Month: March 2023

This song came out in 1989 and it started a great conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and its perception in the Latin American community. Just like anywhere else, the LGBTQ+ community faces many adversities; in Latin America there is a strong presence of Catholicism, which is often used to judge persecute those in the community. The song tells the story of Simón and the relationship with his father before and after his transition from male to female.

Today’s song is…

El Gran Varón by Willie Colón

There actually is not an official music video for this song, but there was an episode in a Mexican show with the same title, alluding to the song.

English Subtitles:

Willie Colón is a Salsa artist from the United States, but belongs to Puerto Rican heritage. Although not a prominent figure in Latin American music, he has brought up important topics through the talent and use of his salsa music. He is often known to be paired up with Hector Lavoe, a more popular salsa artist.

Let’s look at the lyrics:

In a hospital room
at 9:43 Simon was born
It’s the summer of ’56
The pride of Don Andrés, for being a man

 

Here the audience gets to know a bit about the “main character” Simón, and the time that we are in to get a better understanding of what is to come in the future. In Latin America, the culture appreciates and is more exited about expecting a boy; obviously this has a lot to do with patriarchal society.

 

 

 

With a heavy hand, with severity
he never gave an opinion
“When you grow up you will study
The same things as your dad, listen well
You will have to be a great man”

According to the machismo, when raising boys, the fathers make sure that their sons do not show emotion and that everything is served to them on a golden platter. The men are expected to follow in their fathers; footsteps.

He wore a skirt, lipstick, and a purse

Now it is talking about the transitions and changes that Simón goes through to achieve her their true self.

 

And a woman spoke to him as she passed
She said “hello, what’s up dad, how’re you doing?
You don’t know me I’m Simon
Simon, your son, the great man”

This is the first time that the father sees Simón as a woman and she is so unrecognizable, he finds it difficult to see Simón as the “great man” that everybody told him that he was going to be.

And don’t complain Andrés, don’t complain about anything
If lemons fall from the sky
learn to make lemonade

This is a reference to the common saying of “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. In this situation the “lemon” would be the father finding out that his son is transgender and the “lemonade” would be to maintain a relationship with his child.

At last there was news of where his son was
Andres never forgot the day of that sad call

 

After years of being distant, Andres (Simón’s father) stopped hearing from his child and never ended up taking the last phone call.

 

In a hospital room
Simon died of a strange illness.

HIV is a sickness that is commonly tied to homosexuals, this however, is a stigma. It is important to have compassion because those that love you will end up gone the next day.

Citations:

Appiah, Kwame Anthony. “Should I Tell My Elderly Turkish Dad That His Grandchild Is Trans?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Aug. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/09/magazine/trans-elderly-ethics.html.

Quintana, Hugo. “Machismo Culture Must Go.” The Michigan Daily, 21 Mar. 2022, https://www.michigandaily.com/michigan-in-color/machismo-culture-must-go/.

Ricks, Jason. “Moving on- When Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade.” LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/moving-on-when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-lemonade-jason-ricks/.

“Simon, El Gran Varon [DVD].” Best Buy, https://www.bestbuy.com/site/simon-el-gran-varon-dvd/13887118.p?skuId=13887118.

Unaids.org. “New HIV Infections Rising in Latin America―Key Populations Particularly Affected.” UNAIDS, UNAIDS, 14 Oct. 2019, https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2019/october/20191014_latin-america.

Again, this is another song by Los Tigres del Norte. This song is about a man thinking about the negative effects of coming to the United States and how much he misses his homeland, Mexico. This is something that not only Mexicans, but every Latin-American can relate to, even I have seen my father miss his country and the limits that he has in the United States that he does not have back home in El Salvador.

Today’s song is…

La Jaula de Oro by Los Tigres del Norte

They have actually performed this song and many others live at Folsom Prison, so I thought that it would be interesting if I added that here too, so enjoy!

English Subtitles:

I do not want to repeat what I have said before about them, so I will just share some fun facts about the group! Although the band was founded in Rosa Morada in Mexico, it is actually from San Jose, California. They are very popular among Latinos in the United States, they even have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Let’s look at the lyrics:

Here I am established
In the U.S
Ten years have passed
in which I crossed wet
Papers I have not fixed
I’m still an illegal

The narrator starts off by telling the listener that he is in the United States illegally, even after ten years.

 

I have my wife and my children
That I brought them very young
And they have already forgotten
Of my dear Mexico
which I never forget
and I can’t go back

He now tells us that he brought his family over to the United States, but he still misses his native land, Mexico. No matter how much he wants to return, he knows that he cannot and will continue saying that the United States is not his country.

What use is money to me?
If I’m a prisoner
Inside this great nation

Many countries in Latin America see the US as this great country where everybody that lives there is filled with riches, this however, is not the full truth. Still, one can earn way more money in the US than they ever could back in their homeland.

