What happens when survival turns into obedience?
In this episode of The Social Primate, host Eddie Aguirre sits down with award-winning journalist Michelle Zacarías to break down how generations of Latinos were taught to find safety through assimilation and how that belief still shapes our politics, identity, and silence today.
Michelle shares what she’s witnessed on the ground covering ICE raids, protests, and community resistance from Los Angeles to Chicago, reflecting on how people are organizing in the face of fear and reclaiming what safety really means.
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Show Notes:
00:50 Michelle's Journey into Journalism
03:19 Educational Background and Early Career
04:32 Challenges in Journalism and Community Reporting
05:40 Hyperlocal Reporting and Fellowship Experience
07:08 Chicago Raid and National Implications
13:23 Assimilation Politics and Latino Identity
21:21 Military Recruitment and Latino Community
28:52 Understanding Latino Trump Supporters
30:17 The Impact of Right-Wing Propaganda
30:38 Analyzing Poll Results and Voter Behavior
31:56 Challenges Facing the Democratic Party
33:01 The Role of Masculinity in Politics
34:34 Community and Mental Health
41:55 Latino Voter Demographics and Trends
44:06 The Importance of Local Community Action
45:36 Reflections on Activism and Journalism
52:10 Advice for Staying Engaged and Informed
