ECHs trying to Selena their way through Marc Anthony.
You’re not fooling anyone. As Educated Chicanos attempt to “broaden” their experiences and look to join the growing U.S. “pan-Latino” world that seems to celebrate Shakira way more than Los Tigres del Norte., ECHs will attempt to step into the brave new world of Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz and El Gran Combo. Well, it’s not a new world (since those artists have been around since the 1970s) but for ECHs, that clave sound seems so unique, yet so familiar.
Salsa! So much more appealing , urban and crossover than that country-ass stuff abuela made you listen to at all those quinceaneras! You can even bring your non-ECH friends along and not be embarrassed. They’ll find it so exotic, sexy, and “it,” and will ask you, the connector of all things to the Latin American world, to guide them through this wonderful experience.
However, you have no idea what you are doing. Until now, the only clave you’ve known are from those few Carlos Santana songs with congos. Oye Como Va? Yeah, right. More like Mira Como, Nah. You can’t dance it. You fake it with cumbia steps, and that gets you by, but there’s always that one Cuban asshole on the dance floor who calls you out. You almost show that punk you Che shirt underneath in response (see # 20).
Ashamed, you quietly take lessons. You sneak inside the class, and find (gasp!) that your mad-hot-salsa-ballroom teacher is white, and she’s always calling on you to show the class the new steps. But, alas, as you reach for your inner JLo, all that comes out is Selena. You’re just an ECH from the block, alright, just not one from the Bronx.
To be sure, some ECHs can dance salsa and do it pretty well. After all, getting educated on the East Coast for some does has its perks. How else could an ECH deal with all the isolation than with trying to connect with any fellow grad students with similar backgrounds. You’ll be also to pick up some moves, learn about the artists, even invent new turns. You’ll be all ready when you return home and go to that ECH wedding with the few salsa songs. You’ll know what to do. Just don’t expect to find another ECH with the same salsa skills. And if you can’t, remember, no matter what you’ve learned, don’t become that Cuban asshole and try to dish out on-the-spot lessons. Someone in the crowd is bound to be wearing a “Harvard ain’t shit, homes,” tee somewhere. Or on a tat.