When I remember I even cry
Even if the cage is made of gold
It is no longer a prison

Even though he made it into this great country that is America, it does not eliminate the fact that it feels like a prison, due to the fact that he cannot leave, nor give himself away or raise any suspicion to himself because the immigration customs enforcement (ICE) would come after him and his family and rip them away from the opportunities that this country presents.

My kids don’t talk to me
They have learned another language, and forgotten Spanish
They think like Americans, they deny that they are Mexicans
even if they have my color

Many first/second generation Americans that end up in the US often find embarrassment in embracing their culture and speaking their native tongue. The father may see this as them switching their loyalty from Mexico to America. Of course he would be worried because due to the discrimination that they face, he fears that his kids will begin to deny their Mexican heritage as a result of internalized racism.

From my work to my house
I do not know what’s happening to me
that although I am a man of home
I hardly go out
Well, I’m afraid they’ll find me
and they can deport me

I am sure that this is not only a Latin American thing, but a custom in those countries is that they boys and men would just stand outside and talking for hours. The narrator is talking about how strange it is for him to stay inside coming right home from work or always have to watch your back, for fear of being caught.

Citations

Family Immigration – United States Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration.html.

“How the U.S. Taught Me That Spanish Was Shameful.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 26 Mar. 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/how-u-s-taught-me-spanish-was-shameful-ncna986746.

Nolan, Rachel, et al. “Cage of Gold, by Rachel Nolan.” Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2020, https://harpers.org/archive/2020/09/cage-of-gold-deportation-history-bracero-program/.

Nunez, Peter K. “Commentary: How U.S. Is Encouraging Illegal Immigration.” Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2019, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/story/2019-06-26/us-encouraging-illegal-immigration.

Radio Turquesa. “Los Tigres Del Norte Tienen Estrella En El Paseo De La Fama.” Radio Turquesa, 27 Dec. 2014, https://radioturquesa.fm/los-tigres-del-norte-tienen-estrella-en-el-paseo-de-la-fama/.

Swan, Betsy. “Republicans Say Forced Labor Is Good for Detained Immigrants in Letter Defending Private Prison.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 19 Mar. 2018, https://www.thedailybeast.com/republicans-say-forced-labor-is-good-for-detained-immigrants-in-letter-defending-private-prison.

Vogue, Ariane de. “Supreme Court Hears Texas’ Challenge to Biden Immigration and Deportation Policies | CNN Politics.” CNN, Cable News Network, 29 Nov. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/politics/texas-supreme-court-immigration/index.html.

 

 

 

Growing up, I have LOVED this song. I would dance to this song in elementary school for our talent show every year. It is so energetic and enlightening, I do not think I have came across any Latino that has disliked this song. I think whether Latino or not, anybody could find inspiration and motivation by the melody and lyrics composed by Celia Cruz.

Today’s song is…

La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz

English Subtitles:

Celia Cruz is famous in the Latino community for her Salsa music, and also bringing in and popularizing this genre in the United States. She is Afro-Cuban and she loved to show off her heritage through her music. Sadly, she passed away in 2003 due to cancer, but her legacy will always and forever live on through her music and her catchphrase “Azucar!”

Let’s look at the lyrics:

Anyone who thinks that life is unfair

Of course, Celia Cruz is referring to the saying “life is unfair”, something that a lot of people know and accept. However, by mentioning this in the song, she wants to let her listeners know that they are not alone in the feeling. I also like to think that this lyric is referring to the struggles in Latin America, more specifically Cuba.

 

That in life, no one is alone, there is always someone

She is basically saying that there is somebody for everybody, so you are never really alone. She probably wrote this thinking about her husband, Pedro Knight, who gave up his career to become her manager.

Oh, there’s no need to cry (No need to cry)
that life is a carnival

 

Carnivals are veryyy popular in Latin American culture. She is telling us to live life as if it were a carnival, have fun and keep pushing forward!

 

And it is more beautiful to live singing

Obviously, Cruz’s profession is to sing, but she knows that her signing and music brings joy to the world. She is telling her audience to follow her and rejoice and spread positivity in the world.

 

Anyone who thinks that life is always cruel
They have to know that it is not so
That there are only bad moments and everything passes

 

A lot of people would consider life to be cruel, but Celia Cruz would protest otherwise. Sure, there are bad moments in life, but without the bad there can be no good. These harsh times will pass soon enough.

 

That in bad times, smile hard, and everything changes

 

This one was a bit difficult to translate, but as I wrote above, it means to smile at the hard times. When you are in a bad situation, it is better to be optimistic and look at it from a good perspective rather than dwelling on the negative. I personally feel that it will make the bad times pass quicker.

 

 

Citations:

Brady, Emily. “Amid the Gravestones, a Final Love Song.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Feb. 2007, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/nyregion/thecity/25celia.html.

