Immigration, Mariachi History, Lowriders
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THE INDIGENOUS AND RURAL HISTORY OF THE MARIACHI
In the mid-19th century, French explorers, fortune-seekers, and a few idealists landed on Mexico’s Pacific coast in search of gold and glory. Some had permission; others didn’t. They rarely found what they came for. Many were arrested or executed.
But a few, inspired by the spirit of Humboldt, wandered the verdant hills of what’s now Jalisco and Nayarit, taking notes on the flora, fauna, and local customs.
One day, so the tale goes, a French traveler stumbled upon a lively village wedding. “Voilà un mariage!” he supposedly cried, watching musicians play amid a crowd of revelers.
According to this version, French ears began to associate mariage—the French word for marriage—with the musicians and the festive music they heard at Mexican weddings. Pronounce them, and they sound quite similar. The name stuck, the story says, and mariachi was born.
SMITHSONIAN TO OPEN LOWRIDER EXHIBIT IN OCTOBER
In a powerful tribute to a uniquely American art form, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will unveil “Corazón y Vida” in October 2025, a major new exhibition tracing the rich, 80-year history of lowrider culture and its role in community building.
Through an evocative mix of photographs, posters, custom tools, car club jackets, trophies, and other artifacts, “Corazón y Vida” will explore how lowriding became a symbol of identity, resilience, and artistic expression—especially within Latino communities across the United States.
As part of the initiative, a traveling companion exhibit, “Lowrider Culture in the United States / Cultura Lowrider en los Estados Unidos,” will hit the road in September 2025. Featuring high-quality digital reproductions, the mobile version is set to tour nationally through 2029, bringing the story of lowriders to audiences far beyond the capital.
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LATINO GDP SOARS TO $4.1 TRILLION, FUELS 30% OF U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH
Latinos are not just shaping the future of American politics—they’re powering its economy.
A new report from UCLA and California Lutheran University reveals that Latino economic output in the U.S. reached a staggering $4.1 trillion in 2023, a record high and a sharp jump from $3.7 trillion the year before. The data, published in the 2025 U.S. Latino GDP Report, underscores what economists and business leaders are increasingly recognizing: Latino communities are a cornerstone of national growth.
According to the report, Latinos accounted for 30.6% of all U.S. GDP growth, making them one of the most dynamic economic forces in the country. Their consumption alone hit $2.7 trillion, fueling businesses, driving demand, and reinforcing their growing influence beyond the ballot box.
Now in its eighth year, the annual report provides a detailed look at the outsized economic contributions of Latinos—whose impact continues to grow across sectors, from labor and entrepreneurship to housing and retail.
LOOKING BACK AT CHICANO MAGAZINES THROUGHOUT HISTORY
From the Chicano Civil Rights Movement to the explosion of boulevard cruising, the 1960s-1990s were arguably the golden age of Chicano culture.
During this time, dozens of Chicano-centric magazines were launched, creating a way for Chicanos to celebrate what would become a distinct and influential sub-culture of Mexican American culture.
Check out our list of some of the most popular classic magazines throughout history.
TRUMP’S LATINO APPROVAL RATING SWINGS WILDLY ACROSS POLLS
According to Newsweek, Donald Trump’s approval rating among Latinos is all over the map.
A new InsiderAdvantage poll of 1,000 likely voters shows 59.6 percent of Hispanics approve of Trump's job performance while 40.4 percent disapprove. The poll was conducted between May 17 and 19 and had a margin of error of 3.09 percent.
A Civiqs/Daily Kos poll, conducted between May 17 and 20 among 1,018 registered voters, shows Trump's approval rating increasing by 15 points among Hispanic voters to 57 percent from 42 in April.
However, an April CNN poll found the proportion of Hispanic Americans who approve of Trump had dropped by 13 points since February.
In addition, an RMG Research/Napolitan News poll, conducted between May 14-21 among 3,000 registered voters, shows Trump's approval rating at 48 percent, while 50 percent disapproved. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percentage points.
DEM STRATEGISTS: DROP IMMIGRATION, PUSH ECONOMY TO WIN LATINOS!
A growing chorus of Democratic strategists and organizers are urging the party to pivot hard toward economic messaging—especially when courting Latino voters. Their warning is clear: immigration-focused appeals may no longer move the needle.
Behind closed doors and in public strategy sessions, influential liberals are pressing Democratic candidates to emphasize bread-and-butter issues like inflation, housing, and wages. They argue that a broad, economy-first message will resonate more deeply with the diverse Latino electorate—whose national origins, political leanings, and daily realities vary widely—than one-size-fits-all cultural appeals.
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