A side passion project: Cuentos y Corazón | By Jeremy Jojola | Out of the thousands of news stories I’ve done, there is one in particular that is my favorite and which continues to resonate with people. In 2017, I put together this brief story about the Spanish-speaking people of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado for Hispanic Heritage Month. My grandmother even made an appearance.
I didn’t anticipate the story having that much of an impact.
Seven years and more than a million views later, I continue to get emails and messages about this piece from people all over the country who have ancestral ties to New Mexico and southern Colorado. Sometimes people will walk up to me to share how much the story means to them. It touches my heart to hear from people, especially in person.
The story’s spread made me realize there is a thirst for acknowledgment of Nuevomexicano heritage, which is a heritage that traces to a time and place that existed before the United States was formed. As a popular saying goes, “The border crossed us.”
I’ve done a few more stories that touches upon my heritage, including a piece on the disappearing Spanish dialect of the region and the little-known history of indigenous slavery.
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Read more of Jeremy’s story here:
https://jeremyjojola.com/2025/02/23/a-side-passion-project-cuentos-y-corazon/
9 News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVonK4AEiWQ
Posted on February 23, 2025 by Jeremy Jojola
@Kekinho07
I am a Mexican living in Northern New Mexico, listening to the hispanic elders from here speaking their Spanish makes me feel nostalgic, their accent is so melodic and make you feel like you are talking to a long time friend, it is very welcoming. I feel sad this variant of Spanish is loosing its strength, I feel honored to at least witness the beauty of this Spanish before it disappears.
@DroTalks
I am from Northern New Mexico and my mom didn’t teach me Spanish on purpose, so I wouldn’t be judged as she was; but when I got older and joined the US Navy I met people from Mexico, Columbia, Spain and felt as if a part of me was missing. I later moved to Mexico for 4 years and became fluent. I am the only member of my family from my generation that speaks Spanish.
Is Jack Black fluent in Spanish?
Yes, Jack Black speaks Spanish, having learned it from childhood in Southern California and further practiced it for roles like Nacho Libre, allowing him to converse with Spanish-speaking reporters and even attempt tongue twisters, showcasing a good grasp of the language for a non-native speaker.