The Profe Podcast Newsletter

 We have lots to talk & share.

History: Carmelita Torres

Economics: Economics of Deportation

Education: Tips for effectively & efficiently reading articles

Culture: Food for thought

History

Historically, Mexican was defined as (but not limited to) anyone from Mexico, a Spanish speaker, an English speaker with a heavy “accent”, a dark complexion, “looks Mexican”, or a combination thereof. Further, the idea of Mexicans was synonymous with lazy, dirty, and unintelligent. ^However, while many did not want “Mexicans” as part of society, those same folks wanted “Mexicans” to work for society. Consequently, circa 1915s, the US government sanctioned fumigation against Mexicans that included Mexican Americans – American citizens of Mexican ancestry.

In 1917, on the Santa Fe Bridge situated between Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, USA, a strong, intelligent 17-year-old young woman rallied a protest of over 500 people against fumigation and violence, violation, and humiliation. *American news reports mocked the effort and said Mexicans were rioting against taking baths. Eventually, several Mexican/Mexican American men were publicly executed. Torres was arrested and never seen again. Fumigations and anti-Mexican policy continued at all levels of government.

The image is an artist's rendition because no known images exist, and newspapers only depict her as a red-headed Amazon. While Torres was not a soldier per se, her actions were no less than those of a warrior fighting the good fight. Thomas Paine once said, “You cannot kill an idea with an army” – very apropos then and today.

^Stern, A. M. (1999). Buildings, boundaries, and blood: Medicalization and nation-building on the US-Mexico border, 1910-1930. Hispanic American Historical Review, 79(1), 41-81.

*Romo, D. D. (2024). Borderlands and the Mexican American story. First edition. New York, Crown Books for Young Readers.

A credible study by the American Council on Immigration estimates that a one-time mass deportation operation targeting undocumented populations could cost at least $315 billion, as suggested by the current 2025 POTUS. This figure does not include long-term expenses, or the considerable resources required to remove over 13 million individuals, making the initiative's overall feasibility questionable.

 For a long-term mass deportation program aimed at arresting and deporting one million individuals annually, we estimate an average annual cost of approximately $88 billion. Assuming around 20 percent of the undocumented population may self-deport over time, this could lead to a total projected cost of about $967.9 billion over more than a decade.

Rather than 10 years of mass deportations, we could:

• Build over 40,450 new elementary schools in communities around the nation.

• Fund the Head Start program for nearly 79 years.

• Pay full tuition and expenses for over 4.3 million people to attend a private college for four years, or over 8.9 million people to attend an in-state public college for four years. 

• Buy a brand-new car for over 20.4 million people.

For the price of 1 year of mass deportations in the US:

• For the price of 1 year of mass deportations in the US, we could:

• Nearly twice the annual budget of the National Institutes of Health.

• Nearly four times the budget of NASA.

• Nearly three times as much as the federal government spends on child nutrition.

• More than the government gives out in the Child Tax Credit program.

• Eighteen times more than the entire world spends each year on cancer research.

As the college Spring Semester begins, here are quick tips to read 25-page articles in under 10 minutes:

 1. Authors/Scholars: Do a quick search on the authors to understand their research interests and get a general idea of the article’s focus.

 2. Title: Often reflects the key ideas of the article, offering insight into its content.

 3. Abstract: This essential section, usually about 250 words, includes:

   >Thesis: The main focus and its significance.

   >Research: A brief overview of the study's approach and purpose.

 4. Introduction: Restates the thesis with more detail, explaining the research's context within the existing literature.

 5. Conclusion: This summarizes key points and reiterates the thesis without introducing new information, helping you verify your understanding.

These steps will help you quickly grasp the essentials of academic articles! For a detailed walk-through, visit us here.

In 2013, The Atlantic published an article highlighting a significant shift in American culinary preferences: Mexican salsa had surpassed ketchup to become the nation’s top condiment. Sales of tortillas now outpace traditional hamburger and hotdog buns daily, sparking debates among nativists and critics.

 While ketchup remains a staple, the growing popularity of salsa reflects consumers' willingness to pay a premium for flavor and enjoyment. Mexican salsas are more than condiments; they celebrate the country’s culinary heritage, showcasing a diverse array of textures and flavors. Dating back to pre-Hispanic times, salsa has evolved with the introduction of ingredients like tomatoes and cilantro from the Spanish.

Each batch of salsa embodies centuries of tradition and transforms meals into extraordinary experiences. For more similar conversations, go here!

The Profe Podcast 

Interested in more in-depth conversations about Mexican / Mexican American culture and history, visit us here.

Community Outreach & Service

Here is a great way to find service opportunities for your classroom, company, or doing a good deed!  

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Missed an issue or like to revisit one, no problem. Here you go!