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<p><strong>SPECIAL MINUTEMAN PROJECT EDITION</strong></p>
<p> In honor of April Fools’ Day, I turn this column over to Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project movement, to answer your <em>preguntas</em>. Enjoy!</p>
Out around town
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<p><strong>Dear Mexican: I just read that Speedy Gonzales is getting his own feature film and will be voiced by George Lopez. I read in the that Lopez said he gave Speedy his “Latino Seal of Approval.” Who grants this seal? What does it look like? And how did Lopez get it?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Hija of the MiscegeNation</strong></p>
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<p><strong>SPECIAL SAN DIEGO EDITION</strong></p>
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<p><strong> : When I was in high school, everyone called the Mexican students like myself “cheddars.” I’m not sure where this originated from, or what it really has to do with Mexican culture. When I have asked other Mexicans what this means, they are not sure, either. “Cheddar packing” is a term used to describe a car full of Mexicans. I hope you can answer this for me—<em>muchas gracias</em>!</strong></p>
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<p><strong> People talk about the costs of illegal immigration on our society. What about the savings? Has there been any research into how much more a meal at a restaurant would cost without Mexicans cooking and washing dishes? What percentage increase would we see with supermarket produce if migrant illegal laborers were paid a fair wage?</strong></p>
<p><strong>El Mojado Acaudalado</strong></p>
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<p><strong>SPECIAL SEXY EDITION</strong></p>
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<p><strong>SPECIAL NARCO EDITION</strong></p>
<p> <strong>How can a formerly proud Latina like myself feel proud to be Mexican again after my beloved relative was murdered in Mexico by narcos while visiting? I still have love for my heritage, and I understand that many Mexican people live in desperate situations because they have no opportunity. But on that day, I was not proud to be a Mexican. And I wonder if I will ever be again.</strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: medium;">SPECIAL TACO BELL EDITION </span></p>
<p> <strong>Why do so many Mexicans work for Taco Bell and El Pollo Loco? Don’t they know they only add a false credence to the belief that this is Mexican cuisine? The bastardizing of the truly great and diverse food of Mexico by the money-hungry corporations of the U.S., I feel, contributes to the overall misconception about the diversity and culture of the Mexican people.</strong></p>