VivirLatino

One of the biggest issues that seems to have come out of the “Latino in America” series is the question of identity. What, exactly, is a Latino? Some people were satisfied with Soledad O’Brien’s framing of “Latino,” others had real problems with it, including: there was a limited black Latino presence on the show, Puerto Ricans and Cubans were shown as oppositional to Mexicans, there was absolutely no mention of queer politics (including any mention of the huge losses that have devastated our communities) and the “boot strap” mentality (as in, pull yourself up by them) was normalized far too easily on the whole.

Regardless, I have been so excited to see a range of comments attempting to more clearly and broadly and specifically define that age old question, “What is Latino?”

The following is one of my favorite answers so far.

From the Latin Americanist:

I have my issues with CNN and many other network television news stations but felt compelled to watch their special.

Being born and raised in the United States from immigrant parents, I sometimes consider myself a “slashed American”. I do not view this term as something that breeds distrust and division but that adds to the plethora of diversity this country has long been know for and symbolizes.

My first language was Spanish. But when my family relocated to the suburbs of RI from the bustling metropolis that is NYC, I was slapped in the face with a huge culture shock. In the end I integrated well with my “American” counterparts. I learned the language, celebrated the American holidays, all the while still trying to remain true to myself.

It is a constant battle juggling both my Mexican heritage and my new found American self; trying to hold on to my family’s legacy while being pulled in the other direction to also embrace this new tradition as I continue to struggle with what it means to be an American.

Latino to me, comes from the joy I feel when I hear others converse about issues and topics relevant to me in the language I adore.

Latino to me, comes from the overwhelming sensation and urge to dance when I hear the Latin rhythm of salsa, cumbias, and merengue music.

Latino to me, comes from the overindulgences of my mother’s tamales, mole poblano, pastel de tres leches, and the plethora of tastes and flavors that make up the Latino pallet.

Latino to me, means that I am a vital part of this country, that I foster growth and tolerance and add to an ever growing diversity that make America rich and vibrant.

Latino to me is knowing that while I may be a “slashed” American I am no less than any whole person; that I am in no way deprived of any sense of self but lucky and even blessed.

It is my two distinct worlds that have shown me that I am not all that different from my Anglo brother, from my African sister, or from my Asian cousin. But has shown me that deep down we are all the same; with the same needs to love and care for one another and be accepted.. Once we find that common ground, can we truly unite to dispel this distrust and division among ourselves not only as Americans but as human beings, as a part to the overall whole.

Of course, I want to scream and yell and stomp my feet to this definition, because it encourages people in our communities to build on existing definitions, to explore outside of “nation/state” definitions, to think of lived experiences rather than corporate news.

So to this list, I would add:

Latino to me means glorious sexuality–it means Cherry Gallette, La Chica Boom, our own Mamita Mala, and so many others. It means naked and fat Virgin Guadalupes and in your face Butchlalis.

I am a queer Latina because I am Latina–I could not “come out” if I identified as white or mostly as white. I’m not really sure why that is. Being queer is being Latina to me, and vise versa, I couldn’t be one without the other.

What is “Latino” to you? What makes you–you?

One of my favorite singers of all time is Chicana (or Mexican American, not sure how she identifies, but you know *I* will claim her as straight up Chicana!!) Joan Baez. Ardently radical in her politics with the activism to back it up, Joan can bring me to tears even as she inspires me to “do something.”

She was highlighted last night on PBS’s regular series, American Masters. Below is a clip:

The thing I loved best about the show were the various clips where Baez attempted to answer that age old question, “what place does art have in politics? And vise versa?” How do you successfully create art (which is a full time job,) while doing activism (which is also a full time job)? Baez’s answers are complicated and interesting, especially because she was a single mother–who also often dated men who were either activists OR artists. One of the more interesting clips of the film was when Baez talked about how she tried and tried to make her then boyfriend, Bob Dylan, more of an overt political activist, when she finally realized–he was writing the soundtrack to the movement. he didn’t need to do much more than that.

But she did. And she admits to falling on the other side of the spectrum. She wrote songs to support her activism, rather that engaging in activism through her songs.

The show was very compelling. Lots of wisdom there, I encourage you to watch!

Remember how I encouraged you all to go visit the “who has the best chest in Hollywood” poll? And how I asserted that it couldn’t possibly be anybody else other than Salma Hayek?

Ergh.

Well, I was reading a story on CNN about how the National Organization for Women is protesting David Letterman and CBS, and I came across their anti-chest petition:

Yes, the Internet is full of this kind of exploitative, sexist junk, but shouldn’t we expect better from the Huffington Post? The website links to a previous contest where readers voted on men’s chests, but that’s just a little different, don’t you think? Women are constantly judged and rated on their physical assets and sex appeal, and the Huffington Post really doesn’t need to be in the business of encouraging this practice. Not to mention, how old was the grade school boy who devised the rating scale? The use of the word “gross” is so degrading and juvenile that the folks at Huffington Post should be embarassed.

The whole post follows up with a link on how you can “take action.”

Now, admittedly, I didn’t really pay any attention at all to the rating scale, as I didn’t vote, and I never comment. I was absolutely being a dirty pervert and panting all over Salma’s cleavage, so I just didn’t notice. Upon finding out, yes, I do think it’s shitty to say that a woman could *possibly* have “gross’ tetas.

And on the whole, I do agree that the Huffington Post is singularly irritating with all it’s “naked celebrity womenz!” pictures on the sidebar. Something I’ve especially noticed is the glee it seems to take in pointing out every time Rihanna wears anything that remotely resembles any sort of S & M outfit. As if, dressing in bondage outfits for a photo shoot plus being beaten by your boyfriend some how equals “she likes being smacked around.”

So I get what NOW is saying. Huffington Post appeals to pig in all the liberal elite out there who are too conscientious and morally upright to surf porn sites. Which really sucks when you’re just trying to find out about what is going on with immigration or the latest in the Health care debate.

But at the same time…the heteronormativity (assuming all people are heterosexual) of the NOW statement also sorta irritates the shit out of me. I love tetas. I love Salma’s tetas especially. I got her as my screen saver and have seen every last one of her movies both good and bad. I would *totally* publish a “which picture of Salma’s boobs is hottest” poll on VL if VL had the capabilities of doing so–And I am certainly not a grade school boy.

Is there a way that these feminists can allow the space for queer dyky butch femme lesbian gender questioning trans unsure but totally hot for Salma Hayek people to just glory in Salma (or any other hot woman)? Without it being labeled as sexist garbage that we all have to protest?

How many chicanita dykes out there now think that to be proper feminist you must find looking at hot boobs to be sexist and disgusting?

And how is that message any different from what they are hearing in church or at school even?

What do you think?

Because I know you’ve all just been on tenterhooks, wondering where on earth has la Macha been lately, right?

Well, I’ve had a bunch of computer problems and then transportation problems (to get to the library for the computer) and then sick familia problems. Ugh. Please feel free to throw puffballs in anger at my kitteh, who is the one responsible for this whole horrible chain of events (he knocked the computer off the table which, in turn, yanked all the cords out of the plugins, destroying the cords/plugins.) What a fabulous kitteh I have.

Anyway, I hope all my libertarian friends enjoyed their time with no Macha!

Back to posting we go!