Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Racism 101 Asked And Answered: "What's The Deal With The Word 'Cholo'?"
Low riders are a common image associated with cholo culture. (via Pixelbay)
()
WHAT IS RACISM 101?
-
We created Racism 101 to help our audience facilitate their own thought-provoking talks around race, with a conversation "starter kit," and extensive anti-racism resource guides to inform and educate. To field these questions, we assembled a panel of Angelenos willing to answer so folks didn't have to ask their friends, or even strangers.
We've solicited questions from our audience — awkward, tough-to-ask, even silly questions — that they've perhaps wanted to ask people unlike themselves but have been too shy, embarrassed or afraid to ask.
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Q: "What's the deal with the term 'cholo?' How did it evolve, and who is allowed to say it?"
MTV Decoded, a weekly web series, breaks down the origins of the word cholo.
Support for LAist comes from
Cholo can evoke many negative connotations and stereotypes. But there's a historical, cultural complexity enmeshed in those five letters.
Ari Taylor, a recent USC journalism master's program graduate, explored these intricacies in her capstone project. She summarizes them succinctly:
It's safe to say that cholo culture is more than riding down Sunset in a candy-coated Impala or going to Sephora in order to draw on the most perfect eyeliner wing. It's more than negative stereotypes of gangbanging on the blocks of East L.A.
It is history. It is a culture. It is resistance and activism.
HOW OUR RACISM 101 PANELISTS RESPONDED
Pat, a Latina from East L.A., had this to say:
"There are many differing explanations of the term cholo. You can look it up to find it described as a derogatory term for mestizos, who are the results of the indigeneous people and the European invaders. I am a mestiza. However, from my perspective, there are two ways to view the term: From the inside: a cholo is a member of a varrio. A cholo is ready to do battle with any external threats to the varrio. From the outside: a cholo is considered a gangmember and therefore a threat to be put away in prison at the earliest possible time. To those of us from the varrio, it is easy to spot a cholo but not so for others. Because of that, I say the term is not meant for use by those not from the varrio."
Support for LAist comes from
Note: Barrio is the agreed upon spelling by the vast majority of Spanish speakers. Varrio is Chicanoese - those of us in East Los Angeles, among other places, spell it with a "v."
Matthew, who describes himself as "multi-ethnic Afro-Indigenous" and the son of parents from Cuba and Honduras said this.
Editor's Note: Ari Taylor was Dana Amihere's graduate student at USC in Spring 2020.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist