2 posts tagged “beyonce & latinos”
I TOLD YOU.
So I'm perusing my usual race & pop culture blogs like I do most mornings before I go to work, (not even trying to come up with a post right now because I really haven't had the time to put one together and have a few in the works) and I come across this article mentioned in one of my favs (hat tip to stereohyped) reaffirming my feelings towards the Latino community's weird connection (obsession?) with Beyonce.
Ms. Knowles, Fergie & will.i.am are getting Latin Grammy recognition for their work with Latino artists. I can see how some would say my assertion that this has to do with her booty, is totally unfounded in this particular instance. To win a grammy, a Latin grammy in this case, it's about one's musical production, yes I totally get it. But more over, should these artists get said grammy's at all, IF we're talking about a segment of musical awards given to a particular ethnic group, due to the fact that the mainstream grammy's lack of recognizing these artists is the reason these awards even exist?! This is probably a question that is all a matter of perspective, and would have answers on both sides of the fence, but damn. I still can't shake the funny feeling I get when Latinos and Beyonce mix. (Don't even get me started about those former Black Eyed Peas members. Separate argument for another day.)
As I stated in my last Beyonce & Latinos related post, if Gwen gets an award from the Asian American community I'ma loose it folks.
Aight, off to work.
I haven't been hitting VOX very hard lately because I have been working a lot but something really got my GOAT today...
This week People En Español released it's Spanish language version of the 50 most beautiful people list. Now it's not that I really give a crap about these kind of things — I tend not to wear my LATINA badge as readily as I used to, don't get me wrong I'm a proud Chicana just not in the "Hi, My name is Magtonic I'm part Chicana it's nice to meet you" way that I have been known to do. But this morning as I got ready for work I noticed the Today show had made a big whoopty whoop out of this years edition (in part because anglocized anchor Natalie Morales was on the list I'm guessing).
This years list included up and comers, expected picks and one jaw dropping, head tilting, huh inducing pick.
TV personalities included: novela actress Ludwika Paleta, Saved By the Bell's own Slater - Mario López. My double América Ferrera, and her producer/Frida Impersonating boss Salma Hayek,
Of course you had your Ricky Martins, Chayannes, JLos & Penelope Cruz's... All people I could make a million jokes about but I will not stoop to that level. A few athletes were in there as well. But jaw-droppingly it was the HONORARY member of the list they included that annoyed the crap out of me.
The article in the actual magazine begins,
"For the 2007 edition of the 50 Most Beautiful, PEOPLE en Español
editors gathered eight of today’s most popular stars under the same
roof... and gorgeous
Beyoncé Knowles, who was chosen an “honorary beauty,” even though she
doesn’t have Hispanic roots, due to her interest in our culture and
music, which gave us a list of 51 beauties this year."
Um.... Essscuseme? Let's be real... it's because she has a big booty right? Is it because she wears door knocker earrings like all my Boriqua homegirls from NYC? No forreal People En Español, explica me algo... ¿Por qué ella?
The article continues,
"Talented artist Beyoncé Knowles, who is doing a crossover into the Hispanic market with a musical production that includes duos with singers such as Alejandro Fernández and Shakira, spoke about how much she admires El Potrillo. “He is very humble, very good looking. He has a voice that leaves you in a trance. It has a beautiful and sexy tone. I fell in love with his voice,” Knowles said."
Not an acceptable response for me. Now I won't jump to the conclusion that Ms. B is exploiting my peoples, but WHAT is it about doing a few songs with a few Latino artists (Shakira pop mess that she is, I liked her better as a brunette btw) that merits an HONORARY RACE? WHAT IS THAT?
You don't see the queen of exploiting another race, adopting far fetched notions of it's culture and then spitting it back out American consumers Ms. GWEN i-have-a-harem-of-small-cute-japanese-women-with-me-at-all-times STEFANI is getting awards or honors from Asian American communities for her work bringing Harajuku culture to the mainland.
Taking it too far? Probably as Beyonce hasn't quite hit that level of nausea yet. But even still... it's gotta be in part because she has an ass like JLo.
