Mexico did become independent from Spain but the damaging legacy of Spanish colonialism still impacts Mexican culture today. Many indigenous people are discriminated against. Many of their original languages and cultural practices have been erased through violence.

This reminds me of the modern-day dynamic between Latin Americans and Spanish people. Some Spanish people still have negative attitudes towards Latin Americans. However, they gladly consume Latin American media such as TV and music.

I wonder what the author means by this.

Joaquín is describing culture shock. A lot of people get hostile when someone is confused by cultural differences. I like what he said about “sterilization of the soul and a full stomach”