Gustavo Arellano, has spent two decades showcasing his talents as a Latino journalist through his many books and columns that have become a reflection of the communities we see in Los Angeles. 

Books like “Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America,” gives a detailed history of the Southern California food scene and its relation to the Mexican American community. Or his work with OC Weekly where Arellano was both a reporter for the paper and satirical columnist. He spent 13 years on the column “¡Ask a Mexican!” where he poked fun at those unaware of Mexican customs. Now, he’s taking his perspectives of LA culture over to the LA Times as their new columnist.

Today on AirTalk, two of Los Angeles’s most observant natives, AirTalk host Larry Mantle and longtime Southern California journalist Gustavo Arellano, have a conversation about Arellano’s new job as an LA Times columnist and how he plans to take this opportunity to showcase the community he cares so deeply for.

Guest:

Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times’s new California columnist; his first column is out this week, “Wherever there’s a fight for California’s future, this Mexican nerd will be there”; he tweets @GustavoArellano