessarily a person. The female version of a pendejo is a pendeja. In Chile and Uruguay, pendejo or pendeja refers to immaturity or a brat. However, in Peru the word means someone who is clever, especially with regards in street smarts. People misuse this word by calling someone else a pendejo when really they havent done anything stupid or arent stupid. People call each other pendejo just for the fun of it. They do it to criticize and hurt others. For example, I know people who call others fags, when really they arent homosexual or have anything to do with it. They just call one another names to try and hurt them. Thats how I think people misuse this word. Another word that has different meanings is the Spanish word, Cabron. The word carbon is probably one of the curse words that sound really harsh. This word means fucker or bitch in

Spanish. In can also mean a cheater. If someone cheats in a relationship, they are considered a carbon or cabrona because it refers to putting horns on. The two words are common in America and harsh. The other meaning of this word is a male goat. Both meanings are somewhat similar because they have something to do with a goat. People also misuse this word by thinking it means calling someone stupid when it really isnt. They think it means dumbass or stupid ass. Ive heard people call each other this. I asked them what it meant and they told me it meant dumbass. I corrected them and told them what it meant and how its supposed to be used. People take advantage of words when it comes to cursing at someone or trying to insult them. I dont think this is that bad, but its not that good either. Its not good because people start using these words too much without knowing what it means. They misuse it. Then when people begin to use a word a lot, the word loses its meaning and significance. This happens a lot with words. For example, the word swagg. A lot of people began to use this word to describe something cool. Soon everyone began to use it for everything. Now its kind of annoying and hardly anyone uses it. The words catch on, then they get too popular and people feel weird saying the word so they stop using it. Cursing has had a huge impact on people not only because of the meaning of the word, but also of how its been used. It might not seem important, but cursing is a part of the whole worlds language and grammar. Foul language, in translation, have many meanings that can affect people in different ways. That is why we must be careful about what we say and how we use our words.

Halloween vs. Dia de los Muertos Halloween and Dia de los Muertos , two different holidays for two different reasons. You may have thought it was the same thing just in different places. Well at least thats what I thought. Have you ever thought about it? Halloween and Dia de los Muertos may involve spirits and the dead, but have different meanings within their cultures. Halloween and Dia de los Muertos , a day to celebrate the dead, spirits, and monsters. Both holidays are very similar, but not exactly at the same place, time, or theme. Halloween is celebrated in the United States on October 31st of every year. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd along with the Catholic holiday All Saints Day. It is celebrated in Mexico and in some parts of the U.S.. Both holidays have different stories behind them. Halloween originated in Ireland . It is told that the spirits of the dead would come back the next year to possess living bodies. People didnt want to be possessed so on October 31, they would dress up and decorate in a spooky manner in order to scare away the spirits. Now people celebrate buy disguising themselves and gathering treats from the neighborhood. Dia de los Muertos started in Mexico by the indigenous people then the Spaniards came along and began to celebrate this tradition. It has been kept as it is today. People visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried . They decorate the graves with flowers and candles. They also put wooden skull masks which are called calacas. There are two types of skulls that are used, calacas and sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person. These are eaten by a

relative or close friend. They take toys to the dead children and liquor to adults. Then they eat their loved ones favorite food. Halloween has been celebrated in the U.S., but not by everyone. People who dont celebrate Halloween dont celebrate it because of their religion or personal interest. They might have different beliefs or just might not find a reason to celebrate Halloween. Halloween isnt celebrated in Mexico because they feel they have no need to celebrate it. On the other hand, Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos to celebrate the death of their loved ones so you can say that Dia de los Muertos is like their own Halloween. In the United States , Dia de los Muertos is known as Day of the dead. The holiday is known but not very much celebrated. I as a chicano celebrate Halloween like any other person who celebrates this day in America. Dress up as anything I want, collect candy, and watch scary movies. The traditional way. However, I do not celebrate el Dia de los Muertos. Not a lot of people in my family that I know of have died, which is one reason why I dont celebrate this day. My family and I dont really have a reason to celebrate el Dia de Los Muertos. Halloween and Dia de los Muertos , probably one of the most popular holidays in Mexico and the U.S. These two holidays can relate to one another even though they are celebrated in two different places. Halloween and Dia de los Muertos give each of the countries a chance to add their flavor or style in the holiday to celebrate monsters and death. So, they may involve spirits and the dead, but have different meanings within their cultures.

