Los Cenzontles, a Mexican folk music group based in the city of San Pablo, in the San Francisco area, composed a corrido in response to the new Arizona law. Corridos are a musical form developed in Mexico during the 1800s which told stories in poetic form using simple words and music. Traditionally they were meant to inform the listener about actual events, even breaking news.
The song entitled Estado de Verguenza, which translates into "State of Shame," accuses Arizona of becoming known, rather than for its beauty, for its racism and hatred. The song was composed last week by Los Cenzontles's founder Eugene Rodriguez Along with the other members of the group (in English "The Mockingbirds"), Rodriguez runs a non-profit cultural arts center in San Pablo. The center is dedicated to promote the culture of Mexico by training about 200 students weekly in the country's traditional music, dance, arts and crafts.
A YouTube video of the song is posted below and it includes its English translation.
"Estado de Verguenza" by Los Cenzontles
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