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not a lesson in stereotypes, but an insider guide to 21st Century fascism...



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Reuters worldwide breaks a story on Tex[t]-Mex

A very kind, short review feature on Tex[t]-Mex: Seductive Hallucination of the "Mexican" in America just broke on the Reuters wire-service! My thanks to reporter Adriana García for the ink!

Reuters released the story in español as well!

Speedy Gonzales, Gonzales Tamales, Marijuana, and the Acme of "Mexican" Stereotypes

Friz Freleng is a genius and one of the aims of Tex[t]-Mex is to do justice to his vision--not for nothing does chapter three engage in a detailed analysis of Freleng and Jacques Derrida's unpredictable similarities. No, I am not joking! Freleng and Derrida! Freleng's position in the Hall of Fame of American Cultural Artifacts is secure, as is his place in the rogue's gallery of magnificant stereotype imagineers.

Recent forays on the net led me to a decent "print" of Freleng's Gonzales, Tamales from 1957. It is a curious animated short wherein Speedy is betrayed by his comrade mice for stealing "all the ladies." Listen late in the piece for Speedy's sung marijuana bit:



Freleng's colleagues at Warner Brothers include another genius, genius-crafter of stereotypes, by the name of Bob Clampett. His "masterpiece," Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs, is also available via youtube here:

Catherine Tate, Translator

While I was staying with a graduate school chum in the England's Cotswolds this past summer, I was introduced to the comedy of Catherine Tate, a hilarious British comedian and actress. One of her pieces was "right up my alley," as they say, because its comedy hinges on the lurid magic and cruel logic of stereotypes.



I have to admit the skit leaves me speechless (and laughing!)--having written a book on the labyrinthine machinations of stereotypes, you would think I could hold forth in broad strokes of sophisticated pedantry, but the well is dry. What do you make of this?

Lou Dobbs, estilo "Mexicano," at Pocho.com

Once before, the Tex[t]-Mex Galleryblog has had words with prolix and peculiar CNN talkinghead Lou Dobbs, whose views on immigration give the terms shrill and paranoia new depth. Others are on his expansive tail as well!! Hence this link to a May 2007 story at loco Lalo Alcaraz's pocho.com where the Mad Hatter of Chicano comedy has cooked up a scheme to upset the Lou Dobbs juggernaut CNN is hot on the trail of the story! No joke! Be sure to check out pocho.tv as well! The official press release for the contest is here. The philosophy guiding Alcaraz's enterprise is bracing:

"It is the Pocho Hour of Power's contention that today's modern immigrant is assimilation minded and generally eager to please. Today's undocumented immigrant is the uninformed American of tomorrow. Americans have a great tradition of naming their offspring after public figures, like John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Archie Bunker. What could be more patriotic than naming your baby after a beloved American bigot?"