592 words

Mexican Heroes Heroes in Mexican Culture have revolutionized the world without using violence. What makes a hero a hero? A mask? A cape? Well not necessarily. What makes a hero is courage, smart, and caring. For example, Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Frida Khalo, and Diego Rivera have changed the world , but unlike other historical figures who have revolutionized the world, these Mexican Heroes didnt use violence to solve their problems. Cesar Chavez started out as a small boy from Yuma, Arizona. His parents were farm workers while he went to school. At school, Cesar Chavez saw the racism that was happening during that time. Spanish was forbidden. Teachers would hit their students with rulers if they spoke Spanish. Cesar Chavez then graduated from school in the 8th grade because his dad had been in an accident and he didnt want his mother to work in the fields. The only way to help out his family was to work in the fields. Cesar and Dolores saw the discrimination of farm owners against farm workers. Owners wouldnt pay the workers enough or even pay them at all. They had nothing to offer them, not even shade or water. This angered the Farm workers. Cesar had been influenced by Ghandi and thought of going on strike for not being treated fairly. The strike was known as La Huelga. They began to Boycott and Pickett all around California. This movement was called La Causa (The Cause). La Causa was a movement to fight for farm workers rights in a peaceful manner. Finally on July 29, 1970, farm owners admitted defeat and signed contacts with the UFW giving them better working conditions. Although Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta struggled a lot, they revolutionized how people see Mexicans today.

Frida Khalo, Mexican painter. Frida Khalo was born on July 6, 1907. Frida Khalo was struck with Polio at age 6. Her right leg grew very thin. At a young age, Frida wanted to graduate from medical school and became a doctor, but she soon became bored and began to ditch classes. The medical school she attended later expelled her. Frida joined a political group called Cachuchas,that supported socialist-nationalist ideas. Frida often became ill and would lay in bed all day looking at a mirror and draw self-portraits. She then saw Diego Rivera painting a mural during the Mexican Renaissance and would secretly spy on him. She was very fascinated by the artists work and also had a crush on him. Diego Rivera had been hired by the Government to paint murals. Most of his murals had to do with society. Both artist met later on through a friend. Frida showed Diego her work of art and Diego thought she had talent. They got married later on and both artist traveled to paint murals and host shows. The artistic couple probably never noticed what they were doing, but they had revolutionized art. They changed peoples perspective about art and the Mexican Culture. They influenced other young artist to pursue their dream just how Fridah Khalo overcame her illness and Diego Rivera overcame his controversies like using sacrilegious subject. Heroes in Mexican Culture have revolutionized the world without using violence. Thanks to them, they give the Mexican Culture another reason to be proud of. People like Cesar Chavez and Frida Khalo give anyone of Mexican background hope and strength in overcoming their problems in order to achieve their goals in life. These two pair of heroes have came up with the best way to lead a revolution which was not using weapons or fist, but their actions and words. C/S

607 words

Citations www.ufw.org www.chavezfoundation.org www.biografias.com/chavez_cesar

Chicano Pride Chicano, a mixture of Mexican and American culture. An ethnicity I am proud to be a part of. The Mexican culture and tradition has become even more popular due to the population of Mexicans and Chicanos in the U.S.. In this country, not only has American tradition taken over the lives of cultures around the world, but also Mexican tradition and culture. Influences of Mexican culture on the world at large have given me an understanding that Mexican culture has not only influenced the world in food and art, but also things like media and civil rights movements. In the documentary Brown is the new Green, it shows how Mexican culture moves to the U.S. and becomes Chicanismo or Latino. The title refers to Mexicans being the new money or successful people. Brown is the new Green talks about how Mexican culture has taken over the media. For example, comedians like George Lopez sell out almost every show. The reason this happens is because he can relate to Hispanics in America and talk about what they have been through as a race. Latino music like Merengue and Salsa have also taken over the media. People all over the world have probably listened to some sort of Spanish music. I know in the U.S. , people who dont even speak a Latin language, listen to Mexican music. It means people from the Mexican Culture have influenced different ethnic races to listen to Latin music. Things like this have helped my Culture grow and become even more popular. Before, White people use to be the majority of the U.S., now it seems as if Latin Americans are the majority. My culture has also influenced the world in civil rights movements like Cesar Chavez and the UFW (United Farm Workers). Cesar Chavez has influenced the world by proving that the things that seem impossible, are actually possible. In other words, he gives us a sense of hope. He has been a hero to Hispanics in America and people from other races.

I think Mexican Culture has had a positive influence on the world at large. Its positive because nothing really bad comes from the Mexicans to the white. Mexicans bring new things or inventions and influence others, but its the same thing with Americans and other cultures because America has also influenced Mexico in a lot of ways like fashion, food, and music. In the end, we end up wanting even more things and ideas. In the future, I think the world will become balanced in having different cultures because people migrate from one place to another and that brings new traditions and cultures, like Mexico influences the U.S. and places like El Salvador. Mexico takes new ideas to that place. Then, the U.S. influences Mexico and places like Japan and Korea. So, a little bit of each culture spreads from one place to another, uniting different places in the world, influencing one another. Im hoping this will achieve world peace and would give people around the world the idea that we are all the same, just with different beliefs and cultures which makes us who we are.

525 words

C/S