The majority of the time I live my life with the utmost pride that I am a Cuban exile, and that I have never been and never will be part and parcel of that communist scourge that plagues the island of my birth. Yet there are moments, very few and very far between, that a profound and all encompassing sense of shame of being a Cuban Exile envelops me.
As I type this, I live in that envelop. Never have I ever felt such embarrassment and such remorse and self-disgust.
I just got off the phone with Emilio Estefan and I will state here publicly, in no uncertain terms, that he and Gloria deserve an apology from each and every one of us for our trampling of their reputations vis-a-vis their upcoming album 90 Millas. I feel ashamed simply for even having the slightest doubt as to their convictions, whether or not I stated these publicly or not.
So here it is, like it or not:
I support Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s new work 90 Millas completely and wholeheartedly and I will not allow any further slander of their persons or conviction on this blog. It seems, my first instinct were 100% correct when Henry posted on this subject last week.
No one here knows what is exactly on that album.
No one here knows what conversations the Estefans had prior, during and after the recording with Carlos Santana.
No one here knows what the album is truly about, who else is featured on same and what the accompanying documentary features and focuses on.
Moreover, you can criticize their music til your hearts content, but as I’ve stated here and elsewhere, the Estefans have been impeccable examples of the Cuban exile community their entire lives and have represented our community and its convictions with dignity, class and honesty, with little or no thought to their professional careers and despite being in an industry where their particular views – our views – are less, much less, than popular and constantly criticized and denigrated.
There are some folks out their who are of the belief that the Estefans dont do enough for the freedom of Cuba given their public exposure and notoriety. To those folks all I can say is you are dead wrong. While they may not be constantly in the news spouting the evils of fidel castro and his regime, they have taken on industries, kings, presidents, the United Nations and countless other people and entities and are always fighting for what all of you here and I are fighting for on a daily basis., only they have been doing so their entire adult lives.
Our passion sometimes get the better of us and when we jump the gun, as in this case, we only hurt ourselves and our cause. And then we certainly live up to that stigma that we are always trying to rectify.
In the words of Emilio: “Some of the comments directed at me and Gloria questioning our convictions as Cubans and as exiles are like mentandome la madre.”
I apologize to Gloria and Emilio, personally, for any discord or detriment this blog may have caused and I hope you all will do the same.
Update: I forgot to menton that Emilio will be issuing a press release tonight or tomorrow regarding this which Ill post as soon as it’s recieved.
Someone mentioned to me that perhaps Emilio may be doing some PR damage control and that perhaps the call and the subsequent media appearances – Emilio was on a phone interview on TV just after speaking to me – are an attempt to diffuse waht could be a major issue regarding 90 Millas. That may be so, but from my conversation and what I took from it, he is more angry about criticisms regarding their convictions from their own community. That said and my conversation being off the record, time will most certainly tell. Should I have been duped or be wrong, Ill be the first to publicly eat crow.
UPDATE: Here’s the press release, just received:
Statement
Por los últimos 32 años de nuestra carrera ha sido extremadamente clara nuestra posición anti-Castrista frente a Presidentes, La Realeza de varios países, el Papa Juan Pablo, la prensa mundial y cualquier persona que haya tocado el tema de Cuba con nosotros. Incluso cuando hubiese sido mas fácil callar hemos expresado nuestro desacuerdo con la dictadura en Cuba y hemos tratado de transmitir el dolor del pueblo Cubano a través del mundo.
Jamás hemos colaborado ni colaboraríamos con ninguna persona que apoye el régimen de Fidel Castro ni al Che Guevara. Eso debería estar completamente claro al ver nuestra trayectoria.
Carlos Santana expresó estas palabras a través de su representante después de su presentación en Los Óscars del 2005:
4/18/2005. The image was not intended to project a single note of the hatred, anger or revolutionary ruthlessness displayed when Che Guevara was a revolutionary leader in Cuba. It was worn to honor the soulful young man portrayed in the movie, who awoke to the struggle of the disenfranchised and who had a profound political epiphany during a journey across South America. The image was not meant to be an endorsement about a man who helped to establish the Castro dictatorship in Cuba.
Quizás algunas personas que vieron su actuación y su vestuario no vieron lo que expreso después al respecto. El Sr. Santana hablo decisivamente durante las entrevistas que se lograron para el documental que acompañara a nuestro nuevo proyecto, “90 Millas” y expreso su deseo de poder actuar en una Cuba Libre.
Gloria y Emilio Estefan
What goes well with crow?
Val, truly spoken from the heart.
Question: Did you learn of anything new about the project that caused you to express such sentiments now?
“Never have I ever felt such embarrassment and such remorse and self-disgust.” — Val
Why?
Did they say that they won’t be doing an album with Santana? Did they say that they had converted Santana to our side? Can we expect an apology from him? What exactly did the Estefans say that has caused this torrent of remorse and self-mortification in you?
You are right: “No one does know.” Only you know.
Would you like to enlighten us, too?
Manuel,
I don’t think Val has to fill us in with the details. We should be able to take him at his word, especially in light of the well written, heartfelt post he just wrote.
Maria Laria’s program this afternoon on Channel 41 was about the Carlos Santana controversy. There were several guests including Cary Roque a well respected journalist who spent several years in Castro’s jails. I only saw the last half hour of the program when Emilio Estefan called in to complain about what was being said. He seemed to be very upset. He was told by Laria and most of her guests that they were not questioning his or Gloria’s patriotism, only their decision to include Santana. Emilio’s response was that the CD also includes a documentary and that he has a taped interview of Santana where he says that he doesn’t support the castro regime and he would like to see a free Cuba. He didn’t say anything about Santana apologizing for his previous support of che Guevara. Emilio also talked about all he and Gloria had done to promote the cause of a free Cuba and said that he called the program when someone called him to tell him that they were badmouthing him and Gloria. Cary Roque read some of the things that Santana had said and Emilio’s response was that many of the things that are reported in the press are not true and some of the other things he was told he had not heard before. He once again said that he has a tape where Santana says that he is not in favor of Castro. Laria invited him to come to her program next week to further explain their position. I don’t think there was a definitive date set. The only person who got into an argument with Emilio was Saavedra, the guy from Vigilia Mambisa, who was also a guest.
If whatever Emilio said is good enough for Val, then I accept it without question. I pretty much stayed out of this one because I wanted to wait until there were facts. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t follow that and signed the petition. I seriously regret that. There’s not much worse you can do than falsely accuse someone. I am shamed.
Robert:
I don’t doubt Val’s sincerity. Nor does La Conchita, for that matter. We simply want to know what has changed. I am glad for his epiphany (although, honestly, Val never did anything but defend the Estefans). But since I don’t think I’ll be running into the Estefans any time soon (unless they appear to me like Jesus did to Thomas), it would be edifying to know the basis for Val’s remorse.
I am glad I did not sign the petition. I think a litttle explaining is all we need . after that, we Will continue supporting the stefans… like always have ,,Ellos son Cubanos de los buenos , de verdad…
Emilio’s response was that the CD also includes a documentary and that he has a taped interview of Santana where he says that he doesn’t support the castro regime and he would like to see a free Cuba. He didn’t say anything about Santana apologizing for his previous support of che Guevara.
Looks like the pink slip to my 66 dodge will remain in my file cabinet, safe and sound.
Te lo dije. Damage control at its finest.
Emilio’s response was that the CD also includes a documentary and that he has a taped interview of Santana where he says that he doesn’t support the castro regime and he would like to see a free Cuba. He didn’t say anything about Santana apologizing for his previous support of che Guevara.
Looks like the pink slip to my 66 dodge will remain in my file cabinet, safe and sound.
Te lo dije. Damage control at its finest.
Normally I would buy and listen to any album of substance entitled 90 millas but if in fact it will have Santana on (who I feel is grossly overrated anyway) I will not be purchasing it. It is a shame that he will be involved unless he does denounce he past offenses. And furthermore why would a tribute to Cuban music need the likes of santana and colon any way. very disappointed in the estefans.
I think we may be confusing the cause for the effect. It is entirely possible that criticisms of the Estefans here and elsewhere may have precipitated their timely conversion of Santana.
Manuel, while that’s possible I think more than likely that Santana made some non-committal general statement of support for the Cuban people. If Santana had denounced Che on film, would Emilio Estefan not have mentioned it when he had the chance on TV today?
