Asian groups join Latinos in condemning Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga released the lyrics to her transgender civil rights song “Born This Way” a couple days back. Many have accused Lady Gaga of ripping off Carl Bean who also has a song called “Born This Way” with very similar lyrics. Several others have accused her of ripping off Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful.
The most serious charges against “Born This Way” is that the song is racist, especially against Latinos. Some of the lyrics include:
DON'T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN
WHETHER YOU'RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN
YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT
YOU'RE LEBANESE, YOU'RE ORIENT
WHETHER LIFE'S DISABILITIES
LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED
REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY
'CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY
Phoenix-based Chicanos Unidos Arizona spokesperson Cecilia Maldonado understands Lady Gaga’s intent, but thinks the terms “Chola” and “Orient” are harmful. “These are stereotypical terms. “Chola” is as derogatory as the “N” word when referring to a Hispanic female.
Robert Cardenas of MEChA thinks Lady Gaga may help popularize the term. “Right now, Chola isn’t a widespread word. But after this song is released, it could be used against Latinas. This is very disappointing.”
Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” will be performed at the Grammy Awards next month. For a look into what homosexual organizations think of Lady Gaga's new song, click the following:
Comments
I think that anybody who takes these lyrics as racist must have a racist mind themselves to begin with. The whole point of the song is to tell people that it's okay to be who they are, and that they shouldn't let anybody judge them. They were born that way, and they are all special in their own way.
Exactly.
i second the second exactly...a nd im mexican and lady gaga didnt invent the word "chola" and i hate to agree but quit making everything about race so much... lady gaga's neglect didnt lead to the over heating death of a 17 year old girl working in the california fields.... you know whos neglect lead to that..... the mexican businessowners who hired her let her die... what say you?
This song IS racist. I always liked Gaga, but now see that she is a biggot.
@Laurwnce do you have some sort of mental problem or are you just a moron? Perhaps you were born this way? ;)
I think that anybody who is actually a fan of this slut is not only racist, but deranged.
Dimitri, you are so right
Your comment is hilarious
lol lol lol
As a Latina, don't you dare tell me how to feel about this very offensive term.
Yeah, I wasn't born a chola. I was born an American.
Well shes not racist, she has lost her faith in god, ( i am a catholic who believes in god, loves him and follows his way).Look for more info, by typing illuminati.
gaga is making a point, be it above your head, she is calling attention to racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. unfortunately, all us minorities deal with this effin language from bigots. she's saying eff them. embrace you. if you don't get that...it's sad.
Really now? Racist? You've got to be kidding me. This song is about loving yourself for who you are. What about songs like "Lean Like a Cholo" and rap songs that use the n-word? Those songs certainly contribute to popularizing derogatory terms and without the positive message Lady Gaga sends with Born This Way.
I agree. Most of the people screaming "racist" are racist themselves. I imagine if it was a Hispanic person singing "cracker" or something worse, people wouldn't say a word.
Thank you, Miguel. I am a Latina and I am very offended by this Madonna ripoff. At least Madonna had an ounce of talent (not much, but a little). Lady Caca, not so much.
Lady Gaga has as much talent as Madonna. I'm Latino and I didn't find these lyrics racist. You just have a racist mind
Lady Gaga is better at singing, producing, songwriting, and performing than Madonna ever was. She's written all her songs, co-produced on many of them, is an excellent pianist, gives incredible live performances (with live singing), and promotes a message of love and freedom. Madonna, like your post, just sucks hard on hard candy.
yea, right.
This song is a ripoff of :Carl Bean's "Born This Way." There is nothing original about it. You are the first person in the media to note that this song is actually racist.
dusty springfield also had a song titled "born this way"
your comment is invalid.
Miguel--I often don't comment on your articles because sometimes they are too divisive. But, you are SPOT ON with this article. Lady Gaga is an actual creation of the right wing to make homosexuals look bad. She could care less about her "little monsters.' It's all exploitation. This song, by the way, is extremely racist. Great job, Miguel!
A creation of the right wing? Are you serious? She herself is bisexual, and she's made fun of every day for her crazy outfits and crazy ideas. This song is the embodiment of what Lady Gaga represents. It's not exploitation. It's sincere, and to call this song racist is laughable.
"Daryl Deino created A LIFE" will hopefully be the next thing to appear on his 'activities' list. It is clear that he is in desperate need of one.
This is so stupid. If a Black person calls someone a Cracker, they aren't racist, but right when a white person says something they are racist. NO! This song is about loving who you are, because you were made that way.
