“The dog looked up through its hairy yashmak and farted”

Thats how I feel whenever I read these GUANAJESSBEE posts….can we ban her for a week.

Pretty please?

She’s coming across as fake. Too late now. The Force of Self Hatred is strong with this one.

Maybe it will finally happen. Do it Norman!

I actually think Jessica might be on to something. Aren’t all the Latino kids like her nowadays?

Just think: how would Halle Berry been perceived if she said she didn’t want to be called a Black actress and felt like she had finally “cut loose” of her African heritage. Then showed up on Ebony saying - “BET didn’t invite me out so I told my publicist to keep me outta Black events” “I love being Black, can’t wait to have Black babies”

Alba had a rare chance in the spotlight to help being Mexican not seem like something to be ashamed of.
She blew it.

NEXT!!!!

Uuuuuuummm guanabee, i’ve seen prettier girls walking down east 14th st. in oakland than her. Her being pretty is not what makes her unrelatable, her idiocy does!

That’s the worst backtracking since…well, ever.

@xica

but those girls will shank you if you look at them funny, and usually their thongs are hanging out and are nipping out of their shirts, so its hard not to stare

Ah, Jessica Alba. I love that girl. Yes I do. I don’t know why people STILL can’t get over her ever changing ethnic identity. I’d say some (or maybe many) Latinos who become assimilated to American culture will always question their identity. Consider, for example, an intelligent, middle class Mexican American who doesn’t identity with the majority of Mexican Americans in this country. This young person may not “get” Mexican American culture. So, should they just falsely claim a Mexican American identity? I don’t think they should, if they don’t truly feel it. Who wants to be a (blind) sheep? I sure as hell don’t. The idea of a single term to describe all Latinos in this country is ridiculous. It’s useful, but let’s not kid ourselves. Most of you probably dislike members of other ethnic subgroups within the Latino community. Let’s be individuals for a change. Stop being sheep!

@isobel: Halle is similar to Jessica Alba, but, because of her different set of personal experiences, decided to identify herself as an African American woman. And she’s been applauded by many in the entertainment industry for doing that. It’s funny to think that she was raised by her (White) mother, and interacted with her mostly White family. Sadly, her (African American) father was never in the picture. Honestly, she shouldn’t be considered an African American. But, as stated before, her career has benefited by her decision to be called just that.

Guana Bust A Nut
This young person may not “get” Mexican American culture

Which is fine. What you don’t mention though is that she is clearly ASHAMED of her background. If she doesn’t want to be identified as a Latina or Mexican-American, that is her right, but she should expect consequences when she ridicules and clearly shows her disdain for her own heritage.

@Benito: And who doesn’t do that? I was at a conference in Mexico city, and some (Mexican) woman was expressing her contempt for Mexican Americans in Los Angeles (she used words like naco and other terrible adjectives to describe them (I couldn’t help but laugh a little). I currently live in Florida and my Cuban friends constantly put down Mexicans. I’ve heard Puerto Ricans ridicule Dominicans, and vice versa. Alba may lack tact and good common sense, but so do MANY Latinos. This whole Latino pride thing is crap.

Guana Bust A Nut, none of your examples showed that they hated their OWN heritage. Even if they did (the Mexican woman hating the fact that she was of Mexican heritage, for example, or Cubans saying that they hate being of Cuban heritage), they are not public figures like Alba is. Let’s say Jon Stewart mentions that he dislikes being of Jewish heritage and starts to mock Jewish people. Do you think the Jewish community will take it lightly?

@Benito; Ok, let me get this straight:

A Mexican woman expressing contempt for Mexican Americans in Los Angeles is tolerable (and they are ridiculed on Mexican television from time to time, as I’m sure you know). But that’s fine because it’s not an example of self-hatred. Hm, I guess it’s socially acceptable to belittle poor Latinos. I like the sound of that!

However, it’s NOT ok for a woman to hate a heritage that’s been assigned to her by you and many Latinos. Let’s pretend like her mother doesn’t exist. I mean, her mother’s ethnicity shouldn’t count, right? She’s a woman after all. Let’s all sing praises to machismo culture. Yes? Funny thing is, you all keep insisting on labeling her a self-hating Latina. But she obviously doesn’t identify with that Latina label. So how can she be a self-hating Latina if she doesn’t identify as a Latina. Please explain that me. I’m confused.

