Actor Michael Peña discusses the racism he faced while growing up in Chicago

[@ecocentrik]

Michael has been in so many great movies and shows over the years. The characters he plays are always memorable even when they're smaller roles in big blockbusters. He's a real talent. I'm glad the words and actions of small minded people haven't stopped you from achieving what you have. 97 movies and shows... Adelante!

[@markuse3472]

I like him, but he still hasn't risen as many, many White and Black actors. That is the massive bias and prejudice against the Spanish/Latino name many from all races have for Latinos but specially towards Mexicans and some Central Americans. Michael should have been a huge star by now.

[@rcreative1]

In the SF Bay Area, we are very diverse (except that our Black population is just 6%, which is half of the national number). I have great love and respect for my Latino and Asian neighbors, coworkers, etc. Every May 5 and September 15, Mexican flags are everywhere, and I am in full support of their pride. It is very American. My Polish and German ancestors did the same thing 100 years ago. You'd have to ask a local Latino to be sure, but my impression is that Latinos and Asians are as much part of the furniture around here as whites. Selfishly, I love the fact that I can get excellent Mexican food, dim sum and sushi near any major intersection.

[@cynthiamarie2107]

I just love Michael Pena's work. He's great at what he does and he seems like an all around good guy.

[@omarrsolis3989]

My dad was Mexican, so I'm only half but I love my heritage. My other half is native American. Growing up in was stuck in the middle. The natives called me names and the Latinos didn't accept me. Now I just live for my kids I don't care what people say to me....

[@CG-xx2er]

What is crazy is that we’re both related but because of history and the way we were taught to separate ourselves from others is what makes people act like that. We create this distinction even though we come from the same people.

[@rinar1651]

I grew up in the south suburbs in the 90’s and early 2000 I did not grow up around Hispanics. It was definitely a struggle to learn about my Mexican culture. The schools never recognized Hispanic heritage month, I even had a black teacher tell me there was no such thing when I knew there was because one of our neighboring high school celebrated it. Now that I’m older and learned more I definitely show my children.

[@geodude210]

“I always feel in the middle I’m not Latin enough and not American enough “ is exactly how I feel

[@nowtheworld138]

That’s a struggle I face every day. I always say I’m American Mexican and the looks I get is heartbreaking. I was born here and raised here so I’m American. But I am proud of my Mexican roots it just sucks being stuck in the middle of

[@oacardamianrodriguez5106]

Bull, el mexicano nace donde le da su regalada gana my friend

[@alexb4874]

If you feel in the middle then what are you doing about it? People who say "Mexicans don't like me" are separating themselves from being medicaciones on their own. I was born and raised here in America but both of my parents are Mexican and I've never felt like I don't belong in México but I have felt that way many times here amongst Chicanos who snubbed me for speaking Spanish to them. "I don't speak Spanish!" In the rudest tone possible. I doubt you have really tried immersing yourself in the culture and what I mean by that is by really being amongst gente. Not other Chicanos who don't know Squat about their heritage or ancestors.

[@highlymysteriousplayer9694]

@@alexb4874 LOL who wants to be mexican ? im from mexico and i dont wanna be mexican anymore if you and your parents love mexico so much then come back here LOL "gente" "medicaciones" stop speaking spanglish and stupid things like that

[@jorgiebutt]

As a first generation American born Latino, my way to honor my heritage is by speaking Spanish better than how my parent learned it in their native country. It’s the first gift of knowledge they bestowed upon me, which I hope I am doing them proud every time I speak with them.

[@AgrianRamos]

FELICIDADES… Esto es lo que siempre he cuestionado de los latinos en EUA que no les enseñaron español; entiendo que no les enseñaron de niños pero de adultos ya es una decisión consciente de no aprenderlo, y es cuando cuestiono ya que conozco gente no latina que aprenden de adultos y se meten en nuestras culturas en forma de apreciación. En el caso de los Mexico-Americanos cuando vienen a Mexico nos ven sobre los hombros y nos dicen que son americanos y se la pasan comparando a EUA por eso existe ese rechazo, no es solo proque si. Y regreso a mi pregunta “¿porque si te dices Mexicano no decidiste aprender español? Cuando hay gringos que lo aprenden?

[@artmusic2]

Mr. Leguizamo, you are marvelous to bring us all these perspectives. BRAVO! 💛💙(KZbin is made better here too). Thank you.