Lady Caca's pathetic monsters will criticize you for this article, but this is one of the best I've seen on Examiner.com. This woman is an absolute scam artist.
Lady Caca? That's original. Your post reeks of ignorance and hatred.
totally on, antho75. this chic is white as all heck.
Wow, you guys are idiots! Did you read the rest of the song? lol If you really find offense to this song then you are nothing short than a hateful nazi racist pig.
And about Born This Way being a rip-off, I can't think of one song that is completely original. Songs tend to follow certain themes. For example, most of the songs on the top singles of iTunes are written about love, sex, and partying. That doesn't mean they are all rip-offs of each other.
Lady Gaga=Madonna without the talent and charisma. I predict a druge overdose soon.
um, gaga has a wider vocal range than madonna, plays the piano, keytar, drums and writes/produces the majority of her own music. i'm a huge madonna fan, but at least i'm not to blinded by hate that i can see that gaga has more talent than madonna.
Sorry, but Gagme isn't talented at all. Everythings she supposedly "writes" is a ripoff of other material.
Madonna can't sing. She's a manufactured pop star and she's simply done it for decades. That still doesn't change the fact that she has no talent. End of story.
white people cant say anything
that makes no sense
No one worried about the latin community when jennifer lopez used the word Chola in her music video. Blacks always use the word n*gger in all the videos when talking about shooting there own community. This song actually represents loving yourself no matter who you are.
Jennifer Lopez actually HAS talent. Caca...not so much.
Anyone who thinks Jennifer Lopez has talent should never f*cking give their opinion in a public setting. Idiot.
hahhahahaaaaaa. that has to be a joke. jennifer lopez? talent? retard much?
Since when is saying that spanish people are beautiful racist?
Thanks, Miguel. As an Asian American, I cringe at the word "Orient." This no-talent b**tch needs to go.
As an Asian American, I cringe at your post. She's very talented, and orient is not derogatory. "CacatheBigot" is an interesting username. Something tells me you've posted about 20 hateful comments here with the same exact message of stupidity and malice.
Hey! I am an Asian American, too.
I don't see anthing wrong with the lyrics.
'Orient' is just another word that shows I was born this way.
I am Asian living in Amrican. I never deny it. I am who I am.
All of my Asian friends and I will buy the single and album Born This Way, no matter what others say.
This is a stupid have you heard his version of born this way. HA HA get a life Lady gaga didn't copy just listen to his song. Your so lame any thing for attention. Try writing something positive. The song is racist my ass. Amen Hooker
This song is not racist, and it is not a rip off of Carl Bean's Born This Way. The similarities between the songs are THE TITLES. It's also not a ripoff of Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. Aguilera didn't even WRITE that song and though it was a great song for the LGBTQ community this song is completely different. People are freaking out that she isn't being "original" but she's not trying to claim that she was the first person to say "BE YOURSELF"...she's simply furthering a great cause and trying to include all races and all sexualities. If you read the lyrics of any other top 25 song, they are nothing compared to this song. "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? We R Who We R?" These lyrics are very good and once the song and video come out all the haters can suck it when Gaga rules 2011 again. She is extremely talented and extremely driven, and Born This Way, the album will be phenomenal
You've gotta be shi*ing me right? In almost ever African American song the "N" word is used, and Chola has been used in other Mexican songs and Mexican artists as well. Plus Lady Gaga is trying to add YOUR race into a song about being yourself and living the way YOU want to live it. Don't be such an emotional, whiny a$$.
Let's hope that Arizona crazed killer gets let loose. His next target should ge Lady Gaga. He will become a hero then after murdering this no-talent, fake "activist."
Actually his next target should be you.
She has more talent in her feces than you will ever aspire to have.
Anyone who has the audacity to wish death on someone else who they don't even know should take a VERY long walk off of a very short cliff. And if that doesn't work I would be beyond pleasured to push your sorry ass.
you're disgusting. You shouldnt even joke about that awful murderer and refur to him as a hero. You shoud say that infront of the families that lost their loved ones that day if they think its funny that you think if he killed one more person he would be a hero. ew your so gross it sickens me
My response to this post was too long.
Find it here. I think it will make you think:
http://iamtayloralexander.tumblr.com/post/3003238200/btwracist
Thank you for this. It's very well written and addresses all of the issues here. Finally someone who is educated and sensible.
Thank you for your post. I loved everything you had to say in it.
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