In The Community
The Birth of a Cultural Icon
The term 'Pachuca' is synonymous with young Mexican-American women who belonged to the Pachuco subculture, predominantly seen in the 1940s and 1950s. Pachucas were characterized by their distinctive style of dress and their defiance of conventional societal norms.
A man arrested during the Zoot Suit Riots models a zoot suit and pancake hat in a Los Angeles County jail on June 9, 1943.Original source: Los Angeles Daily News negatives, UCLA Library Department of Special Collections
The Pachuca story begins against the backdrop of World War II, with the "Zoot Suit" riots in Los Angeles. The Zoot Suit, with its high waist, wide legs, and long coat, was the uniform of the Pachuco subculture. The suit was a rebellion against wartime fabric rationing, becoming a symbol of non-conformity and resistance.
The Pachucas adopted this style, adding their own feminine twist with pencil skirts, fishnet stockings, and platform heels. Although in many instances, they opted for wearing the same outfits as the men and wore their hair in high pompadours or styled in a "Victory Roll," further defying societal expectations of a woman's appearance at that time.
Three women, Dora Barrios, Frances Silva, and Lorena Encinas, standing together in a posed group portrait.Image by Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Pachucas didn't just push boundaries with their style; they did so with their dance as well. They embraced dances such as the jitterbug and swing, which originated in African American culture. This was a significant stand against racial segregation and discrimination prevalent in the 1940s.
Pachucas danced with confidence and control, often leading their partners, a role traditionally reserved for men. This direct challenge to the gender norms of the time further established the Pachuca as a symbol of rebellion.
1944 black and white photograph of Ramona Fonseca, a young Mexican-American woman, posing confidently in a stylish zoot suit, representing the fashion and women of that era.Portrait of Ramona" by Shades of L.A. Collection, Los Angeles Public Library, 1944.
The Pachuca movement was more than just about fashion and dance; it was a fight for identity. As Mexican-Americans, the Pachucas found themselves in a liminal space, caught between two cultures. They faced racial discrimination and were often ostracized for not fitting into the traditional Mexican or American female roles.
By embracing the Pachuca lifestyle, these women carved out a unique cultural space for themselves. They refused to be pigeonholed, instead creating a hybrid identity that celebrated both their Mexican heritage and American influence.
The Legacy of the Pachucas
The Pachuca movement left a lasting impression on the world. They were pioneers of their time, making waves in a society that often sought to keep them in their place. Their impact continues to resonate vividly within our modern society. In some cities, such as Los Angeles and Ciudad Juárez, this subculture is not just a page from a history book, but a living, breathing entity, proudly flaunting its continued vitality and strength.
The heart of this culture can be found in areas where Mexican-American populations are substantial, notably in the southwestern United States, such as California and Texas, and in parts of Mexico like Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua.
Pachucos dancing in downtown Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.www.youtube.com
Los Angeles remains a bastion of Pachuco culture, evident in its enduring influence on the city's music, fashion, and art scenes. Events like the
El Pachuco Zoot Suits fashion show or the annual Zoot Suit festival celebrate this distinct style and its cultural impact.
The resurgence of interest in vintage fashion and classic styles in recent years has also led to a renewed appreciation for the Pachuco and Pachuca aesthetic. Their style, a meld of Mexican and American influences, continues to inspire fashion designers today, echoing in the glamor of high fashion runways and the edge of street style.
The Pachucas also contributed significantly to the feminist and Chicano movements, demonstrating the intersectionality of race, gender, and class struggles. By rebelling against traditional gender norms and racial expectations, they paved the way for future activists. Their story has become a rallying cry for those who continue to fight for equality and representation; a powerful reminder of the power of resilience and resistance.
The Pachuca legacy continues to dance through the annals of history serving as a timeless reminder of the power of defiance, the beauty of individuality, and the enduring strength of cultural identity.
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Eating Insects: An Ancient Practice
Insect consumption, or entomophagy, is not a recent fad but rather a practice dating back thousands of years. In pre-Columbian times, indigenous communities across Latin America, from Mexico to Brazil, regularly incorporated insects into their diet. Insects were a reliable food source, easy to find, and rich in essential nutrients.
The use of insects in Latino cuisine varies across the region, and it's closely tied to cultural identity. For example, in Mexico, insects like grasshoppers (chapulines), maguey worms (gusanos de maguey), and ant eggs (escamoles) are regional delicacies with deep cultural roots. In Brazil, Queen ants (Içá or Tanajura) are collected, fried, and eaten as a seasonal snack. The custom of insect consumption is also part of religious and festive events.
Some of the most common types of insects consumed include:
Chapulines (Grasshoppers)
Photo by latusavf on Instagram
Frequently found in Mexican markets, chapulines are rich in protein, fiber, good fats, and are a source of vitamins and minerals. Mix sautéed chapulines with onions, chili peppers, and tomatoes, then spoon this filling into a soft tortilla for some delicious tacos, or add a handful of toasted chapulines to your traditional guacamole recipe to provide a crunchy texture and an extra dose of protein!
