This week the NBA finals has had basketball lovers sitting on edge with games between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. This past Tuesday evening when the United States sat eagerly waiting for game 3 to start we all witnessed an extremely talented young man known as "El Charro de Oro" sing the National Anthem. Sebastien De La Cruz, a Hispanic 11 year old mariachi singer, immediately became the target to racist comments all over Twitter and Facebook. This young man was receiving many negative racist remarks about his clothing, ethnicity and the color of his skin. I couldn't believe the hatred in the comments I read about. Was this really happening? Are we not in 2013? It was very clear to me that racism is still around to show its ugly face. What these people didn't know was that Sebastian was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. He has been performing Mariachi ballads since he was 5 years old and has such an amazing voice that he made it to the semifinals in America's Got Talent last year. His father Juan De La Cruz, who honorably served in the Navy, has taught his son to keep his chin up as you can read from one of his tweets.
Sebastien De La Cruz @selcharrodeoro What people don't realize is that Sebastien is the new generation of US citizen. Our diverse country is reflective in the children we serve in our communities. These racist were only looking at the color of his skin and the mariachi customary outfit he chose to wear. They were focused primarily on his surface culture and his racial identity as a Mexican-American. Why is it so bad to have him sing our National Anthem? Is it strictly based on the fact that he doesn't look white?
The feelings that stirred in me as I read these ignorant posts where that of anger and hatred. I was so upset to read these comments by different ethnic groups. How can someone be so mean to someone so small? I wished to face these people and let them know how they make Hispanics feel when using these racial slurs. But my hate quickly turned into pride as I listened and read his responses to these racists. This young man had taught me a great lesson. Love one another no matter what. I am PROUD to be an American and I am especially PROUD to be Hispanic! To the people who feel differently WAKE UP! As Sebastien tweeted:
Sebastien De La Cruz
Mr. PRESIDENT, Thank you for all your support. I'm a proud Mexican-American to live in the LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!
For things to change we must first start with ourselves and the people around us. We need to teach tolerance and acceptance for all people of color, gender, age, and sexual orientation. I need to be aware of my surroundings, actions, and language. Once I find the change within myself I can reach out to my community and give others a different view point of cultures and differences. The best way to reach people is with information and collaboration. This is not Sebastiens first encounter with racism. He has dealt with this before and through the love and encouragement of his friends, family, and community he has reached a point in his life were the color of your skin doesn't matter but what you have to offer people does.
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI was also troubled by the indignation this wonderful young man received.
He is very talented and will go very far. He is already light years ahead of his oppressors.
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteYou were so poignant when you said the racial comments were looking at Sebastien's surface culture, and how comments like this diminish his self identity or could possible. Thank goodness for this strong young man, he can teach us all a lesson.