November 30, 2012

• Excluded

  You don't have to be Latino to speak Spanish.

  Last night I overcame my more-prudent judgment and decided to roadtrip it up to Dallas (1.5 hours each way) to see a concert. The band was one I knew and have followed for a while. I don't consider myself one of their hardcore fans--let's face it, Reik isn't Shakira.

  

  That's a photo of Reik, btw.

  For some reason, I believed the ticket when it said the concert would start at 8:00 and go through midnight. It was an unfortunate belief on my part. I got through the ticket gate by about 8:20 (after a serious parking debauchle) and waited...and waited...no live music happened until about 11:00. Then there were TWO opening acts: the first, "Auranova" was a band out of LA...I didn't think they were so good. Although they played well and had an acceptable score, something the vocals or the lyrics (or potentially a mismatch betwen the tone of both?) didn't work for me. The second opening act was much better. They're from Torreon, Mexico and there name was "Zeri." It wouldn't surprise me if they end up doing well. I've already subscribed to their Youtube channel. Anyway, both acts were a little more hard rock/heavy metal than the upbeat, pop-rock style that Reik usually sings. Although, Reik is also known for many a sweet, ballad-like love song too. Finally, Reik started playing about midnight.

  I found that I knew (a little) more of their songs than I thought  I did--due in part because I frequently confuse their songs with that of another group, Camila. I did get the four songs that I really wanted to hear them sing, which was a win. On top of that, they NAILED every song (although it appeared at times that the lead singer may have been lip synching). This is a very talented group. And I'm glad I went; the experience was enjoyable for the most part.

  Multiple times throughout the night, though, the band, DJ, or MC-type person would say things like: "Donde esta mi gente de la Raza!" or "Donde estan los latinos?" The group here was probably more than 90% Mexican, chicano, or had strong ties to Mexico (whereas at the Shakira concerts I've attended, even though Mexicans are the majority, there are still sizable showings from South and Central American communities, like Colombia, Ecuador, etc. as well as caucasians). So, every time the question got asked, there was huge response...but not from me. I just kind of wrinkled my face and felt left out in a significant way from the party that was happening around me.

  It doesn't help that I'm 6'3", VERY white and was at least eight inches taller than everyone around me. Out of the 300-400 people who were there, there were probably less than a dozen honkies. I think I saw five (but two of them may have been hispanic chicks who dyed their hair blonde). I stood out.

  While similar phenomena happened at the JLO/Enrique concert and when I saw Shakira years ago, it wasn't quite to that extent. I would love to enjoy Latin pop without feeling like an outsider--especially when I know the words to the songs as well as or better than the people around me.

  Oh well, I can't change my race. I didn't let it get me down because I really did enjoy the concert. Still, a part of me wonders...if we're intending to be a post-racial society, why do we still rely on notions of race/heritage to connect with others? I understand that many people who are part of the same race still share important, common, and relatable experiences within that people-group; but I also think that generalization is less true now than it ever has been. Maybe I'm just impatient...or maybe one's sense of "belonging" is intrinsically tied to the ability to exclude others from a particular group? Mmmm...humans are interesting.

  Has being different ever slightly dampened your enthusiams about a particular event?

  • 12:16 pm
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