Now why am I in it ? : An open letter to Rubén Blades

An Open Letter to Rubén Blades: Why Am I In It?

Note: Please read the linked Rubén Blades article for reference before proceeding with this post!

 https://www.rubenblades.com/la-esquina/baja-california-mxico-january-21st-2016

If you have followed my work—whether on YouTube or other platforms—you know I typically avoid topics deeper than the surface level. I prefer to focus on my love of music, art, and mixed-media creation. This is not due to a lack of concern for the issues of the world, but rather a nuanced antipathy with how the internet transforms civil discourse into vitriol. To avoid adding to said negativity, I have largely remained in a "neutral positivity zone."

Today, however, I am stepping out of that zone to address Mr. Rubén Blades and his commentary on the 2016 Oscars controversy.

I am not particularly a fan of the Academy Awards; I find that actors are often rewarded for their worst work while their best performances are ignored. (Al Pacino winning for Scent of a Woman over And Justice for All, or Jeremy Irons for Reversal of Fortune over Dead Ringers, are prime examples). As an artist and music enthusiast, I have long admired Mr. Blades. His work in The Capeman was intriguing, his portrayal of Carlos Eleta in the Roberto Durán story was great, and I consider "El Cantante" one of the best musical compositions of all time.

However, my appreciation for Mr. Blades’ work has been marred. His past comments regarding the 2016 Oscars left me disappointed and a little saddened. In an attempt to express disdain for the exclusion of Hispanic and Latino artists from mainstream Hollywood, Mr. Blades devolved into a vitriolic narrative that targeted Black Americans and artists.

While I cannot speak for all Black Americans, I can speak from my own observations and personal experiences. Mr. Blades’ critique of the "Oscars So White" campaign suggests it focused exclusively on Black artists, failing to realize the movement was a call for diversity in an industry that has always been a white hegemony. Instead of offering solidarity, Mr. Blades pivoted to the "Oppression Olympics."

This is a recurring pattern: when Black Americans speak up about discrimination, it is often met with, "But what about me?" It is the rhetorical equivalent of saying "I like pancakes" and being accused of hating waffles. Acknowledging that Black Americans face discrimination does not negate the struggles of the Latino community.

Furthermore, Mr. Blades’ argument ignores the massive influence of the Latin media industry—Sony Latin, the Latin Grammys, Univision, and Telemundo—which rarely includes Black Latino artists. Diversity in these spaces is often performative, recycling the same few faces while ignoring the broader Afro-Latino experience.

In his critique, Mr. Blades refers to Black people as "the blacks" and claims they enjoy better roles and opportunities, while Latino artists are relegated to caricatures. In reality, Black actors face similar marginalization. On the website DoesTheDogDie, there is a specific trigger warning for "Does the black guy die first?" because it is so common to see black characters not make it to the end of a film.

It is disheartening that the anger is directed at Black artists rather than the systemic structures that created these inequities. Mr. Blades, in particular, has benefited from the support of Black Americans. Icons like Stevie Wonder advocated for the Grammys to include Latin categories, and the very foundation of Salsa is a fusion of Jazz, Bomba, Plena, and Mambo—born from Black and Latino musicians performing together during the era of segregation.

The more constructive path would have been to acknowledge how exclusion hurts us all and to discuss how we can build an industry where background does not determine opportunity. It is easier to vent frustrations than to apply critical thinking, but the latter would have been more productive. 

Hopefully, in the 10 years that have passed, Mr.Blades has come to a better place in his thoughts and feelings. I will continue to enjoy his work and wish him the best in his ventures.

I wrote this to break a period of writer's block and to speak on something that was troubling me. I ask only that any discussion following this remains civilized.

Good evening, Good day, and Good night.

Anne ✌️

Lool check out my other works if ye dare hehe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2JG7URIl98&list=PLa3EmQ6bOlJNyU7y5f6R_4BPXnG4ErGLS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj7gDlYoGKU&list=PLa3EmQ6bOlJNfrtJZw-66ukbzDjZPq0Qu