Democracy, Rhetoric and Performance: November 2005 Archives

This Latin form of music and dance was the subject of Mari's a colloquim yesterday "aiming to throw out some thoughts and cultural sites for discussion" on translation and representation. Ivy Queen is one of the hottest stars. Her lyrics have been picked up even by several generations of women, not just youth. The talk about reggaeton - debates about the social issues it raises - apparently parallels talk about previous forms:

tango, whose lyrics spread "The secret tongue of "lunfardos", term used by thieves to refer to themselves. In this way watch became "bobo" (dumb-stupid) due to two characteristics, it is very easy to steal and it works all day long non-stop."

mambo: "Since the mambo there has never been a dance that has given rise to so much unbridled fantasy and pyrotechnics or reached such rhythmic rapture."

Merengue in the Dominican Republic.

Salsa didn't spread as widely - perhaps (!) because it's too hard for gringos to learn? ;-)

I did see this ... wow. Grotesque, yes. A bit weird too. (Does such an opinion expose a puritanical streak?) I did laugh, although moreso revisiting it afterwards with my good pals than during. :-) DEFINITELY "boundary-crossing" stuff, which George Carlin articulates well. Fascinating look inside comedy as an institution, too. Anyone for a socioeconomic class interpretation? Or are we talking basic social unredeemability - sheer outrageous excess? I always want there to be a message. ;-)

What's the moral element in such totally and intentionally amoral performances?

Commgrad GEO stewards report:

This is the THE most important mass action that GEO is organizing this
semester and it is vital that we participate to protect our own interests. Comm grad students were very active last year in contract related protests. So we hope that all grad students, new and old cohorts, will take time to be at the rally.

In addition to our great turnout at last year's A21 rally (link above), many of us also attended a bargaining session between GEO reps and the administration. Intense is putting it mildly.