What is the story here, yo? POCHO is where cool U.S. Latinos just like you get their daily fix of ñews y satire. We find, dissect and poke fun at current events, celebrity, lifestyle and everything in between, behind and over there next to the bookcase.
What’s our take on the word “Pocho?”
Historically, a Pocho is an American of Mexican descent, considered by Mexicans to not be “Mexican” enough and by non-Mexicans of not being fully “American” – a citizen of two worlds but not really of either. At POCHO, we don’t play that. We are re-imagining the word. We consider any Latino a POCHO if he belongs in BOTH worlds and wears BOTH identities proudly. You too, esteemed Latina ladies!
But I am a gabacho…what do I do? Hey, we aren’t haters ♥. If you aren’t Latino, we love you anyway. A POCHO can be a Latino-wannabe, Latino-adjacent, a Latino lover or just someone who is always mistaken for Latino (come on, Middle Easterners, own it.)
Why are you doing this? Because we want to provide you an antidote to the mainstream media’s attempts at pandering to your hot Latino ancestry. Let US pander!
I am funny, I write funny and I know how to find funny stuff. Can I help? If you are a bad-ass, subversive and funny content creator (writer, filmmaker, cartoonist, contortionist) and you get POCHO, WE WANT YOUR STUFF. We are a bit short on $$ at the moment, but to start, you’ll have a great opportunity to show your skills and reach our audience. Best of all, you get to be a part of this dangerously twisted chingadera called POCHO. To submit, start here.
Who are you?
We’re a few honest, hardworking, law-abiding homies with different backgrounds, just tryin’ to riff on the funny, messed-up shiznit out there. Oh, and our main dude founded POCHO MAGAZINE back in the last century. This guy >>>
Jefe-in-Chief Lalo Alcaraz is probably the most prolific Chicano artist in the nation, according to this bio. This award-winning joker has spent two decades chronicling the political ascendancy of Latinos in America and pushing the boundaries of Chicano art. He is the creator of the first nationally-syndicated, politically-themed Latino daily comic strip, “La Cucaracha,” he co-founded the political comedy troupe Chicano Secret Service and he co-hosts the infamous “Pocho Hour of Power” on KPFK in Los Angeles (90.7 FM).
◉ Lalo’s website.
Jefe de Content Dennis Wilen is a reformed journalist and veteran radio and records executive, music producer, webmaster and web editor with credits that include Rolling Stone, LACMA, The L.A. Jewish Journal, the Milken Family Foundation, Brentwood Patch, Yahoo! Geocities, Harry Shearer, and Spinal Tap. He is left-handed, near-sighted, high-minded and typically inhabits at least four of the eleven dimensions of our corner of the multiverse. He comes in peace for all online, edits everything you see here and writes for POCHO under the font name Comic Saenz.
◉ Dennis’ website.
Associate Naranjero Gustavo Arellano used to be editor of “OC Weekly” and author of the syndicated column “¡Ask a Mexican!” He also wrote the book “Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America,” was a consulting producer on FOX’s “Bordertown.” Now he writes for the “Los Angeles Times.” ¡Orale!
Pocho Ñews Service
Elise Valderrama
Co-Conspirator-at-Large
Nueva York, Florida, y Califas tambien
Subcommandanta del Ñews Sara Inés Calderón is a Latina journalist and bloguera suprema, former editor of NewsTaco.com and now the editor of Más Wired, a website and non-profit highlighting Latinos working in tech and the media. She loves chismes, is obsessed with news and social media, and is a great lover of dangly earrings. She’s a pocha to the core, barely able to sustain a conversation without switching between English, Spanish and Spanglish. She’s also Southwest bicoastal (that’s Texas and California) and generally lives life in-between languages and cultures. Oh, and she’s a major frijol connoisseur.
Email Sara
Migrant Editor Emeritus (and former Daily Show Senior Latino Correspondent) Al Madrigal is real pocho’s pocho. He has been named Best Stand-Up Comedian by the HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. His comedy has been called “dynamic” by The New York Times. His unique, spontaneous and fast-paced lyrical storytelling style has made him a regular on television with numerous appearances on Comedy Central. He has also appeared with Conan O’Brien (as one of the first 20 guests during his stint as host of “The Tonight Show,” and on “Conan” on TBS) as well as multiple appearances on “Lopez Tonight,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Al also has his share of acting credits with some very famous actors. However, so few people watched those shows they were all cancelled within a year or two.
Nancy Arteaga aka La Chata
Music Editor
Los Angeles
Beto Mesta aka Eres Nerd
Burro Jefe
Texas
Celina Martinez aka Tia Lencha
Food and Gwine Editor
Los Angeles
Junco Canché
Chicano Punk Rock Artesano and Special Artistic Assistant to Lalo Alcaraz
Califas
Question mark icon courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
