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POCHO MAGAZINE: Hola, Dinky, Somos de Pocho Magazine. Te queremos entrevistar. Como estás hoy?

DINKY: Fine, thanks.

Now a first on LATINO USA. An interview with Dinky the Chihuahua, courtesy of satirists Lalo López and Esteban Zul.

POCHO MAGAZINE: You speak English.

DINKY: ¡Simón! I can bark in two languages. I get more work that way. I just wrapped up a telenovela in Mexico. Have you heard about it? Dos Mujeres y un Chihuahua?

POCHO MAGAZINE: Oh, so you must be aware of the big controversy surrounding your commercials and the image you portray.

DINKY: Well, being an immigrant, I’m used to criticism.

POCHO MAGAZINE: Jay Leno said you were found in the pound. So either way, you’d wind up at Taco Bell.

DINKY: No, that’s not really true. I was waiting for work on the dog laborer corner outside the local pet shop. Gringos from Hollywood always drive by there and try to hire us for their commercials and TV shows. Then they pay us under the table.

POCHO MAGAZINE: Really? What do you get paid?

DINKY: Scraps, bare bones, and all the chili-cheese burritos I can eat.

POCHO MAGAZINE: So you’re saying Taco Bell knowingly hired an illegal immigrant?

DINKY: ¡Claro! Hollywood would grind to a halt without immigrants. You wouldn’t be able to get a lawn watered, or a car chased. Who would watch your kids? Or lick your dishes clean? I may not have my tags, but I work my tail off-unlike American dogs. But my situation is not unique. I’m undocumented, like most of your onscreen animal talent.

POCHO MAGAZINE: Really?

DINKY: Yes, Lassie was really from Scotland. But you never hear how Scottish immigrants are taking away jobs or anything. But when it comes to Chihuahuas …

POCHO MAGAZINE: I see what you mean.

DINKY: Also, Lassie was a dude. Did you know that? I found out way too late. And the president’s dog, Buddy? He’s Raza too. His real name is Compadre. You want a scandal? A perro mojado on the White House staff! Can you believe it?

POCHO MAGAZINE: A LULAC chapter in Florida is upset about these commercials, and they say they’re racist and disparage the Mexican culture.

DINKY: Have you even seen the commercials? I said, "Yo quiero Taco Bell." Not "Yo quiero Mexican food." Come on, bro, when’s the last time you said, "Boy, I feel like having an authentic bacon-cheeseburger burrito, or one of those big beef Mexi-melts, just like my abuelita used to make in Sonora?"

POCHO MAGAZINE: OK, OK. OK. But isn’t your presence in these commercials insulting to Latinos?

DINKY: Can I interest you in a cheese quesadilla?

POCHO MAGAZINE: OK already!

DINKY: Grrrr.

POCHO MAGAZINE: Hey, let go of my pants!

DINKY: Grrr.

POCHO MAGAZINE: Hey, you little dog. Hold on now.

DINKY: Look, I don’t have time for this. I’m a spokes-dog. I’ve got a paying gig. I gotta’ send money back to support my litter.

POCHO MAGAZINE: You have a family in Mexico?

DINKY: In Chihuahua.

POCHO MAGAZINE: A big family?

DINKY: They’re Chihuahuas!

OFFSTAGE: OK, We’re ready. Mr. Dinky, they’re ready for you.

DINKY: Sabes que, amigo? They’re ready for me on the set.

OFFSTAGE: Mr. Dinky…

DINKY: OK, I’m coming. Hey, yo quiero civil rights! Yo quiero civil rights!

Lalo López and Esteban Zul are satirists and film-makers. They publish POCHO, the magazine of Chicano humor, in East Los Angeles. They invite your comments.

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We’ve developed these suggestions with the help of students and teachers, along with our reporters. We’re even more interested in learning how you use the piece. Click here to share your ideas.

After exploring initial reactions to the story, here are some ideas for further use.

The interview with Dinky encompasses many issues. After listening to and/or reading the piece, identify and discuss these issues, which may include some of the following:

Satire
Bilingualism
Immigration and attitudes toward immigrants
Labor, exploitation, and working status
Remittances
Civil rights

Discuss the use of humor. Did you find this piece funny, and if so, why? Why might some people find Dinky amusing in this interview, but offensive in TV commercials? Does the fact that this satire is delivered by two Latinos make it more appropriate?

What do López and Zul accomplish in this satire? Are they simply making fun of the issues, or are they making criticisms with a lighter approach? Why might such an approach be effective?

Choose another topic and write a satirical essay of your own, using humor to treat a serious subject.

Send feedback on this page to: Dean Graber, Education Coordinator