Having personally spoken to Santana about Guevara, I can tell you that he’s a true believer.
Manuel, while that’s possible I think more than likely that Santana made some non-committal general statement of support for the Cuban people. If Santana had denounced Che on film, would Emilio Estefan not have mentioned it when he had the chance on TV today?
Having personally spoken to Santana about Guevara, I can tell you that he’s a true believer.
I have to agree with Henry. What Emilio said during his phone call to Laria’s TV program today was not too convincing. I’ll have to wait until I hear more about what Santana really said. Maybe Emilio will be more explicit on the upcoming press release.
And by the way Val, if he’s so upset then he has nobody to blame but himself for not being prepared in advance to answer the questions that this was sure to raise. He deflects the issue and makes it into an attack on his convictions. I am not attacking their convictions, I’m attacking their judgement. Doing anything with Santana is just plain stupid if you are Gloria Freakin’ Estefan.
And by the way Val, if he’s so upset then he has nobody to blame but himself for not being prepared in advance to answer the questions that this was sure to raise. He deflects the issue and makes it into an attack on his convictions. I am not attacking their convictions, I’m attacking their judgement. Doing anything with Santana is just plain stupid if you are Gloria Freakin’ Estefan.
che is an enemy of Cuba. Whether Santana says he wants a free Cuba or not is a non-issue. He needs to make a statement about el che. I have yet to pass judgement on the Estefans, but will do so once I know what his position on che is. No Cuban gets a free pass and this is coming from a Cuban.
We’ll see what is said regarding che then we will either have lots to argue about or lots to celebrate.
Well then…………..Its time that Emilio and Gloria speakup for THEMSELFS. Deja tanto dramatismo para una novela. Tomate una aspirina so you can feel better.
I agree with “Abajofidels” statement. Sorry I was a little sore at you with my response Val. I respect you and your work. De verdad!
If Santana is on the album regardless of his new outlook…I won’t buy it.
He shouldn’t have been on it in the first place.
Frankly, I’m sick to death of these people always wanting to capitalize on their heritage and then being offended when they are criticized. I’m the one who’s angry because Gloria/Emilio didn’t have the sensitivity to know what controversy this would cause.
Are there no talented Cuban musicians who they could have used? Please spare me the crocodile tears.
I go back and forth.
I really hate when we tear down one of own, especially one that have been as successful as the Estefan’s and who have represented us so well here in the U.S.
But…
if this album had any other focus except for Cuba then I wouldn’t particulary have a problem with the Estefan’s using Santana. It is obvious some just doing a simple google image search that Emilio and Santana are friends and a collaboration doesnt seem so far-fetched.
Unfortunately when you call the album 90 millas and you put the focus squarely on the island then you open yourself up to criticism. If you use someone who is a known Che or Fidel sympathizer then you expose yourself to the critics. It is as simple as that.
It shouldn’t go much farther then a mistake on the Estfan’s part. We shouldn’t question their loyality to the exile community. This should just be viewed as a PR snafu and they should move on.
For the record here’s the actual entire statement made by Santana’s management on his official site.
http://www.santana.com/news/archives_detail.asp?NewsID=564&More=1
4/18/2005, At this year’s Academy Awards, Carlos Santana was invited to perform, along with Antonio Banderas, the winner of Best Original Song: “Al Otro Lado Del Dio” from The Motorcycle Diaries, a movie based on a nonfiction novel, the “Motorcycle Diaries” by Ernesto Guevara de la Serna and “Traveling With Che Guevara” by Alberto Granado. For that occasion, Carlos Santana wore a shirt with a Che Guevara image from a famous graphic poster underneath his suit. The image was not intended to project a single note of the hatred, anger or revolutionary ruthlessness displayed when Che Guevara was a revolutionary leader in Cuba. It was worn to honor the soulful young man portrayed in the movie, who awoke to the struggle of the disenfranchised and who had a profound political epiphany during a journey across South America. The image was not meant to be an endorsement about a man who helped to establish the Castro dictatorship in Cuba.
Carlos Santana has always preached non-violence and spiritual awakening to promote a consciousness evolution, not revolution. The film and book portrayed Che as a person who cared about the poor and the needy. Santana Management hopes that those people who were offended by the image will understand the intention in which Carlos displayed it.
This is what I call a non-apology apology. First of all it’s a statement from his management not from Santana and does not even include a quote from Santana.
Secondly the words “regret” or “sorry” are conspicuously absent, you see it’s our interpretation of what wearing the T-shirt means that’s wrong, not the wearing of the t-shirt.
Thirdly, on February 11th 2006, (almost full year after this statement was made I had the opportunity to chat with Santana about Guevara and he was far from apologetic. When he saw my “Che’s Dead t-shirt.” he said “He may be dead but he’s alive in my heart.”
Now as far as the Estefans go, nobody here has accused them of being communist or pro-fidel but the statement that they would never collaborate with someone that is pro-guevara is blatantly false in light of what I have just written.
They fucked up, plain and simple. When they admit that they made a mistake inviting that che-loving marijuanero to play on Gloria’s album, then I will forgive them. But until then it’s all just damage control and spin.
They are losing my respect by the minute.
For the record here’s the actual entire statement made by Santana’s management on his official site.
http://www.santana.com/news/archives_detail.asp?NewsID=564&More=1
4/18/2005, At this year’s Academy Awards, Carlos Santana was invited to perform, along with Antonio Banderas, the winner of Best Original Song: “Al Otro Lado Del Dio” from The Motorcycle Diaries, a movie based on a nonfiction novel, the “Motorcycle Diaries” by Ernesto Guevara de la Serna and “Traveling With Che Guevara” by Alberto Granado. For that occasion, Carlos Santana wore a shirt with a Che Guevara image from a famous graphic poster underneath his suit. The image was not intended to project a single note of the hatred, anger or revolutionary ruthlessness displayed when Che Guevara was a revolutionary leader in Cuba. It was worn to honor the soulful young man portrayed in the movie, who awoke to the struggle of the disenfranchised and who had a profound political epiphany during a journey across South America. The image was not meant to be an endorsement about a man who helped to establish the Castro dictatorship in Cuba.
Carlos Santana has always preached non-violence and spiritual awakening to promote a consciousness evolution, not revolution. The film and book portrayed Che as a person who cared about the poor and the needy. Santana Management hopes that those people who were offended by the image will understand the intention in which Carlos displayed it.
This is what I call a non-apology apology. First of all it’s a statement from his management not from Santana and does not even include a quote from Santana.
Secondly the words “regret” or “sorry” are conspicuously absent, you see it’s our interpretation of what wearing the T-shirt means that’s wrong, not the wearing of the t-shirt.
Thirdly, on February 11th 2006, (almost full year after this statement was made I had the opportunity to chat with Santana about Guevara and he was far from apologetic. When he saw my “Che’s Dead t-shirt.” he said “He may be dead but he’s alive in my heart.”
Now as far as the Estefans go, nobody here has accused them of being communist or pro-fidel but the statement that they would never collaborate with someone that is pro-guevara is blatantly false in light of what I have just written.
They fucked up, plain and simple. When they admit that they made a mistake inviting that che-loving marijuanero to play on Gloria’s album, then I will forgive them. But until then it’s all just damage control and spin.
They are losing my respect by the minute.
The press release and Santana’s comments leave me more confused then before…You can’t separate the “soulful young man” from the movie and the ruthless executioner from real life….
Angel,
You’re not confused. You are correct. You can’t separate them. And to collaborate with that jerk is D-U-M-B, Dumb if you are as important to our community as Gloria.
Angel,
You’re not confused. You are correct. You can’t separate them. And to collaborate with that jerk is D-U-M-B, Dumb if you are as important to our community as Gloria.
Val,
cheer up;) mojo sauteed crow might just be delicious. As for the Estefans that was just plain lame. Why bother with the press release. I guess I’ll wear a hitler t-shirt to express how well an actor portrayed a butcher. That would really fly. Its all about the money. Thanks Gloria, but no thanks. Whoever buys the music is putting money in a che lovers pocket in santana.
I’m sure Hitler, Idi Amin, Mussolini, Franco, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier, or even castro, could be portrayed as soulful young men. But don’t their countless crimes stand out above any supposed sentimentality?
