Latina Leadership, Macho Culture, and the Real National Narrative

Cactus Crossfire: A Southwest Tri-Pod Podcast & Blog

Women Leading the Charge

In Hispanic communities across America, it’s often women who step up first and lead the charge. Whether it’s at home, in the workplace, or in politics, Latina women are shaping the conversation and setting the tone for what strength and leadership look like. As we discussed on this week’s episode, “Maybe in those communities, macho isn’t a bad thing.”

Growing up, we heard our mothers and their friends talk about “que macho”—and it wasn’t an insult. The strength, confidence, and assertiveness associated with “macho” culture were often seen as positive traits, especially when balanced by respect and community values.

Machismo, Messaging, and Modern Politics

This isn’t about excusing misogyny or ignoring the need for progress. It’s about recognizing that in many Hispanic families, strength and leadership are not just accepted but expected—from both men and women.

And here’s the twist: “At the same time, you have Gavin Newsom being told by a queer Latina woman how to craft his message.”

It’s proof that authentic messaging and inclusive leadership are not mutually exclusive.

The Power—and Pitfall—of Singular Messaging

We also broke down how Donald Trump capitalized on a singular message: national pride, national identity, and “America First.”

“He has a singular message about national pride, national identity, right? Love of country. And he capitalized on that. And then he asserts strength in leadership.”

It’s a playbook as old as politics itself, and it works. But while Republicans rally around unified messages, Democrats are getting lost in fragmented debates—talking about bathrooms instead of the real crisis in our education system.

What’s the Real National Narrative?

We’re not saying that protecting LGBTQ+ kids isn’t important—it absolutely is. But as Eddie put it, “That’s not the national narrative. The national narrative needs to be, why are our schools failing our children?”

And when Democrats finally face that question, they have to look the teachers’ unions in the face and ask the hard questions, too.

Watch a clip of the conversation here.

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