Presidents, Lowriders, and Baseball
A weekly newsletter dedicated to Mexican American news, politics, and culture.
In today’s Daily Chela newsletter….
Spotlight: Latinos and Baseball
Trump Assassination Attempt
Frost: Chicano Rap Pioneer
Podcast: The Upcoming Election
American Homeboy Streetwear
Mexican American Voters
Lowrider Exhibit Opens In TX
More News and Links
Spotlight: How Latinos Revolutionized Baseball
Baseball in the United States is known as a National Pastime. However, just south of the border, it was a full-time passion for many in Latin America. In fact, by 1864 there were leagues in Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The first Latino to play professional baseball in the U.S was Cuban star, Esteban Enrique Bellán, who was white-passing. However, when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, not only did it lift “The Iron Curtain” for African Americans, but also Afro-Latinos.
Some Latinos were able to bend the rules because of their skin color, but they were never considered “superstars” by the general public or media before 1947—except for one. His name was Adolfo Lugue from Havana Cuba, and he was considered a “white-Cuban.” In 1923, Adolfo won 27 games for the Cincinnati Reds and went on to play for 20 years.
Although he reached success, the majority of light-skinned Latino players of that time had a brief run with the league. In the 1950s, that started to change. In 1951, we saw the first two Latinos in MLB history make the All-Star game.
More Informative Things For You…
Election 2024: Trump Assassination Attempt
Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania this past weekend when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop.
According to the FBI, the shooting took place roughly six minutes into Trump’s speech and was carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was armed with semiautomatic weapon.
In wake of the shooting, conspiracy theories flooded social media on both the left and right. On the left, users claimed that the shooting was “staged.” On the right, users claimed Trump was “setup.” (To date, there is no evidence to back either claim).
In a speech to the nation, President Biden condemned political violence and called for peaceful resolution of differences.
Biden's remarks underscored a broader concern over the normalization of violence in political discourse, highlighting the importance for leaders across the political spectrum to uphold civility and respect.
As investigations into the assassination attempt continue, questions persist about security protocols and the broader implications for public safety at high-profile political events.
The attempt on Trump’s life marks the first time a president (current and former) has been targeted since Ronald Regan.
Frost: The Rise Of A Chicano Rap Legend
By the mid-80s, Frost had not only carved out a name for himself in an unforgiving and competitive industry, but managed to land a coveted record deal with Virgin Records. His first album, Hispanic Causing Panic, was an instant success.
Released in 1990, the album featured the hit single “La Raza,” which would become both Frost’s biggest song and a Chicano rallying cry across the west.
The song did more, however, than unify Chicanos and rattle trunks from California to Texas. It thematically served as a foundation for all future Chicano rap artists to build on.
Similarly, terms like “La Raza” became more than a cliché saying from the barrio. They became a declaration of both war and unison at a time when Chicanos were fighting for respect and status in society. Frost just happened to go on record and express it.
Weekly Podcast: Brandon Live
Join Brandon this week as he discusses the Trump assassination attempt, the ongoing spread of conspiracy theories, Joe Biden’s challenging re-election bid, and what it all means for the upcoming election. Watch live or listen weekly on Spotify and Apple.
American Homeboy Streetwear: Subscribers Save 20%
We are excited to announce the new American Homeboy website, along with fresh new T-shirt designs, books, and posters. All paid Daily Chela subscribers get 20% off products at the American Homeboy store. To find your monthly 20% code, visit the Daily Chela subscriber page.
Mexican Americans and The Upcoming Election
For one reason or another, more than a few Mexican American voters decided to throw their support behind conservative candidates. Before you trash them or call them sellouts, you should call on party leaders to deliver on their promises so that they can give our compatriots a reason to believe again. If not, they’ll have to deal with the other side bringing something else to the table.
That’s right: Mexican Americans—the emerging swing vote—now hold one of the most powerful cards in the deck. The question now is whether Chicanos will take their own favorable bargaining position for granted.
If you’re passionate about a particular issue, keep one thing in mind: you’ll know it’s not going anywhere when you begin to hear lines such as “not this time,” “we’re not ready,” and “wait until the next election.” At that point, consider looking at your range of options.
"Carros y Cultura" Exhibit Opens In Austin, Spotlighting Lowrider Culture
The Bob Bullock Museum in Austin, Texas, is celebrating Chicano culture with a new exhibit showcasing custom lowrider cars.
The new exhibit aims to highlight the cultural significance and artistic craftsmanship of lowriders, which have deep roots in Mexican-American communities.
In addition, the display aims to educate and inspire appreciation for Chicano artistry and community resilience through the lens of automotive innovation.
More Links From Daily Chela
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