Guanabee Commenter Shout-Out Of The Year: And Now Miguel

Well, it looks like 2007 is almost over; only a few hours left until it is drowned completely in a sea of cheap champagne and decisions we will come to regret when we see photographic evidence posted on Facebook in a couple of days. To that effect, we would like to take the time to do one, final Guanabee Commenter Shout-Out for 2007. The recipient of this honor is also, incidentally, our commenter of the year. That’s right: 365 days. Too many comments than we care to count. Or read. And but one, sole commenter to rule them all.

We may have been a little hasty in casting judgment on Miguel A. Diaz, a noted academic who left the U.S. for China. We are so touched that he took some time away from his intellectual pursuits to send a little email our way. See, Miguel writes scholarly essays on serious subjects of great importance. Like what, you ask? Well, you cretinous gnomes, he writes on such topics as Latino culture and identity. Hey, kind of like us! Turns out, Miguel and Guanabee have much more in common besides an affinity for the ladies. To wit:

I’ve been thinking about the comments you guys have been making about my writing and the more I think about it–the more I realize how uncool they are. That PREDATOR label you guys gave me, for example, I cannot take lightly. I am a licenced public school teacher in California and I have taught from primary school to high school. Knowing such–you can just imagine how offensive that label is to me. That comment I wrote concerning women was actually something I said frequently to a long time girlfriend not to any random strangers. Heck! I don’t even drink.

Well, we’re drinking right now! But, really, we do apologize for labeling you a PREDATOR. And for being kind of uncool in general.

As for the COMPARING TRAGEDIES piece. I was not COMPARING. [Ed note: Ahem.] You see, that is the problem. Why are some people allowed to voice their opinions freely–while others are not? I can tell you that as a writer of very liberal persuasion, 90 percent of what I write gets rejected. The LA and NY Times won’t publish my essays even thought I have been recommended to both by an established writer. But they do publish and advertise what I consider to be blatantly racist OP-ED pieces at times.

The NY Times also never returns our calls nor our letters nor our emails nor our passionate cries beneath Andrew Rosenthal’s window to lift that restraining order. Isn’t it such a shame when real, raw talent goes unrecognized and unrewarded, Miguel?

I consider my writing to be serious writing–and being an immigrant myself–I consider the topic to be very serious. I, for example, would never thrash the writings of ANYONE who speaks out in support of immigrants.

We, too, are serious. No joke.

I just don’t know what to make of you guys. I suppose you guys think you are being funny. But your comments are just not funny and they are attacking people who may agree with your politics but who may be trying to be taken seriously by the writing establishment. Your stuff is nothing like Gustavo Arellano’s work. I mean, it seems like he’s making fun of Mexicans–but in reality–he is taking shots at American culture and racism–and he is funny as hell.

We are also journalists, Miguel. Latin American culture and identity should never be the punchlines of jokes or puns involving “chorizo” or “puffy tacos” because Latinos are serious people. We would never consider anything we write to be even remotely humorous, light-hearted, sarcastic or satirical in nature. Because we are serious. Seriously. Besides, when have people ever turned to humor or satire to prove a point when they can present their ideas and vent their frustrations through dry, academic, serious lectures and pedantic postering instead? Seriously now.

Have a Happy New Year and take a look at the song I attached. Yes, Miguel A. Diaz also writes songs.

And a very Happy New Year to you too, Miguel. We are pleased that you reached our humble little site somewhere during your adventures in Googling your name. You write songs, too? Miguel, is there anything you can’t do? You, sir, are awesome. We apologize for any hurt or confusion we may have caused you and would like to thank you for your many, varied contributions to Latino culture by naming you 2007’s Commenter of the Year. Congratulations, brother!

And, because what good is a brightly burning candle if forgotten in an empty room or left off the internet, please do allow us to share your song with our readers. Nay! The world:

De Cierto

Verso: 1
Cuando la democracia
Se convierte en una desgracia
Ya no quedan palabras
Queda la lucha para vivir

Hoy salgo de este pueblo
Rumbo al norte voy infeliz
Busco alguien que me quiera
Un trabajo digno para vivir

Pre-coro:
Voy cruzando fronteras
Mar es, desiertos y un cielo gris

Voy cruzando fronteras
Mar es, desiertos y un cielo gris

Coro:
Yo no me ahogare en el mar
Te jure
Yo no moriré en el desierto
De soledad
Y voy a llegar hasta allá
Con mi fe
Porque tengo sed y hambre
De cierto

(Solo de guitarra)

Verso: 2
Pueblo lindo y querido
De cierto tu no me quieres ver
Si yo te quiero tanto
Porque no me das de comer?

Ni los gringos me quieren
Los coyotes me quieren comer
Desde cuando es un crimen
Buscar trabajo para comer?

Pre-coro y Coro: (se repiten)

Earlier: Predators Without Borders: Writer Miguel Diaz’s China Syndrome

Miguel A. Diaz Is Back. And He’s Writing About The Holocaust! And 9/11! And Mexicans! Eating Babies!