By Michael Kickingbear
Last night marked the 60th anniversary of the Grammies, which is put on by the Recording academy who thinks of themselves as (stated from their website) “The world's leading society of music professionals, the Recording Academy is dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and sustaining music's past, present, and future.”
Well, that is all well and good, but this year’s event was more about politics, than music. The biggest “messages” were really about the recent attention to women’s rights, sexual abuse, and strength and courage in the face of a seemingly oppressive federal regime. All things that I cannot argue with and actually support the abolishment of.
But there was one “political speech” that caught my attention, which was from recording artist Camila Cabello. I really do not know her work. I am honestly not very up to speed on current mainstream artists. I do however follow the Native American recording artist scene.
Quick research online reveals that:
“Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao was born March 3, 1997, and is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which was formed during the second season of The X Factor in 2012.”
Ok, well I do follow some mainstream music judging contests, such as NBC’s “The Voice” as i recently followed Brooke Simpson, a Native American Singer who made it to third place last season.
But what caught my ears wasn’t Camila Cabello’s music, but her introduction last night. She literally said this:
“Tonight is this room of Music Dreamers, we remember that this country was built by dreamers, for dreamers, Chasing the American Dream. I’m here on this stage tonight because, just like the dreamers, my parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope. They showed me what it means to work twice as hard, and never give up. And honestly, no part of my journey is any different from theirs. I’m a PROUD Cuban-Mexican Immigrant, born in eastern Havana, standing in front of you on the Grammy stage in New York City. (pauses to compose herself) and all I know is that just like dreams, these kids can’t be forgotten, and are worth fighting for.”
What I reacted to what this phrase: “Tonight is this room of Music Dreamers, we remember that this country was built by dreamers, for dreamers, chasing the American Dream.”
This set off all kinds of emotions inside of me. in moments like this, putting things into proper context is important. I felt some anger with her words. Not because she supports DACA… I do as well. Not because of her fight for the dreamers, but for the SOLE notion that this country was built by and for immigrants. Camilla generalized. Without question, Immigrants have brought to these shores many positive things.
However, (and sadly) we have to put into context WHAT immigrants we are talking about in context to American history. White European immigrants? Or Brown, Black, or Asian immigrants? Because if you take a page out of current affairs when we are talking about immigration, brown-skinned immigrants are under attack in this country by the descendants of OTHER immigrants who lived in the 16 - 1800’s. I’m talking about the folks that set the rules & laws in this country. They were not Brown, Black, or Yellow immigrants.
I disagree with Camila’s generalized statement because (believe it or not) it is yet again, another symptom of colonialism in the United States. It is pervasive. It is damaging. and it is VERY real. It is ALSO another example of NO ONE fact-checking or editing speeches to be sensitive to other cultures in this “diverse” country.
By sensetive I refer namely to us, the Indigenous people of this country and continent.
No Camila, this country was built on a history of murder, enslavement, disease, and trauma. And in fact, as the country “evolved” that trauma extended to brown and yellow-skinned immigrants as well. Why am I so (seemingly) fixated on skin color? European immigrants who (by in large) are the causes of that trauma to the rest of the people who are truly responsible for building America. From my relatives, the Mohawks for building some of this country’s tallest buildings (becuase may of thier early euro-american counter parts were too fearful to climb that high) to African and Chinese slaves that built this country’s railroads, to the solid work ethics of Hispanic people working in agriculture, these are the folks responsible for the foundation and essence of the United States.
However, the history of the United States of America is NEVER told of inclusive of the Indigenous perspective of America. It is missing a very important narrative in the story of the “Greatest Country In The World” as some call it.
FACT: The first English to come to these shores would have died if not for indigenous intervention.
FACT: Those first early “immigrants” then claimed our homeland as “theirs”.
FACT: The way they said “Thank You” to their Indigenous heroes was through murder and countless genocide attempts via muskets, sword, fires, disease, and slavery.
Now, generations later, we receive continued abuses by the descendants of the first colonizers who now say to us “Get Over It”. The same descendants defend their offensive sports team mascots by saying they are “honoring us”. when really they think of it as “honoring the dead” or the “fallen”, or even some think “The Conquered” We are not any of that.
The same descendants now want to “Reform Immigration”. Perhaps the biggest insult of all to us as indigenous people of this continent. These descendants, whose OWN ancestors by THIER very own current definition, were illegal immigrants, and who now determine who may come here. (which is really what Camila is really reacting to)
The hypocrisy is actually amazing. From a Native American perspective, “America” is about 525 Years Old. Current day descendants of European historians say America became an independent nation in 1776. That is when the Declaration of Independence was signed. They, therefore, say it is roughly 241 old. So you see, they also ignore their own country’s history because it includes Indigenous people in it. So they “count” us out of it by shortening it.
Our abuse started before 1492. Public schools still teach that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. Well, that is not true at all. Actually, the man was never landed here at all. It was actually what we know today as Haiti, where they recently suffered a devastating earthquake. Yes, that Haiti. You know… one of the countries that the current occupant of the white house recently called “Sh*tholes”? You can read more about the Columbus nonsense in Vince Schillings article in Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN)
Speaking of the “Cheeto” (my word) administration, when you watch this republican administration “tackle immigration” Remember America’s TRUE history. It’s so-called “Founding Fathers” who are so revered in American history books, and even molded into mountainsides (AKA Mount Rushmore) never once talk about the genocide they are guilty of to Native American People. Of how President Lincoln, who gets a pass for supposedly freeing the slaves, ordered 38 Dakota men to be hung. (watch the full documentary “Dakota 38 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pX6FBSUyQI)
You don’t see our Indigenous leaders elevated to the status of the founding fathers, do you? Or Camila’s relatives for the contributions they have made to America as immigrants? No, you don’t. In fact, more white men in American history are revered for their so-called accomplishments than that of other great leaders from other cultures. Where are their statutes & memorials? Very few exist.
Please try to remember the history that I am trying to convey to you here now. If you are an American citizen, Immigrant or not, I am sorry to report to you that this is also YOUR history. If you are uncomfortable right now, good. Because it IS uncomfortable. But think about how we as Indigenous Americans feel? How we continue to endure this historical trauma. Words & context matter!
I actually do not blame Camila Cabello. Not at all! I am truly HAPPY that she is PROUD of her accomplishments as a singer, a songwriter, and any other talent I am sure she has. On stage that night, an innocent 21-year-old girl, who may or may not have written her speech. Maybe political pundits had a hand in crafting her words. It’s mainstream television, so anything is possible. But please, when you hear “America was built by dreamers” or “immigrants” remember American Indigenous history. Because it’s being ignored..yet again…