When I think of hot Cheetos, I remember the days at Martin Jr. high and walking to the Breadbasket or Mr. Macs and grabbing a hot Cheetos. Every time I see the orange bag it reminds me of those times and puts a smile on my face. It takes me back. A few years ago, I ran across a story about the invention of Hot Cheetos. It was great to find out that the creator was Mexican-American. It was one of those rare moments where I could jump up and down and yell, “Hell yeah!”
A few years ago, I heard a story about a man named Richard Montanez, a Janitor at Frito lay who rose through the ranks after creating hot Cheetos. When a machine broke down, he took some unflavored Cheetos home, flavored them like Mexican street corn, and pitched the idea to the CEO. The product was soft-launched six months later and approved for national release in 1992. the flavor has garnered billions in revenue.
There was a disagreement about whether or not Mr. Montañez created the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Some people believe that he did, while others think that someone else invented them. However, Mr. Montañez has claimed credit for the invention, and evidence supports his claim.
Since then, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have become one of the most popular snacks in the world. They are loved by people of all ages and backgrounds and can be found in almost every country. Mr. Montañez’s invention has made him a very wealthy man, and he is now retired from Fritolays.
Even though there is some disagreement about who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, there is no doubt that Mr. Montañez was a driving force behind their success. He should be proud of his achievement and the impact he has had on people worldwide.
Mexican – Americans have been making similar variations of hot Cheetos for centuries, and to say that Richard Montanez did not invent Hot Cheetos is an insult to our culture. This is just another example of white people taking credit for the inventions of minorities and shows how much racism is endemic in society.
Many people might argue that hot Cheetos are just a food product and that it doesn’t matter who invented them. But food is an integral part of our culture, and to claim that one person created something as iconic as hot Cheetos and then called them a fraud is simply wrong. Mexicans have a long history of food innovation, and it is offensive for someone to try to claim credit for our work. We must fight against this kind of racism and stop people from appropriating our culture. Then, we can continue enjoying hot Cheetos, knowing that a Mexican American created them just as we have for so many years.
The recent events involving the creator of hot Cheetos is demoralizing and outrageous. He must now face the consequences of these allegations, looking like a fraud to the public. So many of us have to deal with racist stings, and it is time for a change. We cannot stand for this kind of treatment any longer.
There are many issues affecting our society today that need to be addressed, and there is no better time than now for us to take action. The mistreatment of minorities in this country has reached a critical point, with hate crimes rising and discriminatory policies becoming more commonplace. We must use our voices to call for change, and it begins by standing up against racism and injustice whenever we see it.
This country is a melting pot of cultures, and diversity is one of our greatest assets. From the food we eat to the music we listen to, our culture has been enriched through contributions from people of all backgrounds. Yet, despite our rich history and diversity, we continue to be treated as second-class citizens. This must change now, or we risk losing what makes this country great.
By Diane Revilla
