In chapter three, “The Versus of the Godfather” in the book Next of Kin: the Family in Chicano/a Culture Politics Richard Rodriguez discusses about the Chicana/o rap culture. Chicano rap or rap in general is a form of identity that helps in individuals express themselves throughout their lyrics. In Rodriguez’s book, he examines how Chicano and Latino rap addresses certain political and working class identity in the rap culture frame. He mentions how a popular culture forms such as rap can help “empowerment…within an everyday context” (Rodriguez, 96). Chicano and African American rap music share almost the same characteristics within their lyrics because they discusses about different aspects and narratives of their communities that they address throughout their music. However, Chicano rap is not as popular African American. On the contrast, Chicano Rap involves ties within family context as well through rap family narratives that impacts both black and Chicano culture. Rodriguez focuses on how the aspect of family is integrated into the art of rap kinship of gender and heterosexuality that are composed into the rap. It was interested to see how Rodriguez also discusses how Rap is an important aspect of the Chicano culture. Chicano rap incorporates historical and contemporary issues like the Chicano movements or current movements regarding the culture. Rodriguez mentions how “the evolution and dissemination of Chicano rap necessarily entails understanding the social phenomena that motivate and influence popular culture’s content and form” (Rodriguez, 104). Chicano rap or hip-hop culture demonstrate how the “power of the culture nationalism “ and the dominance of others towards “la Raza”. In the Chicano rap also focuses incorporates poetic aspect that about culture nationalism in the songs. On the contrary, Chicano rap revolve surrounds the aspect of family because of the struggles and unity “discourse to consistently involve it for the sake of political though and mobilization” (Rodriguez,133). Chicano hip-hop describes the content of family into their rap because Rodriguez empathizes the important of family kinship that is written and said in the music that involves Chicana/o family aspects. As a result, while reading Rodriguez’s text, I have thought a lot Chicano rap in present day, I come to think that Chicano rap is not heard as much as other hip-hops music. Do you think Chicana/o rap is not popular like other rap music because it involves a lot of the culture aspect or family kinship?

In Chapter three of Next of Kin, The Verse of the Godfather, Rodriguez elaborates on Chicano Rap and brings up various famous Chicano rappers like Kid Frost. Rodriguez mentions how Chicano Rap is very similar to events occurring in the Chicano Movements because it is a way in which various rappers got their voice herd against things they are passing through or rap about their oppression. Chicano Rap empowers many youth Chicanos. He makes the connection between I am Joaquin by Corky Gonzalez, and La Raza by Kid Frost. “Chicano Rap and Chicano movement poetry must be read as resistance narratives, especially given how both emerge from youth culture and social movement”(Pg. 113). The poem I am Joaquin served to empower several Chicanos, and help them embrace their identity in a time where many Mexican-Americans felt they didn’t, and felt lost. La Raza also got the attention of several Chicano youth making them feel like they belong somewhere. Corky Gonzalez in general was a great speaker during the Chicano Movement, which made him the “godfather” for many Chicanos, and so is Frost because of his promotion to La Raza. Both I am Joaquin and La Raza are based on masculinity and brotherhood, however, it does not mention whatsoever anything about female, or even a queer perspective. Chicano Rap was based on a more patriarchal aspect not being inclusive of gender, and sexuality. In conclusion, I was intrigued by the connection that Rodriguez made about I am Joaquin, and La Raza. It was no surprise to me when I read that Chicano Rap was not popular like other types of music. Like always the minority group was devalued, yet it is fascinating to see that while some might not see it as important it helps to empowers, and encourages many Chicanos youth.

The article “Decoding The Food And Drink On A Day Of The Dead Alter”, gives a brief history on the origins of this holiday. They begin by explaining that its rooted from the Aztecs who believed one should not grieve the lost of a loved one but rather celebrate their lives once a year when their spirits make their way back to earth. The article then explains that everything on an alter has meaning, such as sugar skulls who represent the vitality of life, and decorated tissue paper which is meant to represent the fragility of life. This article made me so hungry, I love Pan De Muerto so much! This article also made me really happy because i love the traditions of my culture, Dia De Los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays. For myself the holiday is special and important, one of my jobs is a sales associate at Pier one Imports and around this time we sell Dia de los Muertos decorations and it sometimes bothers me when i see people buying them for halloween decorations because its not meant for halloween and i find myself getting really defensive sometimes. Does anyone else feel that way? Like when i see the sugar skull costumes, used as halloween costumes i’m like really?  Every year my family and I make a beautiful Alter in our home. This is the first year that its going to be really special for me though, I lost my grandfather earlier this year and he was my best friend, so I’m really excited to be able to honor him this year for Dia De Los Muertos.