Written by Not So Ugly Betty
The first thing I come across as I log into my email: Tiger Woods and his alleged affair. Oh, yes, the latest in celebrity infidelity controversies. The guy gets caught cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren (who, by the way, is a Swedish model), and he refuses to disclose any information. Of course, he doesn’t. Typical – should we even be surprised?
Add the fact that Tiger is ethnically mixed and this particular celebrity controversy thickens. Yes, we see infidelity among men in all genders and races, but thinking back to Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz’s “Hombres Necios” makes me wonder if the attack on the sexism of her time still speaks to the Latino community? I’ve got to say that infidelity, aside from excuses of unhappiness and sexual frustration, must be culturally-driven. As a woman of Latin background, I believe that the machismo and sexism that brands our culture, continues to exist today. In fact, I received my first lesson in Latino relationships in my ninth grade Spanish class thanks to Sor Juana, “Hombres necios que acusais / a la mujer sin razon, / sin ver que sois la occasion / de lo mismo que culpais…”. In other words, men want a demur, obedient wife or girlfriend to stand as their companion while also having a sex goddess on the side from which they can gratify their sexual needs. It seems like the obvious answer would be to choose a wife or girlfriend that is companion-worthy and sexually attractive, right? Wrong! For the Latino male, this would mean his wife or girlfriend has jumped from one end of the Latina dichotomy to the other: virginal perfection to anti-Católica whore who is nothing like “mi mami”. Has anyone noticed that Latino men get away with cheating all the time? It’s almost expected for Latino men to cheat, but the second a Latina cheats and everyone knows, she better be ready to wear the Scarlett A.
Just the other day, I was talking to a guy friend of mine about this subject and he pointed out Wisin y Yandel’s “Gracias a Ti”. Listen to this, “mi princesa sumisa me plancha la camisa.” What year are we in again? Last time I checked it wasn’t 1680…
As Latino men continue to think they can get away with anything, we must ask: is it because we, the helpless women of the world, allow them to? Instead, could it be that women are the same as men, but just smarter about hiding their extramarital escapades? Latino gentleman, take a step back and think, really think. We Latinas are intelligent, hard-working, independent, and sexy. Who can resist us? Do you really think you’re the only ones getting away with things?
Wisin y Yandel’s Gracias a Ti
About David Villafaña