One more thing; Jewish culture is filled with self-criticism and self-deprecation, which varies from person to person, of course. The funny thing is, it’s hard to call their negative stereotypes bad … I mean, who wouldn’t want to live a privileged life and be overrepresented in top universities in the states (it’s obviously different for Jews in other countries).

@ Guana

What am getting from you Guana, is that you yourself are a self-hating Latino, but hey, I might be wrong, in any case I would like to address some of the comments you’ve made.

The intelligent Mexican American will not identify with other Mexican Americans why? Because he/she is intelligent? Because other Mexicans do no share the same characteristics as this middle class intelligent Mexican American? I think you’re reasoning is flawed. I have seen many Mexican Americans who are, as you’d like to believe, different from the rest of us, strongly identify with their cultures, but I guess in your reasoning the intelligent ones don’t associates themselves with the poor stupid ones. Which then leads me to this question, is that you Guana?

Now, let me address the whole identity issue. Yes, many of us struggle with who we are and why we are who we are. That’s a given in any ethnic community and I don’t think she should be put on the spot to say exactly who she is because identity is a constant struggle. On the other hand, to provide negative stereotypes and then disassociate yourself from these stereotypes by saying “oh I’m not like this so therefore I’m not this” is wrong and stupid. We have to see this for what it truly is and not just raise the question of “who doesn’t”. Disassociation is something used to negate the negatives and then therefore reinforce what others are showing us are the positives. Someone must have really screwed with her idea of Mexicaness, because as far as I can tell, she really has some negative ideas of what being Mexican is.

Regarding your Halle comment, why shouldn’t she be considered African American? Isn’t it enough that she does? Don’t you think that you’re being hypocritical? I mean on the one hand, you’re all for calling yourself what you want, but then on the other hand you decide that it’s okay to give her the label you want to give her. Come on, give me a break!

Guana Bust a Nut
A Mexican woman expressing contempt for Mexican Americans in Los Angeles is tolerable (and they are ridiculed on Mexican television from time to time, as I’m sure you know).

Not OK, but not an example of self-hatred, which is what we’re talking about. Hatred of others is not an example of self-hatred, no matter how wrong it is.

Trapped In A Box
On the other hand, to provide negative stereotypes and then disassociate yourself from these stereotypes by saying “oh I’m not like this so therefore I’m not this” is wrong and stupid.

Exactly.

Someone must have really screwed with her idea of Mexicaness

Looks like it started with her abuelo:

My grandfather was the only Mexican at his college, the only Hispanic person at work and the only one at the all-white country club. He tried to forget his Mexican roots, because he never wanted his kids to be made to feel different in America.

Apparently grandpa didn’t get the memo that being ashamed of your background is usually not a prerequisite to feel accepted in a new culture.

Jessica is doing what more and more Latinos are doing, sucking up to the white establishment. Jessica doesn’t feel as if the Latino community can give her what she needs. She is Latino when it suits her, but when the white man snaps he fingers, she’ll come running. What’s worse is that her movies aren’t all that.

@guana
She does claim to identify with being Latina when it’s convenient for her. Did you read about her wanting her baby to learn to speak spanish before English until it was 2-3 years old? That’s just one example of her back peddling. Maybe her manager made her aware of Lation’s consumer buying power.Assimilate all you want your skin and features is what you will be judged by. You can be as middle class, educated and “white” as you want but white america still sees a Mex. I am annoyed with her because she is aware of the reason she is in the public eye:because she is “hot.”Talent is more than lacking in her case. That being said it’s also clear she feels the need to be taken “seriously” as an actress because she want to be hot and smart.She should continue posing in Maxim, make less than steller movies and keep her mouth shut. That way all you boys can keep your hard ons for her without worrying about what’s on her mind.

That way all you boys can keep your hard ons for her without worrying about what’s on her mind.

Hear, hear!

Will no one comment on her expression in that picture? Or lack thereof?

@Buttface

where’s your proof? just because you see a couple of jessicas in the media doesn’t mean it’s true, so let’s be smarter about that.

Boxboy…..you want proof that Latinos are aligning themselves with their white oppressors against us blacks? We can start with the fact that Obama had the lowest percent of Latino votes in Dem history in the state of California and Florida, that’s no coincidence. Not to mention, the incidents involving Latino cops shooting unarmed blacks, the racially charged murder of a black girl by two Mexicowards and the shit that they try to throw my way on a daily.

I keep trying to tell you Latinos that you don’t have to compete with blacks to be the white man’s pet, we never wanted that title. I don’t base this on Alba, rather, I base Alba ON this.