[@sircasm6578]

Bahaha 😂

[@kelperdude]

His show must be doing very poorly. They have him on all the time here.

[@neatofication]

Who dressed John thinking he was gonna fit in with these Mexican Americans?! 😂😅 pobresito. He looks cute tho. Hehe he always does ❤

[@blackshatemyplaylist8643]

😂

[@thee_calamity]

Drop the stupid “Latinx” crap. That’s THEIR word. Not ours!

[@ARMYEEUU]

Its benny blanco from the bronx 🗽

[@caddyb1519]

It’s so sad some people just hate anything that’s different to them. Culture is a beautiful thing to me, but somehow its seen to some as a threat or something to destroy.

[@erolegario]

Try having an immigrant catholic father from Europe and a mother from Mexico and then having to grow-up in a middle class Anglo-protestant neighborhood. It was like existing in-between 3 completely different cultures. It was insane, confusing, and super racist but it was still a rewarding upbringing.

[@checuevas93]

I guess it didn’t matter if you grew up in the ghetto or in a middle class neighborhood, we all struggled. I feel your pain brother, just keep doing what you doing to honor your parents and show them that their sacrifices paid off. Also have pride of your culture, either from Europe or Mexican.

[@mike_k_smith1257]

Tear them down for being different then blame them because they're different when they stand up. Doubling down at it's worst.

[@rodmarin3323]

Much love and props to the both of you for promoting a positive influence in our culture.

[@martindworak]

No question, Peña is one of my three best actors, old is (#1)John Wayne, current is Matt Damon(#2), (#3) is definitely Michael Peña, why? I just never seen a movie with him I didn’t like, it’s just that simple. He makes everything he is in better, I can’t think of one bad movie he was in, and he wasn’t a standup comedian like so many actors, he just made it on his own acting skills the old fashioned way, you gotta appreciate that.

[@t.h.8475]

My daughters best friend growing up was born in Texas but his parents were born in Mexico. She told me how people were very racist to him all through their childhood. We live in Indiana.

[@t.r.campbell6585]

Try walking around as a Caucasian in some of the predominantly black strongholds in Chicago. Try walking around the southside of Chicago as a Caucasian. You will see the worst racism ever.

[@t.h.8475]

@@t.r.campbell6585 I'm sure it is unpleasant but I don't think we're in a competition.

[@blackshatemyplaylist8643]

@@together373you’ve never been around in a predominantly black area where they hate you for NOT being once of them

[@blackshatemyplaylist8643]

@@t.h.8475it’s worse . Blacks hate anyone who does not have nappy hair & black skinned

[@JulianGonzalez1974]

In LA,, the black people didnt like the asians and mexicans. The asians dont like the black people or mexicans. The mexicans dont like the black people or asians. Just get on with your life. Be successful no matter who doesnt llike you. I lived in bad mexican neighborhood called La Puente. My brother and I didnt join the gangs...my cousin across the street did. He killed 2 other gang members and went to prison for 20 years. Ive been out of there for years and live in a great place in CO. My wife and I are successful and still going after it. The haters can keep hating while youre hustling. Always associate with people who are more successful than you. Go find those people.

[@AJxxxxxxxx]

I can’t speak Spanish yet I grew up in LA with brown skin, so you could imagine how much I was rejected by my own people

[@AJxxxxxxxx]

@@benitojuarez999 Yea I honestly tried but it’s so much harder to learn when your older with no time on your hand, and as a kid no one ever taught me and everyone around me spoke English so as kid I didn’t really see the value in speaking Spanish

[@AJxxxxxxxx]

@@benitojuarez999 😂 I was a kid

[@__-fl3yt]

It is because of ignorance. I have 4 kids 2 are brown skin and two are whites. Mexicans they are less offended with my white kids than my Brown ones for no speaking. I think is stupid.

[@joycewills895]

Shame not more have watched this

[@Booklook111]

Agree with you that there ought to be more views, but maybe we should give it time and adjust our expectations accordingly.

[@Xxxxxrrr6464]

This hit me right in my Latino

[@riro1177]

Most Mexicans are part Native Americans by blood, therefore we are Americans whether you’re born in the US or Mexico because we are from this continent going back thousands of years. The narrative imposed on us that we don’t belong is inaccurate. If anyone belongs it’s us, the native or mestizo. Stop playing into these false narratives.