Please, don’t continue to insult my intelligence.
I don’t question the Estefan’s love of Cuba, but I do question their judgment and ability to gauge the pain and frustration in this community. I applaud their success and hope it continues, but let’s face it they do live in a privileged bubble.
I think it was Manuel Tellechea who predicted this in the original thread.
I think is a non issue but the extent that Emilio did damage control shows how much power to sway public opinion this and many other blogs have. I always said paren de comer mierda con este tema. Its just good to see that your voices and concerns were heard.
As I correctly discerned in the previous thread and as the Estefan’s statement amply demonstrates, Gloria and Emilio have lost touch with their community. They inhabit other circles now where unctuous hypocrisy, double-standards and double-dealing are the norm. Gloria and Emilio no longer know how to feel like Cubans.
As for Santana, why not wear a Hitler tee-shirt to represent the young artist, sensitive youth and war hero; the lover of certain children and German shepherds? Surely you can separate this Hitler from the mass murderer and psychopath. If you can do it for “Che” Guevara, you can do it for Hitler.
Val:
I hope that now you can channel that deep, deep empathy for the Estefans to that abused little girl, Elián’s spiritual sister, who is more deserving of our unconditional support than this triad of hypocrites.
All this still smell like good old dollars to me.
A CD called “90 Miles” should have the participation of Cuban artist only, and there are many of them and very talented. Regardless of Santana corrupted mentality he had no business in that project. So the only question left is what market are the Estefans trying to conquest now with the inclusion of Santana in it. He probably doesn’t even know the meaning of “noventa millas”.
As to the Estefan the only thing that can cross my mind now is “Carajo… verdad que la cagaron esta vez”.
By the way, I am an always be very dam proud of being Cuban, no shame on it ever. And if one of my own that I always portrayed as an example for our community do or say something despicable I think that the community have all the right to stand up and denounce it
Amen, I agree that it should have been all Cuban musicians contributing. It’s called 90 frickin millas. What does carlos santana and willie colon have to do with or understand about “90 millas” If it wasn’t about Cuba I would not be as bent out of shape. Why don’t we make a tribute to the golden age of Cuba before the revolution and have a bunch of communists contribute to it?
Vic,
I agree with almost everything your wrote except that the album should have only included Cuban artists. It should include any artist that they deem worthy that expresses solidarity with the people of Cuba regardless of their nationality. There would be nothing better than a record of international superstars that condemn fidel and che and their robolucion.
Vic,
I agree with almost everything your wrote except that the album should have only included Cuban artists. It should include any artist that they deem worthy that expresses solidarity with the people of Cuba regardless of their nationality. There would be nothing better than a record of international superstars that condemn fidel and che and their robolucion.
Imagine if the Goldman family saw someone wearing an OJ Simpson jersey. Do you think they would have accepted an reply of “Well, I am wearing this jersey because it represents the gifted athlete that ran te ball for USC and the Buffalo Bills, not the double murderer”. Think that would have flown?
Val,
I think you should re-name this post to “we’ve been had” or “I hung my head in shame but shouldn’t have.”
Val,
I think you should re-name this post to “we’ve been had” or “I hung my head in shame but shouldn’t have.”
Angel, Great analogy. Although I think the Hitler analogy is valid, people don’t relate to it like they might with OJ.
Angel, Great analogy. Although I think the Hitler analogy is valid, people don’t relate to it like they might with OJ.
I’m not surprised by Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s decision to use Santana in their new Cuba themed CD. This is the not first time that they have rubbed their own community the wrong way when money was in the way. Does anyone remember the MIDEM controversy back in 1997? When Gloria shot a damaging letter off to the Miami Herald, because the Cuban community didn’t want MIDEM that international music industry organization in Miami for a conference that year, since MIDEM wanted to bring official performers from Cuba to Miami? Gloria–to the detriment of the Miami community, since the mainstream media jumped on this quicker than a pack of wolves jump on a wounded fawn– spinned the issue around and cloaked herself in the banner of outraged citizen angry at the Cuban exile troglodytes who were squelching “freedom of expression!” The media of course turned Gloria Estefan into one of the so-called “moderates” of the Cuban community in the company of people like Max Castro, Alfredo Duran, Lisandro Perez, etc..
And she allowed them to do this. In fact, I saw her in an interview some time afterwards in which she again spoke about “freedom of expression,” and thus le hizo en jueguito a la prensa anti-exilada.
Excuse me if I am a little hesitant when it comes to Glorita.
Ziva,
The petition I created was based on FACTS. Is carlos santana going to be on the album? YES! Did he wear the shirt with the infamous che picture? YES! This is the same carlos santana that told Henry that “che guevara is alive in his heart.” Do you think that when santana thinks of che guevara he is able to seperate the young che from the mass murderer we all know? I even included two links in my petition. One was the link that showed santana wearing the shirt and the other was to Gloria’s website showing the press release clipping anouncing who were the collaborators. Everything in my petition is factual.
Henry:
Actually, the title of this thread is correct now as it stands. It wasn’t before.
Hey a new song for Gloria “The che gets in the way”. Its a joke okay. Relax Val, your loyalty was VALiant, but don’t get blinded by it. I as well am proud to be Cuban and no ones actions will ever change that.
In all seriousness. The only thing right for her to do is to say “I screwed up” and cut her losses. Everyone would forgive and realize that she is human and makes ignorant mistakes as well.
Better to lose a few bucks over an album rather than compromise a reputation of standing against wrong.
I agree with Manuel and Hendry on this one. Val, you know we have spoken a lot these last couple of days and I respect you. I think you still have your eyes slightly closed on this one. Since when have we given someone a pass about associating themselves with a che-lover? Especially someone at the level the Estefans are at. I go back to what we said on the post, we took on Target, Cingular, and other entities about their che gear and WON. Gloria is no different, in fact, she is on a lower base than these stores because she knows better. Like what Henry said earlier, nobody is acussing them as being communist. They just fu*ked up !! Plain and simple. Move on.
What tastes good with the crow is the “90 Millas” CD.
This should teach us once and for all that there are no sacred cows, whether they are politicians, artists, journalists, athletes or just plain people.
We live in a free country where we have the right to express our opinions and criticize anything or anyone who we honestly feel is worthy of our criticism. No need to insult anyone, but no need to express regret either when we voice our opinions about something that we do not consider proper or correct. Everyone can make a mistake, and I think that the Estefans are human and entitled to make their share of mistakes just like the rest of us. What I find regrettable is their trying to justify their mistake by apologizing for a moron like Carlos Santana, instead of accepting that they screwed up and trying to correct what is definetly wrong. Many of the people who admire the Estefans have had a close relative or a dear friend murdered by the Argentinean terrorist. I am sure that they will reject the Estefan’s press release, as I do.
“It appears that selling more than 90 million albums and winning ten Grammy awards hasn’t been quite enough to make Carlos Santana want to retire in the lap of luxury on a beach somewhere. Instead, the musician (who will be 60 in July if you can believe it) along with his wife, Deborah, plan to convert three existing restaurants in Northern California into a new chain featuring authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurants will be named Maria Maria, after his Grammy-winning song. (should call it chi chi’s or even che che’s)
The atmosphere in the restaurants will apparently be inspired by his music, which means that if you are a Santana fan like myself you will probably want to start lining up at the door now. They are planning to open their first location in Walnut Creek, CA in April, followed by Mill Valley in May and Santa Rosa in June.”
btw that was a quote from a website. I am not a Santana fan. My input was the che che’s.
There is something for which Val does deserve credit: the honesty and immediacy with which he admitted that he had been wrong. Others would have tried to go around that fact over and over again till they sunk it in the ground and it disappeared. To his credit Val offered no excuses for his lapse in judgment, but took his punches like a man. And, no, he definitely doesn’t have to eat crow. What was that whole post but a meal of crow?
okay new can of worms. What about the others who should be guilty by association? What do we say about Garcia, Sandoval, etc? They should be held accountable as well, no?
63 more tourists fall ill with food poisoning in Cuba! Should have gone to cancun.
I’ve always considered the Estefans to be straight shooters and down to earth people. That’s what makes their press release so disappointing. I don’t doubt their anti-castro anti-che feelings for a second, but they’re not being honest with us by buying into the statement by Santana’s management. They can’t be THAT naive.
