Introducing Our Newest Special Correspondent!
by Latoya Peterson
Netizens of Racialicious, I would like to present our newest correspondent – Arturo R. García! Arturo will be joining the team to primarily cover television and trends. I asked Arturo for a bio, and in typical Arturo fashion, he took the assignment and ran with it – so enjoy this mock interview:
… Let’s get back to the introductory press conference for Racialicious’ newest Special Correspondent, Arturo R. García, already in progress:
What does “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Alla” mean to you?
“Not from here, nor from there.” Pretty much the story of my life. Growing up bilingual in Mexico isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, we all got taught English in school, but for whatever reason I spoke it “too well.” Add in the thick glasses and thicker hair – seriously, I used to need a haircut every month or I’d turn into a 5’3 Dr. J – and I understand why kids looked at me as if I were an … uh, maybe “alien” isn’t the best word.But that improved when you moved to the U.S., right?
Overall, yes. For instance, I don’t know if I’d have been in the right place to get tuned into sites like Racialicious if I hadn’t had the experiences I had here.Quit sucking up, man, you got the job.
No, really! I mean, when you’re listening to Maldita Vecindad at a Hispanic job fair and a Mexican kid tells you, “That’s not Mexican music,” that makes you think. When a Mexican co-worker tells you, “You know, I always thought you were a pocho,” you have to start asking questions. And when a white co-worker tells you to take off your watch before covering a funeral for a Mexican by saying, “Mexicans don’t wear that stuff,” you need to find people who can connect to those experiences, because otherwise you want to rip your hair out that all this sort of stuff still goes on. And I don’t know if staying in Mexico would have led me down that road.So, where has the road led you?
I’ve worked in print and television journalism and currently work in Spanish-language commercial radio. I spent six years as part of the Rocky Horror scene, including founding one performance troupe in Kansas, of all places. Besides bringing some snark to Racialicious, I currently host my own blog, The Instant Callback, which, to be perfectly honest, I’m still trying to hone into something equal parts Dear Diary and Multimedia Superstore. And I’m developing two podcasts that would start early next year.Anything else we need to know?
I’m an unabashedly loudmouthed geek, and I know full well what I’m walking into here, and plan to step it up accordingly.
Please join me in welcoming Arturo to the team!
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Carmen Van Kerckhove wrote:
Yay! Welcome, Arturo! Your Heroes recaps almost make me wish I was still watching the show. Almost…
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 10:15 am ¶
Chris wrote:
Congrats! Even though I haven’t read any of your Heroes recaps… I just started watching a couple months ago, and I still have yet to get through Season 2!
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 11:41 am ¶
Thea Lim wrote:
Woot woot! Welcome to the fambly!
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 12:02 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
::blows kiss::
Now I can give you noogies whenever I please. Like…now!
::gives Arturo a noogie::
Welcome to the crew, Arturo!
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 12:45 pm ¶
Arturo wrote:
… I was told there would be punch and pie?
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 1:29 pm ¶
Arturo wrote:
.. I see TCS took care of the “punch” …
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 2:37 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ Arturo–how about cake and ice cream?:-D
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 2:41 pm ¶
wendi muse wrote:
omg a boy!welcome to the convent, my friend
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 2:57 pm ¶
jmn wrote:
Welcome aboard, Arturo. Lovin’ the Heroes recap. Hope to read more from you soon. =)
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 3:29 pm ¶
tracy wrote:
Welcome Auturo.
You’ve now done one more press conference than Sarah Palin
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 3:34 pm ¶
Arturo wrote:
[Dear Mods: I'll understand if you want to delete this post.]
… Thanks, everyone, for the warm response
It’s made for a heck of a day — even USA Today showed me some love. My costume is the 2nd one from the bottom.
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 5:33 pm ¶
Erica wrote:
Congratulations Arturo
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 7:17 pm ¶
Clara wrote:
Welcome Arturo! It’s fun doing Heroes blogging with you! And I know the face behind the emails.
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 8:49 pm ¶
hexy wrote:
Yay Arturo!
Posted 30 Oct 2008 at 10:47 pm ¶
Erin Leigh wrote:
Welcome! Your quote about “ni de aqui, ni de alla” reminded me of some art I found a few years ago, by a tattoo artist named Rocio. I thought you might enjoy it:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ISF4tKEc5So/SFLqDN_y0YI/AAAAAAAAAHY/17mzJ2sLnjc/rocio.jpg
Posted 31 Oct 2008 at 2:37 pm ¶
Peter Pixie wrote:
Arturo and I go back about a decade. He is my brother and dear friend. I can honestly say that my life would be much different without him in it.
He also suggested this webesite and I am glad I read it as it makes me consider why I think as I do and how I see the world around me.
Thanks, Arturo, and hoopla to you for becoming a part of this wonderful place.
(you know where to send the check –
)
Posted 01 Nov 2008 at 8:37 am ¶
Erin Leigh wrote:
dammit – my link didn’t work.
let’s try again – “ni de aqui, ni de alla” artwork by Rocio can be found here:
http://www.porvidaink.com/
Posted 03 Nov 2008 at 9:34 pm ¶