Bad Funny
A weekly newsletter dedicated to unfiltered news, politics, and commentary. No apologies.
DAILY CHELA LINKS
BAD FUNNY
With just nine days left before the election, Donald Trump held a sold out rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, marking the beginning of the final week of his presidential campaign and introducing a new economic strategy.
The rally, however, was quickly overshadowed by guest comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” drawing condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike.
In an unusual move, the Trump campaign sought to distance itself from the remarks, stating, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
In response to the incident, Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris by posting a video of her.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, could provide a boost to Harris’s campaign as it seeks to strengthen its appeal among Latino voters, a demographic where Trump is attempting to gain support.
In the video shared with his 45 million Instagram followers, Harris emphasizes the importance of the election for Puerto Rican voters, stating, “there’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BRACERO — VIA AUDIO!
It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time when the United States formally asked Mexico to send workers to help prop up its struggling economy.
During World War II, as the U.S. faced a severe shortage of agricultural labor, the Bracero Program was established—an agreement that, from 1942 to 1964, brought millions of Mexicans legally across the border for short-term work. Mexico provided the “brazos” (arms), while the United States promised jobs, housing, protection from discrimination and other benefits.
In 22 years, between 4 and 5 million braceros were hired in California and other states.
What was it like for these men to leave their homeland, their families, and journey to a different world? For some, those years remained in their memory as a time of hard work and accomplishment; others remembered long hours, low pay, and difficult conditions—experiences that shaped the lives of these often unsung heroes.
For this column, we listened to hours of rare audio interviews made in Spanish decades ago, when the original braceros were still living, to gain firsthand insight into what the workers were feeling.
LATINO VOTERS STILL SPLIT BETWEEN CANDIDATES?
As Election Day approaches in less than two weeks, U.S. presidential candidates are intensifying their efforts to connect with voters, particularly Latinos.
Representing approximately 20% of the U.S. population and 14.7% of eligible voters, Latinos could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. In Pennsylvania, a swing state that saw Trump win by fewer than 50,000 votes in 2016 and lose by about 80,000 in 2020, there are over 570,000 Latino voters.
Arizona, which boasts the largest Latino voter base among swing states at approximately 1.3 million, also has significant implications. Trump won the state by less than 100,000 votes in 2016, while Biden secured it by just over 10,000 in 2020.
Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are actively courting Latinos. However, recent polling indicates Trump is making notable gains, particularly among men. In 2016, Trump won 28% of the Latino vote. In 2020, Trump won 32% of the Latino vote. This year, polls suggest Trump could win between 36%- 40% of the overall Latino vote.
Equis Research released a poll this week surveying 1,298 registered Latino voters across six key swing states, revealing mixed results for Vice President Kamala Harris.
In Nevada, Harris holds a narrow lead over Donald Trump at 54% to 40%, a margin that may not be sufficient come Election Day. Equis noted that her support lags a few points behind President Biden's 2020 performance in the same demographic.
But the Harris campaign does have some positive indicators. The same poll shows Harris with a slight edge over Trump regarding perceptions of who would be better for the economy, with a 49% to 46% advantage—a shift from August when Trump had a 3-point lead on this issue.
Additionally, Harris has made gains in being perceived as a "strong leader," where she leads Trump by 6 points, an area where Biden struggled during his nomination campaign.
RIP TO EL TORO, MEXICAN LEGEND AND BASEBALL ICON
Fernando Valenzuela, the iconic Mexican pitcher who ignited "Fernandomania" while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has passed away at the age of 63. The Dodgers confirmed that Valenzuela died last Tuesday night at a hospital in Los Angeles.
Valenzuela, who had a 17-season career in Major League Baseball, transitioned to become a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Dodgers in 2003. He recently stepped back from his broadcasting role to focus on his health ahead of the playoffs.
Emerging from modest beginnings as the youngest of 12 siblings in Mexico, Valenzuela gained immense popularity and became a significant figure in Los Angeles’ Latino community, drawing new fans to Major League Baseball.