[@vanessad5]

🙌🏽

[@daddygrace253]

Como afropuertorriqueño, admiro a Michael Peña y John Leguizamo. Desafortunadamente, algunos hispanos se refieren a ser de un país de habla hispana en México, Cuba, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico y Centro y Sudamérica como una raza de personas. Los hispanos o latinos no son una raza sino una etnia. Los hispanohablantes de estos países pueden ser de cualquier raza. Cuando miras las Telenovelas de las cadenas de televisión españolas en Estados Unidos, todos los actores hispanos son blancos y en ocasiones tienen cabello rubio y ojos azules. Hay mucho racismo en la cultura de habla hispana con el colorismo, la textura del cabello y los rasgos faciales.

[@bernie-be]

We love everyone !! Mexicans or Mexican American !! We don’t like when some ppl are disrespectful to our culture and think we just let it go ! Is not like that ! Sorry but we don’t need that kind of negativity for my ppl !!

[@beautiful80sladies22]

Other side of the story...we were one the few white families that stayed in the hood...made some great friendships but chingado did I have to fight in elementary school

[@markuse3472]

I like him, but he still hasn't risen as many, many White and Black actors. That is the massive bias and prejudice against the Spanish/Latino name many from all races have for Latinos but specially towards Mexicans and some Central Americans. Michael should have been a huge star by now.

[@terrilyndel]

I love Peña and Leguizamo, thank you for sharing this, wow.

[@franko312]

Respect for two awesome actors! This is so on cue. Having had a similar experience, I can understand the being in the middle of two cultures feeling, “ni de aquí o allá”. I think for most Mexican-Americans like myself in a city like Chicago, we have become a fusion of both worlds. A whole new culture that we are continuously making as we navigate through a melting pot of a country with so many different nationalities and cultures.

[@Elperico1276]

Lol na na Mexican are Americans any one from the continent Americano es Americano....

[@oacardamianrodriguez5106]

Not in the middle. El mexicano nace donde le da su regalada gana

[@CrisCrossPhx]

I am Latino and Hispanic. I am a 2nd generation American. I have one grandmother from Mexico and my great grandparents are from Basque Country, Spain. My parents are from the southwest, Texas and Arizona. My parents immersed us in our culture and taught us to be proud of our ancestry. My dad was a mariachi and my sisters danced flamenco and ballet folclórico. I was born in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) and I have never felt discriminated against or experienced “racism”. And if I was the “victim” of racism I never chose to acknowledge it or let it affect me. I went to college and got two degrees (molecular biology and biochemistry). My dad always taught us not to use race as a crutch or to play the victim. Instead, he taught us to use our race as a springboard to get to where we wanted to be in life. Im not saying that racism doesn’t exist, most true racists that I’ve encountered are people of color (brown, black, etc.). I guess it’s all about perspective and how you choose to look at it.

[@OurPerez]

❤️❤️❤️

[@pistola-lv7up]

Love this interview

[@frederico1579]

Se for a comparar cinema com futebol Michael Penã pode não ser o melhor marcador mas é concerteza aquele com mais assistências !gooool

[@dbeard451]

Trump thinks "racisim" involves fast cars.

[@LakePlay]

Joey thinks it’s Memorial Day

[@1983jcheat]

I completely understand. Growing up in South Jersey in the 90s we were the only Puerto Ricans in the area.

[@fernandobrahms6629]

Here's a tip, If you have mexican heritage, you'll face 3 choices, one, you can embraced with proud (a lot of it) since the begining, two, if you're not interesting on it not even try to get near (not a problem, you'll be fine), if you don't know it because you where born in the US or wherever (where is not an issue, as the saying said "mexicans are born wherever they want") you MUST show geniune curiosity to the culture if you aproach to it, because if you proceed hesitation or doubt you'll be rejected or worse, the reason is, mexicans love to share their culture, but have no tolerance (very thin skin) when they feel it got rejected and it's worse if it came from someone who they sense it's an equal.

[@irick00]

Where is the full video not just clips

[@goregrindgeek1872]

Maaaaaan. John Leguizamo is my heroooo. Maaan. Used to make me laugh so much as a kid. On the culture thing, if yall feel like you ever been caught in the middle, im hispanic, black, German and Arab. I feel like I belong NOWHERE LOL. From what I've seen, Hispanics in America choose to consciously rep their culture, regardless or not they're from the mother land. Cheers.

