Reader: If “Ask a Mexican” Was called “Ask a Black,” People Would Be Up in Arms

For years, one of the most popular features in Westword and other Voice Media Group papers around the country has been the "Ask a Mexican" column penned by Gustavo Arellano, who edits the OC Weekly, one of our sister papers. Nevertheless, not everyone responds to Arellano's brash approach to the topics he tackles...
By Michael Roberts
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For years, one of the most popular features in Westword and other Voice Media Group papers around the country has been the “Ask a Mexican” column penned by Gustavo Arellano, who edits the OC Weekly, one of our sister papers.

Nevertheless, not everyone responds to Arellano’s brash approach to the topics he tackles.

An example comes in a comment to a recent piece headlined DEAR MEXICAN: WHY DO WABS ALWAYS RUB THEIR BELLIES?

Here’s what one reader had to say.

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Karye Ann writes:

Why is this okay? The depiction of Mexicans as dirty and slovenly is absurd. If it was called Ask a Black or Asian and treated with the same stereotypical attitude, people would be up in arms. Questions about friend chicken, watermelon, bad driving and high math scores anyone?

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts. For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword‘s news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

michaelrobertscolo@gmail.com

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