Other than Latinos, do others share the cultural habit of giving nick names based on a physical or mental flaw? Chueco (if you limp), Coco (someone with a big goiter), Gordo (heavy), Flaca (skinny or heavy), etc.

I was pretty heavy (fat) as a kid and I started hearing that nick name coming at me a couple of times. That’s when I took it upon myself to bestow my own selection of a nick name upon myself. Cisco,

To this day, I’m still Cisco to all my relatives. I like the ring that Tio Cisco has had. It confuses people when I’m in Mexico and introduced as Cisco because a while later my name pops up as Jose, Pepe or even Joe. I used to tell people about the Cisco Kid show but that was an American show about 2 Mexican guys in the American West- people in Mexico had no idea what the hell it was about (that tocayo thing I guess).

The other nickname my mother used to also call me was Pepe.

What are your nick names?

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/23/are-the-candidates-reaching-hispanic-americans/

The article is about what matters to Latino/Hispanic American voters, Are the candidates reaching them, etc? Juan does a great job of breaking down some of the issues and dispelling some misconceptions as well.

My thoughts are that our values are about family and our future. The economy worries us (especially this week and last week), the war worries us and immigration bothers us but he’s right, immigration is not necessarily at the top.

The important thing is for Latinos to make an informed choice, exercise our right as citizens, lest our voting rights be outsourced to India (just kidding about that last one).

Freedom is not cheap or free… the sacrifices made weren’t only by those serving overseas but also by those striving for basic equal freedoms here. Many Latinos (as well as Blacks, Native Americans and other groups) have been denied and have fought for those rights which include equality and dignity. It doesn’t matter what your socio-economic standing is at this point in your life, it’s about the future and your family’s future.

So, for Latnos in urban concentrations, rural areas, borderlands, reservations and so on, here’s a chance to continue to exercise and honor our rights. Don’t let assumptions be made for you. Don’t let political parties treat you like day laborers who are only needed when something specific has to be done- plant a tree, dig a hole, elect a politician, etc.

Sometimes the powers that be think they have to pull us away from napping against a saguaro. Personally, I can’t recall ever having napped against one. I’m not sure I’d tell anyone to try it though.

Wake up! Despierta!

Be informed and vote…que más esperas?