Escamoles (Ant eggs)
Known as 'Mexican caviar,' these ant larvae are a good source of protein and low in fat. For a delicious dish, you can sauté escamoles with onions, garlic, and epazote, then serve with warm tortillas as a taco or use escamoles as the main protein in a clear soup along with vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and peas.
Gusanos de Maguey (Maguey worms)
Photo by bichoscomestiblesbyazcamolli on Instagram
These caterpillars are found in the Agave plant and are high in protein and vitamins. Add fried gusanos de maguey to your guacamole for a unique twist and extra protein, or add sautéed maguey worms to melted cheese and serve with tortillas for a delicious queso fundido.
Içá or Tanajura (Queen ants)
Photo by sylviamacedo.photograf on Instagram
Consumed in Brazil, these insects are high in protein and low in saturated fats. Fry the ants with garlic, onions, peppers, and soy sauce, then serve over steamed rice for a protein-packed meal, or add fried queen ants to a clear vegetable soup for an extra boost of protein and unique flavor.
Are insects the future of sustainable and nutritious protein?
Insects provide a substantial nutritional punch, with high levels of protein, fiber, and micronutrients like iron, zinc, and essential vitamins. Their nutritional profile makes them an excellent alternative to traditional sources of protein like beef, chicken, or pork.
From an environmental perspective, insect farming has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than livestock farming. Insects require less land, water, and food and produce fewer greenhouse gases. They can be farmed sustainably and could help address food security issues as global populations continue to rise.
Incorporating insects into the diet is not merely about novelty or shock value. For many Latinos, it's about preserving a historical tradition, a connection to their pre-Hispanic ancestors, and a sustainable way of eating. As the world seeks more environmentally friendly protein sources, we could learn a lot from the Latino tradition of entomophagy.
Yet many Latinos still struggle with race and identity because while Latino is debated as a race, Latinos of various races present as they are, thus confusing non-Latinos whose only familiarity with the community is through stereotypes. Any internet search of what a Latino person “looks like” will confirm the utter and total inaccuracy of what Latinos actually look like.
Google search of “latino person” shows mostly brown-skinned people.
Black Latinos and Afro-Latinos are probably misunderstood the most because mainstream media has done an abysmal job of accurately including them in media narratives. Thus, most people don’t know that Latinos come in all shapes, sizes, and skin colors, which includes Black skin. According to the Pew Research Center, one in four Latinos in the U.S. identifies as Afro-Latino or Black.
The topic of Latino identity and what Latinidad means, particularly in America, is multi-dimensional and ever-evolving. The community as a collective can’t even decide what they want to be called - and maybe that’s a good thing, because if non-Latinos want a single label, they won’t ever do the work of learning the cultural and racial diversity that makes the concept of Latinidad so unique. Being Latino in the U.S. means more than just an outward appearance; it means culture, language, ancestry, geographical roots, and so much more.
The Erasure of Black and Afro-Latinos in Media
For decades, the media has portrayed a specific image of what a Latino “looks” like. Unsurprisingly, that image is lighter-skinned Latinos like Sofia Vergara, Salma Hayek, and Jennifer Lopez.
Researcher Keara K. Goin noted in her research paper in the “Afrolatinidad” subsection, “Popularly imagined as a homogenous “brown” race with a mixed Indigenous and Spanish ethnoracial heritage, the extreme diversity within the Latinx population is systematically flattened, ignored, and erased.”
In his Times article, Andrew R Chow looked at how Afro-Latino actors continue to struggle against Latino stereotypes and discrimination. He points out that “Afro-Latino actors are consistently shut out of roles because they don’t match that image—and when they are cast, it’s even rarer that they get to play Afro-Latino characters, instead playing characters who are Black or mixed race but not Latino.”
The lack of Afro-Latino acknowledgment has its cultural and literal roots in Latin America, where being Afro-Latino comes with displacement and exclusion. It’s painfully apparent in Spanish-language entertainment where non-white actors are rarely cast, much less Afro-Latino actors, opting instead to uphold harmful western beauty standards and colorism by exclusively hiring actors that are either white or very white-passing.
Changing this narrative is far from easy, but it takes creating consciousness first. Starting with learning and accepting that Latinos aren’t just one race, Latinos are different races, and Afro-Latinos are a significant and crucial part of the community. Therefore we must continue to advocate for Afro-Latino inclusion and representation. Hollywood has made some progress in the representation of Afro-Latinos, but not nearly enough.
Afro-Latinos are still too often cast aside or told they should be playing Black characters instead, not Latino ones, because they don’t “fit” into that role. We must take power from our narratives and find support in each other regardless of race. We need Afro-Latino representation so that this harmful cycle is broken, which will result in future generations who celebrate culture, empower all Latinos, and understand how uniquely beautiful and how uniquely Latino the darker shades of our people truly are.
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