“Cuban Nostalgia Havana Carnival 1970 – 1974. Allegorical Float for Parade or Carnival Salsa Dancers by Elena Gantchikova.” Fine Art America, https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cuban-nostalgia-havana-carnival-1970-1974-allegorical-float-for-parade-or-carnival-salsa-dancers-elena-gantchikova.html.

Estevez, Marjua. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao: Celia Cruz’s Most Iconic Looks.” VIBE.com, 21 Oct. 2016, https://www.vibe.com/gallery/celia-cruz-most-iconic-looks/.

“New York Debut! Celia Cruz the Musical, Starring Lucrecia @ Lehman Center, Sat. November 16.” The Riverdale Press, The Riverdale Press, 4 Nov. 2019, https://www.riverdalepress.com/stories/new-york-debut-celia-cruz-the-musical-starring-lucrecia-lehman-center-sat-november-16,70427.

Peggynoonanny/. “The Cuban Regime Is a Defeated Foe.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 18 Dec. 2014, https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cuban-regime-is-a-defeated-foe-1418946550.

“Yo Regresaré: Celia Cruz and Cuban Exile Memory.” Home, https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/january-2023/yo-regresar%C3%A9-celia-cruz-and-cuban-exile-memory.

 

Every Latino knows this song. It is so iconic to the Latino community and it is played at every single party, if you are Latino and you do not know this song… Are you really Latino? Who knew such an upbeat song would carry dark lyrics and an important message to all Latinos.

Today’s song is…

Rebelión by Joe Arroyo

English Subtitles:

Joe Arroyo was a Columbian artist most known for his salsa music. Fun fact about him, he actually spoke Creole, which is a language descendant from the Bantu people. “Rebelión” was his greatest hit and it tells the story about the enslavement of the Africans that were kidnapped and brough to Colombia.

Let’s look at the lyrics:

The streets of Cartagena
that story lived
When those enslavers arrived here
Africans in chains
perpetual slavery

As I have said earlier, this song is the story of enslaved Africans brought to Colombia. This song is like a way to honor the Black people in Latin America, especially Colombia, and to never forget what has occurred.

 

An African marriage
Slaves of a Spaniard
He treated them very badly
And he hit his black woman
And it was there, the handsome black man was revealed
He took revenge for his love
And he still hears himself at the gate
Don’t hit my black woman

The chorus starts when the “master” hits one of the enslaved women, who happens to be the wife of the man telling the story. He comes in to defend her and her dignity; hence “No le pegue a mi negra” (“Do not hit my Black woman”).

Hey, that black woman is to be respected
(Don’t hit the black woman)
Eh, its still heard, its still heard at the gate
(Don’t hit the black woman)

In an interview, Arroyo said that the idea from this song came from a story that he had read when he was in the college of Santo Domingo. It was about the king of a tribe, along with his wife, who were brought to Cartagena, Colombia, and made to work. The man did hard, physical labor, I believe breaking/ picking at rocks, and the wife worked in the house. One day, she had a pot that she accidentally spilled and began to be whipped by her “master”.

No no no no no, don’t hit my black woman anymore
Because my soul gets agitated, my Black woman
(Don’t hit the black woman)

This song is a way to pay homage to the history and culture of the Black people in Colombia. A lot of people take the exclamation “Do not hit my Black woman!” to mean to remember and acknowledge of the disrespect that Black people had endured. Even after all they went through, the culture of Latin America is also composed of and through the Black experience and their heritage.

Literally the rest of the song Joe Arroyo is just repeating the chorus, but he had said in an interview that his intention was to get this verse stuck in our heads every time we heard the song because he did not want people to forget the Black experience.

Citations:

Dawson, contributed by: Eduardo. “Ladinos and Bozales: A Brief Early History of Africans in Colombia: 1500-1800 •.” •, 7 Feb. 2023, https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/perspectives-global-african-history/ladinos-and-bozales-a-brief-early-history-of-africans-in-colombia-1500-1800/.

Fuente, Anna Marie de la. “Joe Arroyo Salsa Biopic ‘Rebellion’ Wraps; Colombia’s Chocquibtown Does Cover on Titular Song (Exclusive).” Variety, Variety, 12 July 2021, https://variety.com/2021/film/global/joe-arroyo-salsa-biopic-rebellion-wraps-colombias-chocquibtown-does-cover-on-titular-song-exclusive-1235017042/.

George, Rachel. “What It Means to Be Black in Colombia.” Travel Noire, 7 Feb. 2019, https://travelnoire.com/black-in-colombia-culture.

“Rebelión.” Spotify, 1 July 2015, https://open.spotify.com/track/3v32VtMTRZbIQJUFsQpeJD.

Wooldridge, Anny. “A Brief History of Cartagena, Colombia.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 30 Apr. 2017, https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/a-brief-history-of-cartagena-colombia/.