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