It’s not that I don’t like Latinos in general, I just wish that the ones who dislike blacks would get out of our damn face.

@Trapped in a Box: I used the word intelligent to stress the notion of a Mexican American who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. I used a middle-class Mexican American as an example, but the same could be said of an intelligent (and defiant) Mexican American from a lower socioeconomic position. Poor Latinos, as you know, can be intelligent. Hmm, did that hit a little close to home? I never said that poor Latinos are ALL stupid (however, some are quite ignorant about a lot of things), but I find it interesting that you would bring it up. So, let’s settle this: Latinos of all socioeconomic positions can be smart (or not-so-smart). I guess your assessment of my statements was flawed because they were based on a wrong assumption. Please try again!

Am I a self-hating Latino? That’s an interesting theory. I’ll go ahead and say what I should have said in the beginning; maybe that’ll shed some light on my self-hating ways. Mexican Americans are the largest Hispanic group in this country (they make up over 65% of the Latino population). As the dominant Hispanic group, Mexican American activists and leaders have met with little resistance from other groups and have established a set of values and beliefs that most Latinos are expected to follow. The problem is, Mexican Americans in this country come from a disadvantaged background. This background and their experiences in the States have shaped the Mexican American identity. But they do NOT represent the average Mexican, and they sure as hell don’t represent all Latin Americans.

I live in Florida. My friends are mostly Cuban Americans. I also have Mexican American, Colombian American, Venezuelan American, and Dominican American friends. I, and many of my friends and family members, don’t understand the whole culture of victimization. I find it unnecessary to constantly blame European Americans for every single thing. And it’s pathetic to read comments about how the White man doesn’t pay attention to me or puts me down. I was raised differently. My family and friends have done very well in this country. For example, my cousins moved to Florida from Venezuela in the late 80s. They experienced some culture shock, which is normal, but now they are doing VERY well. We don’t cry and complain; we succeed. Those are my values. And I live by the assumption that Hispanics can compete with any other ethnic group. Also, FYI, unlike Jessica Alba, I am very proud of my ancestors. In fact, they’ve succeeded in Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. Success is a tradition in my family.

So, I guess I don’t identify with the values and beliefs established by the dominant Hispanic group in this country. If that makes me a self-hating Latino, then so be it! I’ll happily accept that label. My, Trapped in a Box, you are quite the psychoanalyst. You’ve got me all figured out. :)

@ buttface

I really don’t have time to answer your stupid generalizations but read this (http://alisavaldesrodriguez.blogspot.com/2008/02/mr-obama-latinos-knockinganyone-home.html) if you’d like a little insight on Obama, who I actually voted for, ironic isn’t it?

In any case, I actually live in all black neighborhood, but you don’t see me calling blacks out when they call me messsican (which is only part of my heritage) or asking me if I’m white because i don’t speak “ghetto” like other Latinas or judge me because I date whoever I damn well please.

Plus, I’m a lady, how’s that for jumping the gun.

@guana

You know, you remind me a lot of Linda Chavez in her book ‘Out of the Barrio’ but like her you have vast generalizations about certain groups. I agree that the politics of victimization are something that entrenches the Latino community as a WHOLE and most ethnic groups, but it is not something that only applies to Mexican Americans. Now, I have to ask, what are those set of values you deem so inherently atrocious that Mexican Americans have established? Please, enlighten me. Coming from a family that is not a singular Latino ethnic group I can tell you what’s wrong with a lot of Latino groups, but I know damn well that not everything is the Mexicans fault and I also know that we all, every person, has to take responsibility for their life. I’m just not stupid enough to believe in a fairytale world where students don’t walk out on a professor because he has an accent, or where I don’t get talked down to when I pipe up about how Cesar Chavez was intelligent to my peers.

Now, Guana, you talk the talk, but have you been able to change how the Latinos view themselves, or have you just been spitting out rhetoric will no real solution? I ask this because you may have some points, but when you try to enact change you’ll see things aren’t so easy.

Anyhow, here’s my email address: que.trapped.box@gmail.com

Discussions in comment areas are so 90s.

God help us

I HATE JESSICA SHE“S ONLY ACTING BECAUSE SHE LOST A LOT OF LATINO FANS AND STUFF. NOBODY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEIR ETHNICITY. THATS JUST SAD.

i am from argentina and i think that all the mexican that send those comments about this american girl are racist and i feel ashame to they call themself latinos we will never speak about viggo mortensen on those terms we are just happy for his exit maybe it is just a matter of skin well if is like that is like live in prission