Latino USA

Ever wanted to go cruising on a lowrider? What about one that was made by ladies? We take you for a ride with San Diego’s Unique Ladies. We also talk about the changes that are taking place in the Obama administration, via Victor Landa from News Taco. And hear about a gay marriage bill that will possibly be on Oregon’s ballot next year. Check out the sounds of making classic guayaberas straight from a guayabera maker that’s modernizing this iconic shirt.

The inaugural poet is a Latino for the first time! But are Latino issues really going to be front and center for the new administration? We talk to Univision News political editor Jordan Fabian about what the future holds. Then we go to Illinois, where the governor is expected to sign a state law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses—and making Illinois the fourth state to do this. And we give you a dose of reality—as we watch the first episode of MTV’s new reality show, “Washington Heights”—with Washington Heights residents.

How will the influence of the Latino vote extend past elections? What other issues will Latinos influence besides immigration? We speak to Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino and Jennifer Korn of Hispanic Leadership Network to find out more. Remember our piece about abuse inside Willacy detention center? We have an update. And then we take you to Haiti and we hear from a young immigrant deported to Haiti and finding his new life as a musician. 

This week we take you back to Cuba and share some stories we’ve aired in the past about the experiences of two of Cuba’s minorities: Afro-Cubans and gays. We start in Havana and take a look about how racism affects black Cubans and then hear from two Cuban lesbians talk about their life out of the closet on the island. Then we share the sounds of hip-hop as told through Telmary Diaz, a musician that focuses on her experience as a Cuban woman.

Meet the extravagant El Vez, the Mexican Elvis, and learn about the man behind the mustache as we take you to his Merry Mexmas show. And speaking of music—Alt. Latino’s Felix Contreras stops by to drop his favorite tracks and wax poetic about tunes with us. Then, to keep you in the festive mood, we take you to two holiday celebrations in El Barrio: a Mexican American posada and a Nuyorican Coquito tasting contest. Feliz Navidad!