Lalo Alcaraz has long represented Latino culture through his daily comic strip, “La Cucaracha,” delivering satirical and thoughtful discourse on politics and current events. Born to Mexican parents from Sinaloa and Zacatecas, Lalo’s work emphasizes representation of immigrants, brown skin, and social justice. Since 1992, Lalo has used his art and passion to advocate for the community.
When Republican Pete Wilson was Governor of California, he was a heavy proponent of Prop 187, which barred undocumented immigrants from accessing public social services such as healthcare and education. When Disney donated to Pete Wilson’s campaign, but was also looking to profit from Latinos by dubbing their animations in Spanish, Lalo Alcaraz could not stay silent.
Migra Mouse & Muerto Mouse
Unafraid of controversy, Migra Mouse is a loud criticism of the billion-dollar corporation and its actions. When Disney tried to cross the line again in 2013 by attempting to copyright “Dia de los Muertos”, Lalo responded with “Muerto Mouse”. After Disney received heat for trying to own rights to an indigenous celebration practiced throughout Mexico, they withdrew their application from the patent office. So how did the creator of Migra Mouse come to be hired as a cultural consultant for the Disney movie, Coco?
Coco - Mexico's Representation in Film
When asked what “Coco” means for Mexican culture, Lalo responds,
“Art opens up your mind. Nothing opens up your mind like a kid’s movie that is universally loved. It’s really fighting the negativity against Mexico with love and emotion and beauty. That’s why I’m in this.”
Lalo says a large part of his inspiration comes from his parents. “Seeing my parents treated like trash made me hate the American establishment and question the righteousness of the USA”. Raised on the border between San Diego and Tijuana, Lalo dedicates his art toward reflecting his surroundings. A graduate of San Diego State University and the University of California, Berkeley, Lalo is now recognized as a prolific two-time Pulitzer-prize finalist for editorial cartooning, both times no winner was selected.
Lalo says a large part of his inspiration comes from his parents. “Seeing my parents treated like trash made me hate the American establishment and question the righteousness of the USA”. Raised on the border between San Diego and Tijuana, Lalo dedicates his art toward reflecting his surroundings. A graduate of San Diego State University and the University of California, Berkeley, Lalo is now recognized as a prolific two-time Pulitzer-prize finalist for editorial cartooning, both times no winner was selected.
Forza Horizon 5 (Set in Mexico)
Now, Lalo has just announced his collaboration on the Xbox racing game Forza Horizon 5, which is set in the diverse biomes of Mexico. Working as a writer and cultural consultant, Lalo again brings thoughtful representation to the table. The game is set to release November 5, 2021.
Today, Lalo gives lectures at Arizona State University’s School of Transborder Studies as the Artist in Residence. He also uses his platform to combat disinformation surrounding the Covid-19 Vaccine, specifically addressing concerns from the Latino community. Additionally, Lalo is the founder and “Jefe-in-Chief” of POCHO, a leading Latino satire website.
Abantu Audio was founded because of the lack of representation in education and media which omitted BIPOC history and culture. As a kid, Lalo’s comic “La Cucaracha” was the only thing I saw in the L.A. Times where I felt seen. As Día de los Muertos approaches, be sure to check out Coco and thank the trail-blazing artists who broke ceilings for cultural representation.
Andres R Gomez is a Xicano from L.A. County. Raised by immigrant parents from Mexico and El Salvador, Andres works to represent BIPOC stories in media and indigenize colonized spaces.