U.S. Air Force via Rock en Español

Thu20Oct2005

U.S. Air Force via Rock en Español

File this under "nothing in this world is free". Batanga internet radio has teamed up with the U.S. Air Force to create a cd featuring some big names in the rock en Español scene including Peruanos Libido. All visitors to the Batanga website need to do is take a little quiz about the U.S. Air Force and enter all their personal information and they will get their "free" cd but also loads of information and probably some phone calls on how to join the U.S. Air Force.

Does this strike anyone else as shady? I know the U.S. military has had trouble getting recruits to fight their wars lately, but given that the Batanga's target demographic is Latinos ages 14-34, this match up makes me uncomfortable. Isn't it bad enough that our young people are targeted as soon as they enter high school by the armed forces? Given the growing lack of educational and career opportunities for Latino youth doesn't this rock cd "giveaway" exploit our young people and lead them straight to the front lines? Somehow getting harassed to join the U.S. military via the mail and telephone in exchange for a cd of canciones people can get by other means doesn't seem like a fair deal.

Batanga Air Force Rocks

Victory for activists over WWII film (Wednesday, Apr 11 2007)
Mexican-American Iraq War Veteran Facing Court Martial Today (Tuesday, Oct 10 2006)

Maegan la Mala

Feedback (9) | Del.icio.us

Feedback (9) » Share your opinion

1. Rebecca Carter ~ Thursday, Oct 20 2005 | 14:20H:

Jennifer wrote a related post recently. Good catch Mala...seems like there are a lot of "shady" military practices out there.

2. Monica Chavez ~ Thursday, Oct 20 2005 | 18:22H:

This makes me sick. For some reason, a CD for your life doesn't seem like a fair tradeoff.

3. elenamary ~ Friday, Oct 21 2005 | 00:57H:

oh i am so goig to get the CD. Really, I am. But I am going to mention that I am Gay in every answer...

4. elenamary ~ Friday, Oct 21 2005 | 01:00H:

man i just filled out...there wasn't any place to say i was gay...i did give other false info though...

5. Maegan la Mala ~ Friday, Oct 21 2005 | 09:10H:

::laughing:: You have put something about being down to torture too. See if they try and recruit you then.

6. Jennifer Woodard Maderazo ~ Friday, Oct 21 2005 | 12:41H:

Just say you were a member of the nazi party during the second world war and have been known to be a procurer of prostitution.

7. Monica Chavez ~ Friday, Oct 21 2005 | 16:29H:

Tell them you are a Senator's daughter. I'm sure they'll leave you alone.

8. Rebecca Carter ~ Monday, Oct 31 2005 | 15:34H:

I just read in UTNE magazine (Sept/Oct 2005 page 13) that the military is planning on a 10-22% increase in Latino enlistment by 2025. Various tactics have been deployed, going above & beyond bilingual materials.

Customized Hummers used for recruiting are included in the list. Also, since apparently about 15% of Latinos drop out of school between 16 & 19, they make sure to really promote the fact that they accept GED's.

That last one kind of tripped me up. Is it better to have drop-outs on the streets or in dead-end jobs, or learning a skill in the military? I guess not everything is black & white.

9. Maegan la Mala ~ Tuesday, Nov 01 2005 | 12:24H:

Wouldn't it be better to figure ouy why so many Latinos are dropping out and fix the problem from that angle instead of shipping Latinos (and other kids of color) off to fight in other countries? Also the presumption that Latino drop outs = criminals is problematic. Why not offer more job opportunities , more vocational training? Is it because it is cheaper to just stick a gun in their hands?

VivirLatino