
Episode 3: New Mexico Has a Hispano White Nationalism Problem
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04/06/21 • 34 min
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New Mexico Has a Hispano White Nationalism Problem
When you hear the phrase “white nationalist” the sad image of an angry young skinhead toting a nazi flag and snapping out the fascist salute may come to mind. But here in New Mexico, we have a brand of white nationalism rooted in “Hispano” identity. And while the people promoting this ideology may look quite different from the angry skinhead, their objectives are no less dangerous.
So, what is a "Hispano" white nationalist you might ask?
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Works Mentioned in this Episode:
New Mexico has a Hispano White Nationalist Problem - Kurly Tlapoyawa
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Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!
New Mexico Has a Hispano White Nationalism Problem
When you hear the phrase “white nationalist” the sad image of an angry young skinhead toting a nazi flag and snapping out the fascist salute may come to mind. But here in New Mexico, we have a brand of white nationalism rooted in “Hispano” identity. And while the people promoting this ideology may look quite different from the angry skinhead, their objectives are no less dangerous.
So, what is a "Hispano" white nationalist you might ask?
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Works Mentioned in this Episode:
New Mexico has a Hispano White Nationalist Problem - Kurly Tlapoyawa
Start for FREE
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
Previous Episode

Episode 2: Hunab Ku, Ometeotl, and the Vocabulary of Conquest
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Hunab Ku, Ometeotl, and the Vocabulary of Conquest
In 1524, twelve Franciscan missionaries were sent to Mexico from Spain to convert the previously unknown Indigenous people to Catholicism. To help facilitate this, the Spaniards constructed the Colegio de Santa Cruz in Tlatelolco in 1536, where young Indigenous nobles were trained in Catholic doctrine and taught to read and write using the Latin alphabet. These nobles held valuable insight into Mesoamerican cosmovision and helped determine how to manipulate it to serve the missionizing process.
These Indigenous aides would often use Mesoamerican vocabulary and concepts when attempting to translate Catholicism into Indigenous terms. Pre-existing names such as Ipalnemoani “He by Whom One Lives,” Tloke Nawakeh “Possessor of the Near, Possessor of the Surrounding,” Teyokoyani “creator of people,” and others were repurposed to represent the concepts of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and other aspects of Christian belief. When there were no pre-existing Indigenous names to properly convey a desired Catholic principle, Indigenous aides created new terms and expressions in their language that could adequately carry the necessary meaning . As a result, an entirely new vocabulary to convert Mesoamericans to Catholicism was born. I refer to this appropriation and invention of Indigenous terms in the service of religious conversion as the Vocabulary of Conquest.
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He has authored numerous books and presented lectures at various universities.
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. He has presented and published widely and currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Cited in this episode:
Destronando a Ometeotl - Katarzyna Mikulska
The Vocabulary of Conquest - Kurly Tlapoyawa
Translation in Historiography: The Garibay/Leon-Portilla Complex and the Making of a Pre-Hispanic Past - Payas Gertrudis
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
Next Episode

Episode 4: The Declaration of Kuauhtemok
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The Declaration of Kuauhtemok
It is said that on Aug 12, 1521 Kuauhtemok delivered a message of resistance to the people. Those words have inspired Mexikas as a call to action. Join us in exploring this foundational document of modern Mexikayotl.
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Works cited in this episode:
Invented Words: The Declaration of Kuauhtemok (2017) by @KurlyTlapoyawa & @MagnusPharao
Cronica Mexicayotl (late 1500s) by Fernando Alvarado Tezozomoc
"Mexikayotl:" esencia del mexicano; filosofía náuatl (1969) María del Carmen Nieva López
Start for FREE
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
Tales From Aztlantis - Episode 3: New Mexico Has a Hispano White Nationalism Problem
Transcript
When you hear the phrase “white nationalist” the sad image of an angry young skinhead toting a nazi flag and snapping out the fascist salute may come to mind. But here in New Mexico, we have a brand of white nationalism rooted in “hispano” identity. And while the people promoting this ideology may look very different from the angry skinhead, their objectives are no less dangerous.
So, what is a hispano white nationalist you might ask?
The ideology that drives hispano white
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