In 1981, Valenzuela made his mark as the Dodgers’ opening day starter after an injury to Jerry Reuss. He delivered a shutout against the Houston Astros and began the season with an impressive 8-0 record, including five shutouts and a remarkable ERA of 0.50.
He made history by being the first player to win both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.
PEPSI DRINKS UP MEXICAN-AMERICAN FOOD BRAND
PepsiCo, Inc. has announced its intention to acquire Garza Food Ventures LLC, operating as Siete Foods, in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.
The acquisition aims to enhance PepsiCo's portfolio by integrating Siete, a brand known for its authentic Mexican-American offerings, and expanding its range of healthier food options. PepsiCo stated that Siete’s diverse product line will enrich its multicultural portfolio, providing flavorful options that are integral to various meal occasions.
Founded in 2014, Siete Foods specializes in producing a variety of heritage-inspired food items, including tortillas, salsas, seasonings, sauces, cookies, and snacks. The brand’s products are widely available in grocery chains, club stores, and organic retailers throughout the United States.
CULTURE CLASH MARKS 40 YEARS OF LAUGHS
This month marks the 40th anniversary of Culture Clash, a pioneering Chicano comedy group that has made a significant impact on the landscape of Latino theater and comedy.
Founded in San Francisco in 1984, Culture Clash initially featured six members but soon streamlined to a trio comprising Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza. The group first gained widespread recognition with their 1988 play, The Mission, which showcased their unique blend of humor that draws on influences like Charlie Chaplin, Bertolt Brecht, Cantinflas, and the Marx Brothers.
With their signature style of social and political satire, Culture Clash has performed at major venues across the East and West Coasts. Their work extends beyond live performances, including television specials such as PBS's A Bowl of Beings and a comedy series titled Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, which features 30 episodes.
The group has also appeared in various films, short films, and stage productions, earning numerous awards and grants throughout their career.
LATINOS ARE GETTING AHEAD WHILE FALLING BEHIND
A new report highlights significant progress among Latinos in attaining college degrees, showing Latinos contributed 79% of the overall 4% increase in degree attainment over the past five years. This analysis was conducted by Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing Latino college completion rates.
Despite gains, Latinos still fall short compared to other demographics. In the 2021-22 academic year, only 27% of Hispanic individuals obtained an associate degree or higher, compared to 44% of the general American population. The report indicates that Latinos remain underrepresented in colleges and universities across the nation.
The study also noted that Latinos have the highest labor force participation rate of any demographic, with more than two-thirds employed in 2022. However, many are concentrated in low-wage sectors.
Additionally, the location of colleges attended by Latinos plays a crucial role in their educational outcomes. Approximately 600 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which constitute only 20% of all colleges, educate over 60% of Latino students in the United States.
The report further emphasizes the positive impact of programs aimed at ensuring graduation for Latino students.
LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS AND MEXICAN HISTORY
We're excited to announce the launch of our brand-new video series designed to deepen your understanding of the complex history that helped shaped Mexico.
This series features engaging lectures and courses led by experts, covering a wide range of topics—from ancient civilizations to modern-day movements. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, there’s something for everyone!
WATCH NOW: AMERICAN HOMEBOY MOVIE
American Homeboy explores the complex origins of pachuco and cholo culture which sprouted from American soil more than 100 years ago in response to wartime sentiment, social alienation, and government discrimination only to become a pop culture phenomenon. Watch it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and The Daily Chela app.
MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB
Please Consider Becoming A Subscriber
At The Daily Chela, we believe that every story matters and that diverse perspectives are crucial in shaping a more informed community. Our mission is to provide a platform for Chicano and Latino voices, share vital stories from our community, and cover news with the depth and context it deserves.
But we can’t do this without you. We rely on the support of readers to continue our work. Your subscription is not just a donation—it’s an investment in the future of indie media.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a Monthly Contribution of only $5.99: Your financial support will help us cover operational costs, pay our dedicated team, and expand our reach to more readers.
To subscribe or donate, simply click on the “upgrade to paid” button.
Thank you for your support and for believing in the power of independent media. Together, we can make sure that every voice is heard and every story is told.