Of course, I will leave them a tiny benefit of the doubt because we haven’t heard what Santana said in the interview for the documentary accompanying the CD. Believe me though…it’s only a tiny sliver.
As has been mentioned several times in this thread, we’ve criticized, we’ve gotten some answers. Now let’s move on.
I’m not going to bash nor question the Estefans, as I stated before I believe Santana is being used is to broaden the market. As a natural born capitalist, I see no problem nor moral quarm if this is their reason. If this is not the reason, or if you are not satisfied with opening the market, then may I just say that we need to have faith in our people.
What we should be blogging about is Santana’s hypcracy. I am now under the opinion that Santana is doing this to try to redeem himself to the Cuban-American audience.
If this is the case, then it’s feasable to believe that he has really stated that he wants to play in a free Cuba. But which Cuba are we talking about, mr. guevara’s new-man-Cuba or a deomocratic Cuba of the Cuban people?
And what does he mean by free? Is it free from an embargo, or free from this failed ideology. Or perhaps Santana is one of those hippocrites who loves mr. guevara but hates castro.
Let’s question Santana and demand why he would even consider being on this album, and let’s have faith in our own people.
I have had veterans of the Bay of Pigs and releatives who have signed for a loved one who were killed by the castro regime sign my petition. I may be a hardliner, but this is a major mistake by the Estefans. We constantly critize the MSM, but the Estefans should have known better. What about Willie Colon being on the album? The same Colon who bashed the Estefans ( http://www.analitica.com/va/entretenimiento/quepasa/1459882.asp) and treated our Cuban queen, Celia Cruz, like shit in Puerto Rico ( http://mariaargeliavizcaino.com/e-celiacruz.html). Does he get a pass also?
Val & Henry:
Well, at least you have a subject for the Babalú Radio Hour tomorrow. That will certainly be some desahogo.
I don’t think he wanted to be on the album. I think the Estefans asked him to participate in their album. We have critizied, but the answers have been lame.
Val and Henry…Suggestion …
Mañana open the show with callers participating inmmediately….live interaction from the very begginning …everything has been said in these two blogs today….Speak out tommorrow….. Also try to get in touch with Emilios agent , tell them to call in babalu show to talk to us directly , 1 million listeners possibly…also call Santanas agent to see if any of them wish to address the cuban community via radio…..
Para eso son los talk shows para debatir….Sinceramente creo que seria un palo tener a Gloria o a Emilio… pero por favor no traigan al impostor Vice Presidente Gore or Jack Nicholson haciendose pasar por Emilio o carlos, that will be a very low move… only a suggestion
Songuacassal,
Interesting and gutsy comment. It is definitely a marketing strategy on the Estefans’ part, but they have contradicted their own beliefs. That’s what’s being criticized here.
I’m sure you’re going to receive a little heat for having faith in the Estefans. Nevertheless, your call for faith in our own people has a lot of merit and I respect you for stating it.
What does Santana claiming to support a free Cuba have to do with his idolatry of an assassin? The Estefans have reiterated their support of a free Cuba but at what point did or will Santana state that he realizes that che contributed to what Cuba has become? Has he been smoking pot so long that he has been rendered incapable of making the connection between the two? I mean, really, does Gloria really need him to sell her records? I’d have bought a tribute to Cuba album but if Santana’s on it, forget it. I won’t even let his songs play on the radio when they come on.
Tio, you know that I have loved Gloria Estefan since I was a little girl, but I have to side with Henry on this one. I think the Estefans messed up, and are simply doing some damage control. Emilio states in his press release “Jamás hemos colaborado ni colaborarÃÂÂamos con ninguna persona que apoye el régimen de Fidel Castro ni al Che Guevara. Eso deberÃÂÂa estar completamente claro al ver nuestra trayectoria.”
We know about Santana’s history regarding guevara, and that was only further clarified by Henry’s exchange with him a year ago. Conclusión: Emilio’s statement is a lie.
I do agree that we don’t know what the Estefans have, did, or will discuss with Santana in reference to che, but if he’s “converted”, for lack of a better word, HE should be the one issuing a press release and apologizing for his past remarks about guevara. He can state his desire to play in a free Cuba all he wants, but that does not change his regard for guevara, and consequently, contradicts said desire.
p.s. you have nothing to hang your head in shame about. It was not your post (not that Henry has to hang his head, I’m just sayin’), and as Americans, we have the right to express our opinions. At no time, while expressing that opinion, did you insult the Estefans. No need for apologies, I think.
Ray’s incisive comment @ 9:41 PM proves that nothing happens in a vacuum and suggests that perhaps the Estefans’ insult to our community is the culmination of a process rather than an isolated incident.
What shall we call this process — “de-Cubanization?” Except, of course, when there is a buck to be made by being Cuban again.
Robert:
Val’s faith in the Estefans was misplaced. You might even say betrayed. It is Val more than anyone else who has a right to be angry. What was Emilio’s call but a shameless attempt to involve (and, yes, use) Val in this sordid business?
I urge everyone to read therealcuba’s comment at 9:54.
I urge everyone to read therealcuba’s comment at 9:54.
Folks, I just picked this up off the net. It is a new press release from Estefan Productions. See below.
MARCH 27, 2007 – 23:11
THE FOLLOWING IS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY EMILIO AND GLORIA ESTEFAN IN RESPONSE TO THE CONCERNS VOICED OVER THE APPEARANCE OF CARLOS SANTANA ON THEIR NEW ALBUM.
Fans and friends of the Estefans: Gloria and Emilio offer you the following explanation for their decision to use Carlos Santana on their new CD, 90 Millas. They hope this will explain their reasoning and will quell your concerns, once and for all.
$$$$, $$$ $$$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$; $$$$ $$ $$ $$$$. $$, $$$$$$ $$$$ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$–$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$$$ $$–$$$$ $$$$$$$$$ $$$ $ $$$$$$ $$ $$$$$$$ $$ $$$$$$ $$$. $$$ $$$ $$$$$$$ $$ $ $$ $ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$$? $$ $$$$$$ $$$ $$ $ $$$$$$$ $$ $ $$ $ $$$$$$ $$ $$$$$$$$$ $ $$$$$!
$$$$, $$$$$$$$$, $$$$$$$ $$$ $$$$$$$ $$$$$$ $$$ $$$$$$ $$$$ ($$$$$$ $$$$$$ $ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$$) $$$$ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$$$$$$$ $$$ $$$$$$. $$$$ $$$$ $$$$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$ $$$$$$$$.
Thank you, Gloria and Emilio
I second that comment, AMEN.
Pototo,
It’s hard to know what the other contributors knew and when they knew it. Santana may only appear on one song. A song the others didn’t participate on. We’d need to find out more.
Pototo,
It’s hard to know what the other contributors knew and when they knew it. Santana may only appear on one song. A song the others didn’t participate on. We’d need to find out more.
El mundo esta llegando a su fin. Ya las cosas no son blanco y negro . Ahora son amarillas, verdes, azules, rojas. Ningun pelotero se queda en su equipo de grandes ligas de por vida como Dale Murphy,Carl Ripken … Hoy estoy aqui , mañana alli, following the big buck.. Los valores se han perdido totalmente. Vieron lo que le hicieron a las Damas de blanco hace unos dias . les garantizo antes de fin de año pudieramos toparnos a alguien que estuvo en ese acto de repudio tomandose un cafesito en Versalles. Cualquier persona que salga de cuba en un bote hoy y llegue aqui pudo haber sido un tremendo comunista alla y un chivaton …Creo q en el caso de Gloria y Emilio estamos haciendo much about nothing , lo mismo paso con Sergio Vargas y los muchachos de Zol 95 y adonde quedo eso? La estatua deFidel de NY … etc… y con todo esto Cuba sigue jodida, con los comunistas ahi riendose de nosotros..
A veces todo esto cansa y da ganas de vomitar TODO ESTO…Fidel corp , our exilio todo apesta a sulfur
There are exceptons of course, but generally speaking I think people expect too much from entertainers. That being said, pass my plate of crow, and a little mojo criollo, and rum would make it easier to swallow. I’m very disappointed with their statement. It’s an insult really. Did they honestly think no one would care about this, especially an album titled 90 Millas?
PilotAl:
That’s one dollar sign ($) for every million.
