Que Pasa USA aired on PBS in 1977. For those of you not familiar with the show, it centers around a Cuban immigrant family, learning how to adjust to life in “el exilio” and is completely in Spanglish. They are the ambassadors of Miami’s native language and really, the how-to guide to life in Miami as a Cuban-American for over 30 years. I always say that this show is my family, on screen. I even wrote my college entrance exam for UCF comparing my family to theirs. As a modern day Carmencita – the baby of the family (on my mother’s side) here are 5 examples of how this show is still relatable after all these years. And yes, this will be in Spaniglish. It’s only fair, after all.
1. There is always one nosey neighbor who will come by your house when ANYTHING is going on. Bonus if she is always trying to upstage you too. There is nothing like a chismosa and un bofe all rolled into one.
2. Menos el cura, this is still what the average cuban american house looks like. Well, the Cuban American family with immigrant parents. Your cuban parents still think some of the clothes you wear is “picuo” even though its totally “coolisima” and living in their house is like jail y la tienen cogida contigo.
3. The old school double standard: boys can fool around, girls must be saints. And you always have that one slutty friend who wanted to bang everything that walks. It may be addressed in a very PG13 fashion but the reality of sex and teen pregnancy is very much seen today as it was back then. Ask any cuban abuelo and you will always be told that “la culpa la tiene este pais”.
4. The struggle of the first generation americans and their cuban parents/grandparents who don’t speak english is very real. Anyone who was around one relative who didn’t speak english has to deal with the constant “Eh?” after every word they say in english OR when they butcher a word in spanish. “Pero chico, hay que ponerse tan feo para hablar en ingles?”
5. Exiled Cubans never expected to be here forever. The reign of tyranny in Cuba was supposed to end sooner rather than later. Months turned into years, years turned into to decades. We’ve established first, second, and third generation Cuban Americans who don’t have the same tie to their roots as the older family members do. But find any old school Cuban – the ones that came here with the promise of going home one day and they will have that one little memento which they are holding on to for the day in which Cuba will finally be free.
I have seen many, many lists about growing up in Miami or living in Miami such as this one & this one. I find that most of them deal with the same stereotypes. Yes, it’s hot here. Yes, we have a lot of cuban food. Yes, driving here is the worst. Oh yeah, and at some point we may have seen a chicken (or 5) crossing the road. But there is more to this place – so much more. So here is my own guide, based on 28 years of experience living (on and off) in Miami. Consider this the 20something’s ride down memory lane to life in Miami. And no, it’s not South Florida. Only people in Broward and Palm Beach will claim they’re from South Florida. Here in Dade – we are always from Miami.
YOU KNOW YOU’RE (20-SOMETHING AND) FROM MIAMI IF…
1. You knew at least one person who sold counterfeit bags out of the trunk of their car. You also knew a lot of people who showed up to school/work with a new $500+ bag every week while earning minimum wage.
2. You spent most weekends in your roller blades (or quads) skating in 2 specific locations: Thunder Wheels & Hot Wheels. Bonus points if you spent your time dancing to booty music in the middle stage located inside the rink, too.
3. You bought many, many back to school outfits at the following locations:
4. You remember seeing this billboard while driving into Miami Beach.
5. You remember that the first time people came out banging pots and pans on the street was when this happened.
6. One of the first times you protested was for Elian. “Elian, Mi Amigo, Miami esta contigo!”
7. You can play 6 degrees of separation with one of the following people:
8. You’ve driven from wherever you are to go to Casola’s to have a slice of pizza at 2:00 AM
9. The voices of Cox on the Radio, Kenny and Footy, and Mindy and Bo were constantly in your ears at some point during your life.
10. You know what come after this: “What’s up, y’all, so what’s it gonna be? Now, who’s on the line with your homey Al B.?” and you practiced for hours to spit your 3 second rhyme on 99 Jamz perfectly so you wouldn’t be called a “doh-doh head”.
11. You saw the lady who did the commercials for Waterbed City & City Furniture more than some of your relatives because she on your TV every 5 seconds.
12. You don’t pledge to public television but will always tune in to a “Que Pasa USA” marathon.
13. You took your 15s pictures at The Biltmore, Vizcaya or the Spanish Monestary. Your mother probably has a 24×36 framed photo still hanging in your house.
14. You remember when Ultra started, when it was on the beach, and only for one day.
15. You’ve met Pitbull in one of the following locations: Dolphin Mall, Santa’s Enchanted Forest or Muvico in Hialeah and he still looked like this. Extra points if you’ve taken a photo like the one below.
There you have it – 15 things that have nothing to do with animals, weather, spanglish, flip flops or crappy drivers. Feel free to comment below and add to this list!
Que Pasa USA aired on PBS in 1977. For those of you not familiar with the show, it centers around a Cuban immigrant family, learning how to adjust to life in “el exilio” and is completely in Spanglish. They are the ambassadors of Miami’s native language and really, the how-to guide to life in Miami as a Cuban-American for over 30 years. I always say that this show is my family, on screen. I even wrote my college entrance exam for UCF comparing my family to theirs. As a modern day Carmencita – the baby of the family (on my mother’s side) here are 5 examples of how this show is still relatable after all these years. And yes, this will be in Spaniglish. It’s only fair, after all.
The Pre Esquire Life 