[@theoneandonly24]

Greatness can come from anywhere

[@Thedifference727]

Nice to see dude’s humble. No matter how far you get or dont get. Home is home. And bringing your peoples up is what matters. 🙏🏽

[@ThinkBeFree99]

Those last few sentences hit home hard.

[@lilkidd3886]

It’s not tha bad Chicago Is all mexican

[@jrflo1244]

I grew up on the south side of Chicago and personally never experienced any racism. I'm not saying it didn't exist I'm talking about me personally.. I had to worry about my own people first both Mexicans and Puerto Ricans..alot of gang activity.

[@jrflo1244]

This guy talking about Mexicans and Mexican Americans not liking each other...obviously he's speaking about his own experience. I'm Mexican born in Chicago I spent time in Mexico and fit right in with every one else. This guy probably thinks he's better than every one else and that's probably why they don't like him...😅😅

[@Kay2be2mr]

I know that it definitely depends on where exactly the neighborhood you grew up in, and in what decade, but I have to say that as someone who grew up in the north side of Chicago in the late 80s and 90s, I had a great childhood. My mom is Puerto Rican and could barely speak any English, and my dad an immigrant from Guatemala who also barely spoke English and yet their community embraced them. They had many neighbor friends of all ethnicities. I personally went to school and grew up with many Mexicans and blacks, and Arabs, and Cambodians. I never personally felt discriminated against by the white people around us. If anyone ever said anything about us it definitely wasn't to our face, and we never had anyone do anything against us either. It's why I will always love Chicago deeply even though I don't live there anymore.

[@OTE.83]

Mexican immigrant here (fmr. undocumented/mojado)…listen…the most racism and prejudice I experienced (which was some but nothing crazy) while growing up in NorCAL in the 90’s was from Hispanics and Latinos who are similar to the folks in this video. I never considered “race” or “heritage” growing up where I lived, even though it was mainly white/caucasian. All of this “racism” this and “safe spaces” that really seemed to begin trending when my generation (millennials) attended and graduated from college (note: I am a college graduate myself). I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist. All I’m saying is based off my observation living in CA since 1991…and how much more it’s become increasingly diverse…somehow the “racism” card is a lot more common. It’s like people make it seem like we’re back in the ‘Jim Crow/Brown v. Board of Education’ era. Pretty sad and pathetic. 😏

[@conservativewarrior777]

As a third generation Cuban who grew up in a very English speaking family while living in a mexican community, I endured racism because I didn't know Spanish? But whenever I was around whites, blacks and asians I never, ever endured any prejudice from them!

[@mpcjunkie72]

Sorry but the other things these guys aren't talking about is going to a predominantly minority schools (elementary and high school) and how the whites (there was a very small handful) were bullied a lot. I grew up also in Chicago in the 80's - Ashland and Chicago Avenue.

[@ednasepulveda9778]

I refocused, you help us externally they way you are now and I will help us internally. The gospel is an internal issue and I know nothing about politics like you do.

[@VICTORHERNANDEZ-cc3by]

Bro the "Latin' x" ruins this otherwise wonderful video. STOP saying that made up word.

[@gilbertgonzales7446]

Just the other day someone told i hope your mom gets deported. Well my mom is past but she was born in colorado. My have been spanish , mexican and US not cool to look down at anyone

[@jennyjenny4501]

Does he identify as a white supremacist?

[@JC-vz9vn]

i bet you do

[@josephsonora3787]

I faced the same kind of Racism. Like I said...Racism has been around long before us and will be around long after we're Worm Dirt. Just deal with it.

[@joshuatoledo8844]

John: Respect!

[@sleepr_v141]

Stick to acting , always talking about racism just to keep it alive !!

[@jaymendez1226]

What you should be asking is how they keep there Spanish culture

[@Greyskydies]

Boy, keep talking about race… way to go liberal democrats.

[@drewhead1]

I have what’s called the Peña rule. If Michael Peña is in it I’ll watch it.

[@spartacuslord4250]

They should talk about racism in the movie industry

[@pascualgarcia1303]

Juan Leguisano sounds very Chicano already

[@craftlover9702]

Just watched the movie "A Million Miles Away" and loved it. What an amazing journey and accomplishment! Michael Pena did an awesome performance and Wow, I have to say he is handsome!! Loved the movie!

[@johnqpublic8070]

He sure did alright though. Love how racists want to always point racism. Who are the real racists?