I disagree Abajofidel. We don’t have to make anything, the Estefans did already. I don’t understand why it’s no big deal to some people. Why ask Burlington Coat Factory to take off the racks the che shirt? They didn’t bother us, just don’t go to the store. Why ask Cingular to stop selling the che graphic? Just don’t go to cingular.com and look for it. We do all of this because we are trying to educate people. The samething is going on here. We have to educate people on the mistake that Gloria and crew committed. They are not on a higher pedestal just because they are Cuban. They are going to be held accountable just like any of the others in the past.
You want to laugh? They sent that statement to Val and he told them that we’d call bullshit on it. He was very disappointed in the Estefans when we spoke this evening and he was angry that he won’t be driving my 1966 Dodge. I promised him the pink slip if Santana denounced Guevara in the documentary that accompanies the CD. It’s obvious that he didn’t denounce Guevara otherwise Estefan would have said so.
I smelled the bad odor coming from this story when Freedom4Cuba sent me the first email. I said on the radio show that I was angry at them for putting themselves and us in this situation.
The bright side is we proved again the power of the blogosphere. You think that Channel 41 picks up the story and does a whole show about it if it wasn’t in the blogs first?
You want to laugh? They sent that statement to Val and he told them that we’d call bullshit on it. He was very disappointed in the Estefans when we spoke this evening and he was angry that he won’t be driving my 1966 Dodge. I promised him the pink slip if Santana denounced Guevara in the documentary that accompanies the CD. It’s obvious that he didn’t denounce Guevara otherwise Estefan would have said so.
I smelled the bad odor coming from this story when Freedom4Cuba sent me the first email. I said on the radio show that I was angry at them for putting themselves and us in this situation.
The bright side is we proved again the power of the blogosphere. You think that Channel 41 picks up the story and does a whole show about it if it wasn’t in the blogs first?
*sigh* ……… Out here this mess is better known as a tempest in a teapot.
It’s very hard to do a followup act on everything that’s been said, but my reminder is that this is about money.
I’m with Mavi: “Are there no talented Cuban musicians who they could have used?” SURE there are.
Is Santana a convert/petinent of any sort? Sure you must be SMOKING….!
Are the Estefans going to throw any of their music/artist compadres under the bus? NEVER EVER. You don’t eat your own, you know.
It’s nice to see the Estefans succeed with the “Cuban exile” badge of honor and all that, but – get real – they are first and foremost about El Bisne. See, it’s capitalism at its best; we don’t do politics, we do business. If the fans disagree, they can refuse to pay for the CD. Simple, easy, painless. And while we fuss and wring our hands, Santana and his cucara-Ches are laughing all the way to the bank.
Artists who collaborate with each other rarely take issue with political views — or moral values for that matter. It’s about THE Art and what we can $ell with it; “nos respetamos” y a viaje. Look at Picasso, Wagner, even Babs (aka B.S.) Streisand.
And Val, I can only offer you Celia’s words:
“A ese CROW que te atormenta
Echale Limon y Menta.”
You’re a good man; just truck along with more important issues.
Guys, we really need to put this whole thing into perspective. What Ziva says is right; we sometimes do expect too much from entertainers.
Emilio Estefan is, first and foremost, a business man, and he’s quite a successful one at that. He releases albums so that he can make money. There is nothing wrong with that; it is an honest, decent, and in his case, an extremely lucrative business. All it takes is simple math: Add in the additional amount of CD sales the album will have, in the entire world, due to the fact that Carlos Santana (who is enjoying a resurgence in his career) is going to be on it, and then subtract the number of CD sales that will not occur, in Miami, due to the fact that Carlos Santana (who is a che loving marijuanero)is on it. Without a calculator I can tell you that the world-wide sales beat out the Miami non-sales by an astronomical margin.
We can put Emilio and Gloria on a pedestal, but the truth is they release albums to make money and their decision was based on this fact. It doesn’t really matter if it is right or wrong, as long as it makes money.
Personally, I have never really cared for their music, have never owned one of their CDs and have no intention of buying this one, with or without Santana. But if I look at this from a business point of view, it’s a no-brainer.
Santana = $$$$$$$
Maybe they’ll use the money for good things, maybe they won’t. It’s their money and they earned it; they can do with it what they like. The problem with putting people you don’t know, other than what you have seen on TV, magazines, or heard on the radio, on pedestals is that sooner or later, they’re going to disappoint you.
You know what? I sell advertising to make money. And you know what else? If they ask me to make an ad with Che Guevara on it I tell them hell no.
I did work for several years for a hotel chain that had properties in Cuba. It was a mistake. It was before I became active in Cuban-American affairs before I really began to think about the issues but it was a mistake. I wouldn’t do it again.
And I’m not going to blame myself for expecting more from these people. They fucked up not me. Of course we don’t have to buy the record. But the point is that normally I would want to buy the record. And now I can’t enjoy it. It’s like being betrayed by a friend.
I could probably forgive the friend but I’d need an admission to the betrayal and an apology.
You know what? I sell advertising to make money. And you know what else? If they ask me to make an ad with Che Guevara on it I tell them hell no.
I did work for several years for a hotel chain that had properties in Cuba. It was a mistake. It was before I became active in Cuban-American affairs before I really began to think about the issues but it was a mistake. I wouldn’t do it again.
And I’m not going to blame myself for expecting more from these people. They fucked up not me. Of course we don’t have to buy the record. But the point is that normally I would want to buy the record. And now I can’t enjoy it. It’s like being betrayed by a friend.
I could probably forgive the friend but I’d need an admission to the betrayal and an apology.
Sorry I change the subject but I really like this idea …anyone agree? ..esta en español y viene de Aldo, http://www.nuevoaccion.com
Otra vez Nuevo Acción lanza una idea y una exhortación a los líderes de la disidencia interna y al movimiento de periodistas independientes dentro de Cuba y solicita de los colegas del exterior su solidaridad para reclamar lo mismo en conjunto, con la esperanza de adelantar en la lucha por la libertad del pueblo cubano.
Las Damas de Blanco se han convertido en un símbolo respetado a escala internacional y después de la valiente actitud de los eurodiputados del Partido Radical Transnacional, acompañando a las Damas en su caminata dominical, éstas no pueden ser avasalladas, ni ser víctimas de la represión de la dictadura, sin que ásta tenga que pagar un alto precio por ello. Por eso les pedimos a todos los cabezas de grupos disidentes que el próximo domingo y en domingos sucesivos acompañen a estas valientes cubanas, en silencio en su caminata dominical. No tienen que sumarse al movimiento de las Damas de Blanco. No tienen que unirse a otra agrupación. Simplemente sólo estarían allí en silencio, al lado de estas mujeres con pantalones, para demostrar al pueblo de Cuba, y al mundo, que también los hombres cubanos saben marchar al lado de las mujeres cuando de reclamar libertad se trata.
Piensen la repercusión que tendría para nuestra causa que el próximo domingo, en la puerta de la iglesia a que asisten las Damas antes de su caminata, estuvierse Oswaldo Payá con diez de sus seguidores, los dirigentes de la Asamblea para Promover la Sociedad Civil, en número de diez, Vladimiro Roca con otros nueve seguidores, “Coco” Fariñas acompañado de otros nueve periodistas independientes, el Partido Liberal Cubano, que del que he oido hoy una declaración diciendo que tiene más de 1,200 miembros activos en Cuba, que hiciera acto de presencia con un poco menos que el uno por ciento de su membresía, llevando 12 personas.Y así los demás partidos y agrupaciones llevando cada uno un mínimo de cinco o diez personas. No tendrían que mezclarse. Cada uno podría permanecer en su núcleo. No habría consignas, ni discursos. Sólo el caminar en silencio al lado de las dignas Damas de Blanco, que reclaman la libertad de los presos políticos cubanos. Nadie perdería su protagonismo, ni su lideratura. Pero todos ganarían en estatura como conductores de sus grupos y estarían predicando con el ejemplo, para que el resto de la población comenzara, poco a poco a perder el miedo y se sintiera obligada a respaldar a los hombres que respaldarán con su presencia a las Damas.
Hagan la prueba una vez. Un sólo domingo. Una sóla caminata. Tal vez la proxima vez, en lugar de diez de cada grupo, va a haber quince y así se podría comenzar a mover la bola de nieve arrasadora.
