The Frito Bandito: Adorable scamp or offensive stereotype?

January 29 is National Corn Chip Day.

You could say that Fritos are the Coca-Cola of corn chips. From 1967 to 1971, the company’s mascot was the Frito Bandito. In this clip, he teaches you to sing the Bandito song. Everyone knew this song when I was a kid.

Fritos commercial featuring the Frito Bandito song (1960s)

Does he sound like Speedy Gonzales to you? That’s because Mel Blanc voiced both characters.

The website TuVez lists the character as one of the Top 5 Latino Stereotypes.

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