Alan Lechusza

San Diego

Cultural aesthetic, critical philosopher, author/professor, and active sound installation artist. The opinions posted are mine.

Articles

Rez Ball, Political Style

1 day ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

Rez ball may not be known to most, but in Indian Country, this is one of the choice sports. Anyone can play, just be ready for the unexpected, a lot of bruises after, and plenty of fun, when played properly. Rez Ball, Definition: 1. The transposition of American basketball in the urban or rural Indian environment with the intent to place a basketball through some manner of a basket through the process of trying not to die. 2.
“What Do You Mean There’s No More Money?” Politics and Native Art

3 days ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

I went to work as usual on the duties for the day. I was treated with a message that stunned me. A newsletter update from the Native Arts and Culture Foundation (NACF) responded to the cessation of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The words gripped me through a shocking double read as I tried to come to a level of reconciliation on the news. It All Starts HereThe opening paragraph was enough to put my mind in a spin.
“Gimme! Now!”: Talking Global Finances

4 days ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

All in all, the American populists have only started to feel the brunt of the president’s executive orders. This reality is often replaced by other fears stemming from the government. If the full force of the tariffs had already been further along, the changes would be quite apparent. It may be that, due to these delays, the two issues discussed below would not have been possible.
“Does It Get Any Better?” Political Slop

5 days ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

The sun rises early around here, really early. When I first woke from my previous dozy mind, I looked to see what had taken place in the world from the night before. What manner of work has been done to get the boys back on track? News sources were expelling their normal biases. The physical news sources are getting much lower on relevant socio-political content. Where does one go when the walls of research appear to be slowly closing in?
“Will You Stop Already!” When Politics Eschews Progression

6 days ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

The proponderance of backstepping viewed today challenges one to see if they are moving forward, standing still, or walking backward. The concept of linear time is to move in a forward trajectory. Physically speaking, this action is consistent unless acted on by an external force. Reviewing the news from today, the interrupting force is internal, making an implosion in the socio-political and economic reality. Added to this, disturbances are witnessed in multiple fashions.
“Taking The 14th,” Pope Leo XIV, A Legacy Begins

6 days ago | patheos.com | Alan Lechusza

My work in this area normally centers around pop culture criticism through a faith-based/Christian lens. Music, in particular Christian Hip Hop, is the area I explore to build a corpus of critical work and serve the large Christian and theomusicological audiences. The timing of the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, marks a time when I wanted to set aside the regular Christian Hip Hop discourse and pop culture analysis to give respect to the new pontiff.
Imagining Change, Rejecting Reality: Living Socio-Religious Amid Political Demise

1 week ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

Getting ready to settle in and start the research for the day, the silent news continued to flash similar images with no subtext. What had happened? Staring at the silent arbiter of information, my mind was twitching to figure out the puzzle with no pieces. Nothing came to light; I continued along the choreographed duties of the day. When I was finally able to survey the news, clarity began to settle. Amazement brought wonder. Curiosity brought questions. A sense of change brought fear and rejection.
“You Think You’ve Got Problems,” Living In A Time Of Uncertainty

1 week ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

While millions around the world have their sights on the Vatican for news on the next Pope, the American socio-political cultural landscape continues to slowly deteriorate. Trivial news is swept under the rug to make way for other glamorous, sensational, and advertisement-friendly news, the kind readers want to waste time reading. This reductive action by the mainstream media does not lessen the importance of the growing pulp fiction pop culture identity in America.
“Un-Taco Tuesday”: Contextualizing Cinco de Mayo In An Autocratic America, Part 2

1 week ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

This is the second in the series, “Un-Taco Tuesday”: Contextualizing Cinco de Mayo In An Autocratic America. The first part outlined the history and stereotype of Cinco de Mayo. This portion will continue to explore the critical discourse summarized in part 1. A continuation of expanding MAGA Maoist ideology will be explored as it is articulated in multiple contexts in the current administration.
“Un-Taco Tuesday”: Contextualizing Cinco de Mayo In An Autocratic America, Part 1

1 week ago | medium.com | Alan Lechusza

Not to overlook the importance of Cinco de Mayo, I provide a tribute, what I’m calling “Un-Taco Tuesday,” Remembering the truth of Cinco de Mayo. After studying the recent immigration news, which came out on May 5 (aka Cinco de Mayo), it became clear that some sort of analysis needed to be compiled. Based on the information gathered for this article, it’ll become clear why this term, “Un-Taco Tuesday,” is fitting. A brief history of the cause that framed May 5.