The Palacio Podcast
Gustavo Arellano Comforts the Afflicted and Afflicts the Comfortable
Gustavo Arellano “Comforts the Afflicted and Afflicts the Comfortable.” Arellano describes himself as “a Mexican with glasses con su pluma en su mano who writes pure DESMADRE about everything.” A writer, journalist, and editor, Gustavo Arellano is not afraid to use his pen to write sh*t about anything and anyone. His publisher, Simon & Schuster, asked Arellano to describe his life in eight words and, no surprise if you’ve read his work, “Incredibly lucky, purposefully antagonizing, surprisingly dull, wonderfully funny.” The purposefully antagonizing part is true to his writing image.
“Writing is always going to be antagonizing one way or another and you’re not a good writer unless you’re antagonizing someone somewhere.”
Photo provided by Gustavo Arellano
PalacioMagazine.com interviewed Gustavo Arellano by phone recently and we discussed topics ranging from the power of writing to his parents and to one of his favorite subjects, food.
Gustavo Arellano is very funny
For many years at the OC Weekly, Gustavo Arellano wrote a sizzling column called Ask a Mexican! where he slaughtered all sacred cows. He did not hesitate to poke fun at everyone including Latinos. Seriously, his column depicted the image of a caricatured Mexican with a sombrero and a big smile. Arellano left the weekly in a dispute with new owners and has hit the writing circuit including the Los Angeles Times. With all the celebrity status (my description, not his) afforded Arellano, you would think his life would be constantly exciting. Back to his eight words and surprisingly dull.
“Just this morning, I was pulling weeds from our garden because freaking crabgrass never stops.”
Wait a second, he didn’t hire someone to do that?
“Of course not. What do you think I am a white person?”
Seriously, Gustavo Arellano is not afraid to touch any subject but the one that he does not hesitate to tackle is that of his parents.
“They taught me that the way to live life is to work hard…My parents taught me that you gotta work.”
More on Gustavo Arellano
Visit his website, Gustavo Arellano Weekly, to subscribe to his newsletter. You can also check out Simon & Schuster for more on his books, Taco USA, Orange County, and Ask a Mexican. Follow @GustavoArellano on Twitter
