Summary of "Elna Baker: A Mexican Mormon Christmas"

Podcast Title: The Moth
Host: The Moth
Episode: Elna Baker: A Mexican Mormon Christmas
Release Date: December 10, 2012

Introduction

In the episode titled "A Mexican Mormon Christmas," Elna Baker shares a heartfelt and humorous story about navigating the complexities of her multicultural identity during the holiday season. Set against the backdrop of her Mexican Mormon family, Elna recounts the challenges and mishaps that ensue when she introduces her Irish Catholic boyfriend to her traditional relatives.

Background: Straddling Two Worlds

Elna begins by highlighting the dichotomy of her cultural heritage. As a Mexican Mormon, she finds herself caught between two distinct worlds that often clash. She reflects:

"You know, as a Mormon, I'm not allowed to smoke, drink, do drugs, have sex, or have coffee. And as a Mexican, I want to do all five at one time." (02:56)

This internal conflict has made Elna feel like the "black sheep" in her family, unable to fully relate to either side. Her father's efforts to instill a strong Mexican-American identity in his children add another layer to her struggle:

"Being a Mexican American is difficult. You gotta be more Mexican than the Mexicans. You gotta be more American than the Americans." (03:15)

Preparing for the Christmas Gathering

Every Christmas, Elna's dispersed family gathers, alternating between her mother's Mormon side and her father's Mexican side. This year, it was her Mexican Christmas, promising a lively and chaotic celebration filled with tamales, mariachi music, and piñatas instead of the typical reverent holiday traditions.

Elna's goal was to help her boyfriend, Liam, seamlessly integrate into her vibrant family. To achieve this, she meticulously prepped him to avoid behaviors that might clash with her family's expectations:

"More than anything, do not tell any stories. Because he had this tendency. He would start a story, and it was very G rated, and then it would just take a sudden, inappropriate turn." (05:12)

Despite her efforts, Elna anticipates potential cultural clashes, feeling responsible for ensuring Liam's acceptance.

The Phone Mishap: Chaos Unleashed

Upon arriving in Utah, Elna's trip takes an unexpected turn when she slips on ice, causing her phone to fall into a bank of snow. This seemingly minor incident spirals into a full-blown family search for the lost phone:

"Everyone's looking for the phone. Everyone's calling it." (07:03)

Determined to maintain control over the situation, Elna devises a plan to distract her family by having Liam pretend to be a homeless man who found the phone at Arby's—a local fast-food restaurant they visited earlier. Her attempt at humor backfires when her grandmother, known for her bluntness, takes the act seriously, leading to further confusion and chaos.

Father's Intervention: A Failed Attempt

As the situation escalates, Elna's father takes matters into his own hands, venturing into the alley behind Arby's to retrieve the phone. His well-intentioned but misguided efforts result in an awkward exchange with a real homeless man, leaving him empty-handed and further complicating the family's dynamics.

"You know, where can we meet you?" (10:45)
"I can't hear you, man. I can't hear." (10:52)

This interaction underscores the cultural and generational gaps within the family, highlighting the challenges Elna faces in bridging these divides.

Reflection: Seeking Connection Amidst Chaos

As Elna and Liam prepare to meet her extended family, she contemplates the true nature of her efforts:

"As much as I had wanted him to fit in, what I actually wanted was a partner in crime." (12:30)

This realization speaks to her deeper desire for acceptance and solidarity within her family, rather than mere conformity. Elna's story encapsulates the universal struggle of finding one's place within the complexities of blended identities and familial expectations.

Conclusion

Elna Baker's "A Mexican Mormon Christmas" is a poignant and entertaining exploration of cultural identity, family dynamics, and the lengths one goes to bridge disparate worlds. Through humor and vulnerability, she offers listeners a window into her unique experiences, ultimately celebrating the imperfect but heartfelt attempts to find belonging and connection.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "You know, as a Mormon, I'm not allowed to smoke, drink, do drugs, have sex, or have coffee. And as a Mexican, I want to do all five at one time." (02:56)

• "Being a Mexican American is difficult. You gotta be more Mexican than the Mexicans. You gotta be more American than the Americans." (03:15)

• "More than anything, do not tell any stories. Because he had this tendency. He would start a story, and it was very G rated, and then it would just take a sudden, inappropriate turn." (05:12)

• "Everyone's looking for the phone. Everyone's calling it." (07:03)

• "I can't hear you, man. I can't hear." (10:52)

• "As much as I had wanted him to fit in, what I actually wanted was a partner in crime." (12:30)

Note: Sections related to advertisements, introductions, and outros have been omitted to focus solely on the core narrative shared by Elna Baker.