Latino USA

This week, Latino USA explores the past, present and future of baseball. From the history of how Latino players bent the rules of the color line in the years before Jackie Robinson, to the story of how and why Dominican fans starting showing up at Boston's notoriously white Fenway Park, to the challenges that immigrant players face on their journey to the Major Leagues.

When we talk about what made rock & roll as we know it, the most common answer is: a mixture of R&B, a predominantly black genre, and country, a predominantly white genre. We explore the Latino influences that helped shape rock & roll, and we profile unsung Latino rock artists who had a hand in crafting this new sound---which is not as black and white as many think.

From the "Latin Lover" to the "Latina Bombshell," Latino USA breaks down stereotypes. Is the "Sleeping Mexican" an honored icon or a derogatory stereotype? We also hear from Latinos and Latinas about how stereotypes have affected their lives.

The Southwest was once a part of Mexico, but that doesn't mean that Mexicans have always felt welcome there. Land disputes led to segregation, discrimination and even state-sanctioned violence. Latino USA looks into the history of resistance leaders like Juan Cortina and Reies Lopez Tijerina, the dark side of the Texas Rangers and school segregation in an episode dedicated to the often-untold history of blood and betrayal in the Southwest.

African culture runs deep through Latino identity—from music to food, and into so much more. But are Afro-Latinos under-represented and under-served? We ask Afro-Latinos across several generations what they think, and learn about the Garifuna, a Honduran Afro-Latino community which has been migrating to the U.S.

In 2014, Latinos became the biggest ethnic group in California. If an issue matters in California, chances are it matters to the Latino community. On this week's episode we look at how mental health, school suspensions, and identity all play roles in this large and complex state.

Big elections bring up big talk and this year there's plenty of rhetoric from presidential candidates, especially Donald Trump. Although this isn't new, an expert says the rhetoric of fear and the attacks from this year's campaigns are the worst he has seen. For this show NPR's Latino USA looks at how these words from Trump and others on the campaign trail are affecting us. The rhetoric may be temporary, but its effects on American public discourse may not be.

Our relationships define our lives: from romantic relationships, friendships and even our relationship to ourselves. For this Valentine's Day weekend, Latino USA shares stories about how those relationships are tested, figuratively and literally.

Puerto Rico is in trouble. With a faltering economy, $72 billion of municipal debt, and a brain drain of young people packing for the mainland, Puerto Ricans are seriously worried about the future of the U.S. territory. Latino USA explores the Puerto Rican debt crisis, from the history of U.S. involvement in the island's economy to how its fiscal problems are affecting people today. Plus, the battle on Capitol Hill over Puerto Rico's future.

Miscommunications can be pretty typical occurrences for Latinos who are bilingual or bicultural. And often, they're harmless or even humorous - like a boy who thought his grandmother wanted to take him to a "baby city," not that she was going to babysit him. But miscommunications can also have grave consequences. During the 1970s, family planning programs in Los Angeles led to many forced sterilizations of women who were confused about what they were consenting to. Plus the definitive theory on Latino "Sorry" songs.

On today's show we ask: What is happening in Central America? What is the U.S. doing with migrants seeking asylum? We give you some history of how El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala got to this place and catch you up on the latest news regarding recent ICE raids.

How does stress in the home affect children? On this episode of Latino USA we meet a family of American siblings whose mother lacks legal status in the U.S. to explore the unintended consequences immigration policies have on U.S. born kids. We also visit a pediatrician's office where babies are being screened by mental health experts. Although it may seem odd to send a toddler to a psychologist, doctors say it's never too early to help identify toxic stresses at home. This week we ask the question: Are the kids alright?

Maria Hinojosa gets personal with a poet laureate, a feminist scholar, and a comedian. We bring one-on-one conversations with some of the most influential Latino thinkers and writers of today.

"Tumbao" roughly translates into "groove or "swing" and it's what you call the bass line in Salsa music. But tumbao is also the feel of music, the way all the elements come together to make something unique. On this episode we're broadening the definition of tumbao. Latino USA kicks off the New Year by celebrating with stories of music of all genres that have their own sort swing: from folk to mambo and even some opera.

Latino USA explores the rich and complicated relationship between Latinos and their grandparents. We look at the science behind the existence of abuelitos and hear from people who were raised by them.