¿Quién dijo que la resistencia pacífica, es quedarse encerrado en su torre de márfil, escribiendo documentos? Resistencia pacífica es un acto como el que proponemos. En silencio. Acompañando solidariamente a unas mujeres cubanas que cargan sobre sus hombros la dignidad que falta a muchos. Gandhi y Martin Luther King, no aguardaron en sus “torres de márfil”, que los acontecimientos se desarrollaran por sí solos, ni el imponderable de la muerte de alguien para lograr sus propósitos. En política eso no tiene sentido. Ellos salieron a la calle, en actitud pacífica, pero retadora. Ya va siendo hora de que los que quieran seguir sus pasos sean consecuentes con lo que predican.
No les estamos queriendo dirigir a control remoto desde fuera. Pero le estamos aconsejando una estrategia lógica, que los sacaría de su inmovilismo y aprovecharía una conjunción favorable, que puede significar un vuelco en el prolongado status quo que sólo favorece a la tiranía. ¡ Que bello espectáculo ver marchar al lado de Laura, a Martha Beatriz! Que ejemplo nos darían si nos enteráramos mañana que caminaron uno del lado del otro Payá, Fariñas, Vladimiro, Gómez Manzano y otros líderes. Sería como rememorar aquellos años de gesta cuando los muchachos bajaban la escalinata universitaria hermanados, sin distingos partidistas. Cuba está pidiendo a gritos un gesto solidario. Nadie los está empujando a que se inmolen. Es sólo un pequeño paso, en un largo camino. Pero hay que comenzar a andar. YA ES HORA.
Va siendo hora de que dejemos a un lado los personalismos y las capillas, tanto allá, como aquí. Hagamos de esto un clamor, para que llegue fuerte a Cuba y no sea la idea aislada de un periódico digital. Sino el pedido de muchos que ayudamos y le servimos de eco a sus denuncias. Esto no sería el triunfo de Nuevo Acción, ni de su director, que a nada aspira y que está de vuelta de todos los caminos. Vamos todos a empujar juntos para ver que pasa. Les regalo la idea.
This is what’s going to happen to the Estefans now, because our community, whatever it is, isn’t stupid and it does not worship success or money if these are obtained at our country’s expense. Not that I am necessarily advocating it, but there will be a boycott of the Estefans to rival anything before or after. Their CDs will be crushed by steamrollers. Radio stations in Miami will refuse to play their music (a blessing that). They will be lambasted every day and every night on Spanish talk radio. Other Cuban entertainers will regard them like poison. Gloria and Emilio will become the Dixie Chicks of the Cuban-American community, which will mean more Grammys but fewer sales for them.
On the positive side (for them) they will become the darlings of the liberal political and cultural establishments and symbols of the “intolerance and censorship” practiced by those “un-American” Cuban exiles. And then the duo will join Santana in a triumphal tour of the island-prison. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gloria recording her next CD with Milanés or Silvio Rodríguez; perhaps even with that substantial Argentine named Mercedes Sosa (or something like that). Perhaps they might even end-up with a “Distinción de Cultura” and change their band’s name to the “Miami Mafia.” But I better stop here before Val comes to their defense again.
Stay tuned. The worst is yet to come. And, remember, I was right before.
Manuel did you use to partipate as comentator in Oscar Corrals Blog some time ago… I remmember seeing your name there?
abajofidel:
I have always used my own name and there isn’t another Manuel A. Tellechea.
I agree that the liberal media will make them heroes and us the villains. Par for the course. That’s why I was upset when I first learned of this. There’s no backtracking for them now.
One question to those who think we shouldn’t hold them up on a pedestal: Would Celia Cruz record a song about Cuba with Santana?
I agree that the liberal media will make them heroes and us the villains. Par for the course. That’s why I was upset when I first learned of this. There’s no backtracking for them now.
One question to those who think we shouldn’t hold them up on a pedestal: Would Celia Cruz record a song about Cuba with Santana?
just checking thanks , man
Simply a matter of being able to separate the careers from the album. Career of working for and supporting the cause of a free Cuba: good. Collaborating with Santanaand then later putting out a press release to the effect of “we have been victimized”: bad.
All Santana/Estefan say in that press release is that you can somehow divide Che into two different human beings (before and after Fidel), that his wearing a post=Fidel Che image ought to be interpreted as a rejection of Fidel, and that Santana would very much like to have Cuba free so he can (surprise) perform there.
I won’t hate the Estefans. I won’t think bad things about them. I just won’t spend my money on this one very bad decision they made. If you want to send them a message with your money, don’t boycott the Estefans altogether.
Instead, go out there and buy copies of Mi Tierra or Abriendo Puertas or Alma Caribena or whatever the hell else. Show that you love the music and you love the intentions, but that you’re not blind and you realize a product not deserving of your support has been produced.
Henry:
Speaking of Celia, that’s exactly the mantle that Gloria Estefan wanted to assume. Pero le queda demasiado corto.
I read the quote of Carlos Sanatana in the press release and there is nothing good there. Let’s look at this rationally:
CARLOS IN 2005 STATED:
“The image was not intended to project a single note of the hatred, anger or revolutionary ruthlessness displayed when Che Guevara was a revolutionary leader in Cuba.”
Carlos cannot seperate the acts of Che from the image which portrays communism where the means justifies the end. Carlos cannot control the image because the image he wore with pride speaks loaudly of (1) anti-Americanism, (2)Anti-Capitalism, and (3)the deadly acts of a mad mad engulfed with a rage fueled by the Lenenist brainwashing.
FURTHER MORE THE CARLOS QUOTE STATES:
“It was worn to honor the soulful young man portrayed in the movie, who awoke to the struggle of the disenfranchised and who had a profound political epiphany during a journey across South America.”
It was worn to honor an soulful young man??!?!?!?!? Who el che? Who shot people in the head in the middle of the streets and left the murdered bodies there for days with a threat to the neighbors that whoever removes the bodies will suffer the same threat? Forget Fidel Castro, Che was communist, consumed with a red plague with grave desires to infect other countries with his dark orwellian gospel of death. Che does not deserve to be honored even if his character was portrayed in the movies.
FINALLY CARLOS STATES:
“The image was not meant to be an endorsement about a man who helped to establish the Castro dictatorship in Cuba.”
This is typical hoollywood spin at work in that his press manager must have believed that we would believe that “he did not mean” this when he had this image touching his flesh. He knew but he did not care but when he saw that his image in Miami or elsewhere would be tarnished he spinned.
I read the press release and it seems Emilio Estefan has earned his fortune by careful worded negotiations. Esto es la communidad not hollywood press corps. Dont believe Emelio, has he done good things by standing up? SURE!
In my letter to him I pointed out how Celia would not sing with Andy Montanez in PR because he went to cuba and returned talking communist trash. She said, “Yo no canto con comunistas!” Andy was Puerto Rican, Carlos is Mexican……Pleeze, EMELIO…use your powers to presuade Santana to renounce the acts of el Che which involve killing Cubans, americans, Jews, Christians, Bolivians, and countless others.
Thank you…..
I will start to make t-shirts that show the little sweet and kind fidel in his Belen uniform. Let me know who wants them, lol !!
FREEDOM4CUBA:
Fidel was a monster at Belén. You’ll have to use a baby picture.
This thread has legs: 3 or 4 comments posted at the same minute. If this is any indication of what’s coming, we are in for some ride.
Val, Dont let the the Estefans influence you with their fame and wealth. We here read your words everyday and have seen into your soul.
Eres honesto y un hombre noble. We all see that you are human just like us guajiros on the net.
I would shoot back to Emelio, even though it may be too late to change the album, to come on your radio show and have an open discusion between the two of you AND have him answer questions picked by YOU emailed by US during the broadcast.
This is smart and you can pursuade him by mentioning that he “can have an impact and better Gloria’s image.” He just might bite
Santana’s website statement is nothing but whitewash.
Oh, let’s see …. where have I seen this before? Parsing, deconstruction, historical revisionism, spin … more spin … depending on what your definition of “is” is.
Ah, yes, The Legacy. An old trick from the liberal playbook: you don’t apologize for what you do and you never own responsibility. You’re only sorry that some morons got offended and are too dense to understand why you are wearing your T-shirt. They are soooo very intransigent and narrow-minded and predictable, aren’t they. Tienen fixation con castro.
