Inclusive or Divisive?
Although my Spanish is not the greatest, I’ve long appreciated Latin music for its passion, expressiveness and spiritedness and have enjoyed many Latin music concerts. I was thinking of attending Jaguares’ recent concert at the Arrowhead Pond, but based on Ernesto Lechner’s review, I’m so glad I didn’t (“Hernandez Offers Stirring Plea for Unity,” Feb. 21).
Lechner notes that the group brought out a Mexican flag, and then quotes the group’s lead singer as saying, “Tonight, this place is ours.” Lechner refers to this as part of the group’s “all-inclusive ritual.”
Just how “inclusive” is Jaguares’ message, and what is the objective of the “unity” message? This kind of parochial, ethnocentric breast-beating appeals only to the differences and divisions in our diverse culture and is hardly geared to build any bridges of understanding and harmony. As someone of both European and Latino heritage who appreciates American culture, I would not have felt very welcome at this concert.
I’ll stick to musicians who respect and reach out to everyone in their audiences and who seem to enjoy the country in which they’re performing.
MARTIN ZIMMERMAN
Los Angeles
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