Chimichanga?
This is a question that's been banging around in my head for a while, and I thought I'd tap LJ for an answer. As always.
More than once, I've heard it implied that the word "chimichanga" might have a negative connotation. Googling around, I only find reference to the delicious fried burrito that we all know and love. Is there something I'm missing?
I might be misinterpreting what I've heard, but here's a breakdown of the incidents that made me wonder. In Napoleon Dynamite, Summer asks the students if they want to eat chimichangas every day (implying that they will be if they vote for a Mexican student for class president). My mom, who is not the most racially sensitive person in the world, raised her eyebrows and commented that it was an offensive thing to say. Also, on a radio show I was listening to recently, a host made a joke that involved getting a chimichanga from a taco truck, and the other host asked "good, is everyone offended now?"
It could just be that joking about Mexicans eating Mexican food is offensive in general, but I always got the feeling there was something more behind it. Am I reading way too much into it?
More than once, I've heard it implied that the word "chimichanga" might have a negative connotation. Googling around, I only find reference to the delicious fried burrito that we all know and love. Is there something I'm missing?
I might be misinterpreting what I've heard, but here's a breakdown of the incidents that made me wonder. In Napoleon Dynamite, Summer asks the students if they want to eat chimichangas every day (implying that they will be if they vote for a Mexican student for class president). My mom, who is not the most racially sensitive person in the world, raised her eyebrows and commented that it was an offensive thing to say. Also, on a radio show I was listening to recently, a host made a joke that involved getting a chimichanga from a taco truck, and the other host asked "good, is everyone offended now?"
It could just be that joking about Mexicans eating Mexican food is offensive in general, but I always got the feeling there was something more behind it. Am I reading way too much into it?