Why, this is America, and Che is in my heart and that’s my right, you know. Peace, brother … just let me open my little mexican timbiriches and make me some more American dollars with my chalupas. And I can sell these T-shirts to all these left coast gringos that want them.
Spare me.
Guajiro de Broward:
Emilio and Gloria are more entrenched now than Fidel was in his bunker during the Missile Crisis. In fact, everything now is on crisis mode at the Estefan compound. They are probably surrounded by a cordon sanitaire of sycophants and other hangers-on, trying desperately to formulate some kind of exit strategy from this mess which greed made. Appear on Val’s radio show? Not very likely. Nevertheless, I think this should be the topic of the Babalú Radio Hour this week. What else? Perhaps Al Gore will have some words of wisdom and comfort, such as: “Don’t worry, we’ll all be dead soon from global warming.”
LOL Manuel, the Veep is always on call to make an appearance, don’t tempt me.
FYI Emilio was supposedly in Mexico when he called Val.
LOL Manuel, the Veep is always on call to make an appearance, don’t tempt me.
FYI Emilio was supposedly in Mexico when he called Val.
Henry:
So peyote is responsible.
I just read all this and I agree totally with Henry, Manuel and the others who are upset at the Estefans. Santana should have been denounced by the Estefans, the way Paquito D’Rivera did, right after the che loving incident. I find Emilio’s attempt at spin rather insulting to our community’s intelligence. Many of us sent emails to the Estefans a few days ago complaining about this, and sadly I now think they are all about the dollars, plain and simple.
Personally, I think we should support Cubiches and that Carlos Santana does not deserve so much of our time and energy when it is hurting our fellow exiles.
You go for it Estefans!
To Gigi:
I think Al Gore would say…….”THE ESTEFEANS HAVE A FEVER.” Ha ha ha!
I wont be able to hear or call the show pero un dia, one day, I will. Its that darn thing called work. Bueno…I am sure I will read it all in the minutes. I just tried to leave a comment on Henry’s site pero muy difici. Anyone have any ideas?
Guajiro de Broward:
Yes, it’s very difficult to post a comment on Henry’s websites. But tomorrow, who knows, your comment may miraculously appear when you least expect it. Keep an eye on it. I speak from experience.
***
Val, you asked: “What goes well with crow?”
How about B.S.?
That statement from Santana is just that, pure unadulterated B.S.
You either believe the myth and wear the Che clothing or respect the truth and don’t.
There is no middle ground here. There was no epiphany in Che’s life.
***
Deacon:
I beg to differ. There was a great epiphany in “Che’s” life: when he discovered that he liked the smell, the feel, even the taste of blood.
Let us all remeber that Val said that Emilio said things he could not write on the blog. Lets wait until we hear from Val again.
Maybe he knows something that we do not know. I suspect que Val wants to tell us the juicy details to justify his blog posting pero por dar su parlabra he now holds his tongue….or fingers…..
Okay, I’ve been doing some thinking, and perhaps I let my inner capitalist get the better of me earlier.
I’m sorry, it’s not about the money.
The album is named 90 Millas, and it’s assuredly a tribute to the Cuban Exile. One thing that the exile brought to the US was it’s music. And the Afro-Cuban rhythms that the exile made popular in the US is what Santana used, in a hybrid with blues and jazz, to create his own unique style.
Whether we like it or not, his music and his popularity would have never have happened if it wasn’t for us. I have a feeling that this is why he was called to be part of the album.
Now, talent aside, I do think the man is full of shit when it comes to his ideology and the role models that he chooses to follow. The fact that he wore a Che shirt is appauling. The fact that the Estefan’s asked him to be on the CD raises an eyebrow. However, in the end this CD is not about politics, and it is not about ideology. I’m going to take a leap and say that this CD is about a celebration of how our Cuban-American culture has impacted the hispanic music scene here in the US.
And if our music has influenced this pot-smoking-dumb-f*ck Santana, then because he wore a Che shirts and supports the assassin does not mean that we can look away at how our music influenced one of the most successful Latino rock stars in the US.
If it wasn’t for our music, he probably wouldn’t have made it big in the first place.
Given the Estefan track record with the Cuban-American community, our we going to take this one case and crucify them?
Did we stop to think that this is NOT about politics and more about MUSIC. Why give a shit what Santana thinks, the fact remains his style is influenced by the rich music that Cuba has to offer.
Are we going to seperate this man from the album, because he’s full of shit? That’s what he is. I don’t care who he claims to support, nor do I care what he wants for Cuba. The man is full of shit -period. I am willing to bet that Santana is going to do only ONE song on this album, and it’s going to be HIS song based on Afro-Cuban Rhythm: “Oye Como Va.” It’s the only logical conclusion.
Santana is full of shit, yet we can’t deny how our music shaped the success of his career.
I feel like we’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
(sorry for the long post val, I probably should’ve posted this on my site.)
Oh dear God, If we refuse to enjoy the talent of an artist, or deny him/her work, because we do not agree with his/her political, philosophical o moral views, What the hell is the difference between us and fidel castro.?
Yes, it bothers me when i see people wearing the che guevara t shirt, and whenever possible, i let them know in no uncertain terms
why. But …..an “acto de Repudio” ???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
What gives us the right to tell the Estefans whom to work with?
puh -leese!!
Songuacassal:
Ok, your point is well taken. Everybody steals our music. Bizet stole Carmen from us. Ravel stole from us. Even Charlie Chaplin stole La Violetera from us. “Salsa” is, of course, Afro-Cuban music. Even the tango is Cuban. And, yes, the rhythm of Santana’s “Oye Como Va” is also Cuban. So what? We don’t need foreigners to cover or publicize our music. It is Cubans, if anything, that have done Santana a favor. And how are we repaid? Martí said that Amor con amor se paga. But this guy clearly doesn’t love us well. Or at all.
So we should forgive this callous idiot his insensitivity, the kindest word with which his repeated mockery of our pain can be described, because “this is not about politics and more about music.” Is music some kind of universal panacea that can excuse any crime? Does Wagner’s music excuse Hitler? Some actually argue that it does even though Wagner died before Hitler was born. In Santana’s case, though, the fly on the horse’s ass is not dead. However talented he may be (and I don’t listen to his music so I wouldn’t know), Santana has no claims to our good-will or indulgence, though we have treated him with more than he deserves. As for the Estefans, they do subscribe to your opinion, kind of. For them, though, money, not music, is the universal panacea. Their universal panacea.
“Oh dear God, If we refuse to enjoy the talent of an artist, or deny him/her work, because we do not agree with his/her political, philosophical or moral views, What the hell is the difference between us and fidel castro?”/i> — maruka
When you say “Oh dear God,” which God are you referring to? Surely not the God that looks askance at murderers and apologists for murderers.
There is a special hell, by the way, for people like you and Santana who ask “What the hell is the difference between us and fidel castro.”
Emilio Estefan said that he has a taped interview of Santana where he says that he doesn’t support the Castro regime and he would like to see a free Cuba.
Why haven’t we seen this statement in the mainstream media? Why haven’t we seen Granma denouncing Santana? The alleged statement has not been pronounced publicly by Santana.
Here is a letter from Paquito D’Rivera defending our cause before the Hollywood crowd. Compare the way he does it and the way he identifies himself as a Cuban exile artist to the way the Estefan’s defend our cause. Paquito is my hero.
May 31, 2005
To Kris Kristofferson and Stephen Stills.
Hi Kris and Stephen:
Long time no see!!!, 27 years to be exact. Last time was at the Karl Marx theater in (what was left of) our former beautiful Capitol City;
and as you probably know, SONY is reissuing that “Havana Jam” 1978 concert on CD and DVD formats. On that occasion, probably you didn’t
(want to) notice that you guys and me, along with many other American and Cuban artists, performed on that historic event in front of a strictly government controlled audience, to a house full of Castro’s supporters. Watching the tape now I can see you singing songs to the dictator, then already 19 years in power, who as expected didn’t attended our concert.