[@vikdck]

I was born in Washington Hispanic iam stirll mexican

[@melanieguzman4184]

Peña for Oscar, for A Million Miles Away.

[@flyntvera]

They going to show when Michael joins scientology ?

[@rw8126]

It's funny John Leguizamo was claiming Puerto Rican...his own father called him out

[@__-fl3yt]

From Which country are his parents.?

[@bennymartinez4306]

Love it!

[@leximarie3808]

Pena is a Scientologist. Enough said.

[@sircasm6578]

LatinX isn't a thing... No matter how hard you try to get your 9 viewers to make it one 😅

[@Keneli0426]

proud to be MEXICAN

[@chicanorock-rapfusion6411]

Latinos for Trump! Trump 2024!!!

[@user-hd8ej8yx9p]

Michael's friend has really nice grey hair

[@BlueCollarBandit]

Maybe next they can discuss racism towards white people?

[@__-fl3yt]

Isn't racism is prejudice. We don't think we are superior to them, but we think most of them are entitled, racist and mentally weak.

[@charlieramz3126]

I grew up in Little Village in the 80s and we never had anyone looking at us sideways or treat us differently. The entire neighborhood was white yet I never felt like I wasn’t wanted. Those are facts. Now Lil Vill is ALL Mexicano.

[@Ivna486]

He lost me once he said Latin x 🤦🏻

[@acer1748]

Great actor! Love his wrk ❤

[@martinchapa9087]

Boo HOOHOO CALM DOWN WITH THAT BS

[@alexb4874]

I understand sharing the story of what happened but Michael Peña did not need to repeat those derogatory words. We all know what they are. No need to repeat them. It's not necessary. Please edit this video and mute them @msnbc

[@daddygrace253]

Why, it's call free speech? Stop with the censorship and your political correctness crap.

[@jblancodj]

I love Michael!!!! I love that he’s Chicagoan!! ❤❤ very proud of you brother!!!

[@4149stonepony]

Pena has a good Chicago accent, they all do and it's funny because most don't associate minorities with regional accents.

[@oppressedspeakeroftruth6558]

Hey look..actors acting like they dealt with racism and oppression 🤣

[@benfranklin1770]

I can relate to him. Lots of anti-semitism in Montreal and Toronto in the late '60s, esrly 70's..

[@josephsonora3787]

I remember when riding the school bus the black lady bus driver took it upon herself to segregate riders. Blacks on one side and everyone else on the other. Smh

[@jameson6930]

John latinecs come on.

[@rossmann611]

nice, john, these stories and history are an important part of what is now modern american culture. other than the original native americans, most have arrived through immigration.

[@jpr2136]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@tonylee6806]

I live in Fort Worth born the same as Selena. I say the same thing she says. Ahh come on Dad.

[@TINMAN-jm9sw]

It’s up to parents to show the traditions to our kids

[@DiegoLopez-hl5ru]

❤❤❤

[@marklasky3555]

Another crybaby

[@JC-vz9vn]

another mediocre white boy

[@josesalinas8315]

Just like you

[@richardmesser1091]

I bet your a prize

[@JC-vz9vn]

@@richardmesser1091 *you're

[@JC-vz9vn]

@@josesalinas8315 go to back to mexico

[@edgarcamacho3479]

Esos gueyes white wash

[@andyortega6078]

Best episode in the series 😉

[@mathematicus3141]

More of this please!

[@DiegoLopez-hl5ru]

Love you guys ❤

[@erbeypineda4127]

So right!

[@maydavalle]

She was the first one ☝🏽 in the whole family with a Bachelor’s degree.❤️ Michale Peña is so deserving of more leading roles.👏🏽 A Million Miles Away is an Incredible biography and War on Everyone is hilarious. John Leguizamo is a humble trailblazer, creating change while continuing to hold onto important history and truth.⚜️

[@mgmartin701]

Nice work

[@inshallamiami]

Great segment, I have always loved Leguziamo and Peña. Heartbreaking however.

[@paradisepointlandscapedesi4886]

💪🏽🇺🇸😎☝🏽

[@farhanabdulhamid4214]

Chicago and brothers and Sister Family All Chicago is Peace and Happiness YES TNX GOOD Democratic okay Family business and Happiness and police Democracy in Femily all business peace okay TNX GOOD Family all PEACE and Happiness and Democracy in peace