But no sweat, you guys are not alone on that one. Ever since Lenin debuted his Bolshevik revolution in 1918, until its noisy downfall 70 years later, in this snobbish world of ours there has never been a lack of those picturesque “tourists of foreign revolutions” who take charge in celebrating the buffoonery of left-wing tyrants and red parrots of all times and latitudes, from Stalin, Mao, and Nicolae Ceauscescu to Che Guevera, Ho Chi Minh, Castro and Chavez. So, I mean that, while Jane Fonda, Charlie Haden, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez flew around the World
(first class, of course!), singing freely their “progressive” songs to a system they never had to suffer, solely in Germany, since the first
stone of that mournfully celebrated wall in Berlin was laid at dawn, on August 13, 1961 until its dramatic collapse thirty years later, more than 40,000 were sentenced for attempting to escape or helping those who did. The average time just for assisting someone to escape, ranged from five years to life imprisonment; that’s including parents who helped their children flee from that “workers paradise.”
Some managed to survive that odyssey, but hundreds either died in their attempt, or in the jails of the improperly called Democratic Republic of Germany. Many of these cruel and arbitrary orders to jail or execute captured escapees came directly from the pro-Soviet dictator Erick Honecker, and I can only imagine the reaction of these victims and their families when, for humanitarian reasons, the newly unified German government allowed this old tyrant to travel to Chile to treat his cancer, along with his daughter, the wife of an ex-collaborator of the wasted socialist president Salvador Allende, who also had a suicidal daughter married to a high ranking henchman of Fidel Castro. “God
raises them and the devil piles them together!” as the old Spanish saying goes.
In the case of our suffering Cuba, after more than 46 years of dictatorship, all I can tell you is that, quoting Cuban writer Carlos Eire: two million people (18% of our population) do not run away from a paradisiacal Caribbean island, only because a beautiful revolution had just happened. So I wonder if after all these years of repression, divided families and innocent people killed by firing squad or dying in the see, still you guys really want to keep those lamentable songs to the older dictator on this planet on that SONY reissue?… I would really think about it!…
I hope all is well in your life.
Sincerely:
Paquito D’Rivera
Cuban exiled musician-author
I cannot believe there are people who seriously say boycott 90 millas,but buy their other stuff. Sounds like our paper embargo. Buy more of the old so that the loss of money from 90 millas won’t hurt them. Financialy hurting them is what they need to wake them up. I am sick and tired if the “don’t turn on our own”. Wrong is wrong plain and simple and I don’t care if Biscet wore a Che shirt I would then be against him. I remember the people who attack Paya for not being anti-Castro enough. No free pass for the Estefans. Are they truly fighting for the cause of freedom in Cuba? Then cut the tracks that include santana, make a formal apology, and they would end up heroes. The questions is what is their tru priorities? Only they know. The best damage control is always to make things right. There are prices to pay for a free Cuba. Is music more important to us than? that? Sound a little too hard line? Only the hard line will free Cuba. Lets get off the rest of the stuff and pay the price. I am sick of free passes when Cuba is still in bondage.
Celia Crus never did anything so dastardly during her career. On the contrary. When she was asked to sing before Bill Clinton and all the Latin American presidents at the Summit of the Americas, she was warned not to mention politics and to stick to singing. La Negra proudly got up in front of them and gave everyone an earfull on why none of them had done anything to help liberate her beloved homeland.
Olga Guillot has also never betrayed our principles and has publicly identified with those fighting for Cuba’s freedom.
Gloria Estefan’s father, Jose Fajardo, a Bay of Pigs and Vietnam veteran, who died from the effects of Agent Orange, must be turning in his grave.
So what if this business venture with Santana goes bad? None of the parties is going to end up in the poorhouse. The wisest thing that the Estefans could do now is table the “90 Miles” CD. But they won’t. Publicity of any kind is the water that keeps their garden green.
Maruka said:
Oh dear God, If we refuse to enjoy the talent of an artist, or deny him/her work, because we do not agree with his/her political, philosophical o moral views, What the hell is the difference between us and fidel castro.?
Yes, it bothers me when i see people wearing the che guevara t shirt, and whenever possible, i let them know in no uncertain terms
why. But …..an “acto de Repudio” ???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
What gives us the right to tell the Estefans whom to work with?
puh -leese!!
Maruka, I’m going to call bullshit on this. The difference between us and fidel castro is that we don’t advocate a system of GOVERNMENT that would restrict the estefans ability to create any type of music that they want. They have that right. But we have a right to be saddened or angered by their decisions. We have a right so say it’s a shitty thing what they are doing. We have a right to remind them that all the good that they have done does not give them carte blanche to do whatever they want now and expect us to accept it.
I don’t accept ANY of the mythology of the Cuban Revolution and Che is a big part of that mythology. Santana openly embraces that mythology and my heroes are now his buddies. Sorry that doesn’t sit well with me.
If anyone is acting like fidel it’s you telling us what to think.
Maruka said:
Oh dear God, If we refuse to enjoy the talent of an artist, or deny him/her work, because we do not agree with his/her political, philosophical o moral views, What the hell is the difference between us and fidel castro.?
Yes, it bothers me when i see people wearing the che guevara t shirt, and whenever possible, i let them know in no uncertain terms
why. But …..an “acto de Repudio” ???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
What gives us the right to tell the Estefans whom to work with?
puh -leese!!
Maruka, I’m going to call bullshit on this. The difference between us and fidel castro is that we don’t advocate a system of GOVERNMENT that would restrict the estefans ability to create any type of music that they want. They have that right. But we have a right to be saddened or angered by their decisions. We have a right so say it’s a shitty thing what they are doing. We have a right to remind them that all the good that they have done does not give them carte blanche to do whatever they want now and expect us to accept it.
I don’t accept ANY of the mythology of the Cuban Revolution and Che is a big part of that mythology. Santana openly embraces that mythology and my heroes are now his buddies. Sorry that doesn’t sit well with me.
If anyone is acting like fidel it’s you telling us what to think.
Oh the by the way when you ask what gives us the right to tell them, it’s something called the 1st amendment, silly. We have a right to say whatever we want as surely as Gloria and Emilio have a right to say whatever they want.
Oh the by the way when you ask what gives us the right to tell them, it’s something called the 1st amendment, silly. We have a right to say whatever we want as surely as Gloria and Emilio have a right to say whatever they want.
It’s insulting to extrapolate cASStroite Actos de Repudio to what we are saying to the Estefans. The Actos de Repudio are illegitimate and abusive attacks on free expression designed to intimidate and oppress anyone who disagrees with the regime.
Don’t demean that definition by tacking it on to the commentary on this blog. It ain’t gonna fly.
At the bottom of this pile is the fact that all the $$$$$$$$$$$ Santana and Gloria, et al., have made goes back to their consumer fans who buy their stuff. All the talent in the world won’t put you on the map if you don’t have anybody listening & buying. WE put them on the map in that sense. You insult the fans, you take the shots that comes with it.
Yes, ask the Dixie Chicks.
PERCEPTION is REALITY
Henry,
Ditto, Ditto to everything you’ve posted
Maruka,
Please go back to school… This time please pay close attention to the BILL OF RIGHTS! Most specifically, Amendment I.
Ray,
Let’s not forget the 1997 photos of Gloria and Emilio Estefan with Nelson “long live comrade fidel castro” Mandela while they were touring South Africa.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9020
As to Willie Colon… this is what he thinks of Emilio, Gloria and Miami: Following is a statement Willie Colon made during the 2003 Grammy Awards.
“Our recording companies have been gradually acquired or re-established in Miami. At first, we thought all this would mean a new regeneration for all of us. Later, we started to understand and comprehend that all this was about an agenda to mix the MIAMI POLITICS with an exclusively economic and nationalist greed which is merciless to the other Latinos.” And he added: “This will be a party for Estefan, Sony, and the other recording companies controlled by the Cubans.” As to Andy Garcia being one of the hosts he said… “long with actor Andy Garcia, of Cuban origin, who is not a singer but a strong critic of Fidel Castro.”
I had been reserving judgment on this whole mess, wanting the Estefans to explain how and why Carlos Santana came to be part of their project. Well, we now have an “explanation,” but it only has made things worse for them, in my view. First, they never answer the questions of “how” and “why,” and then they make it worse by using Ché’s own words to defend him, and themselves. And then, of course, they fail to apologize.
I don’t blame Val for wanting to give the Estefans the benefit of the doubt, considering their considerable track record, but on this one, they are wrong. They could have cleared this up, but in the end, they only confirmed many of our worst fears.