A group of our local artists decided to march by the Pataxó camp at Rio +20 this afternoon singing "Indians want whistles", a somewhat racist song from Carnaval 60 years ago, while dressed up as Indian clowns.
The Pataxó, naturally, took offence.
The Pataxó leader explained that there are no indigenous songs which make fun of other cultures and peoples. "Indians do not make music mocking other peoples. These people do not know Indians. In other states [of Brazil] many people do not know Indians, but know these songs."
"It's over with," said the band's leader, actor Luang Dacach said. "It was no big deal. I'll go talk to them later".
Dacach just couldn't keep his mouth shut beyond that, however. He just had to go and give the excuse white (or lighter-colored) Brazilians always give when they are caught being racist:
"I bought all the trinkets I'm wearing at the Indians' tent. I've got relatives who are Guarani..."
Yep, folks. You got that right. Here in Brazil, since we're all mestiços, after all, we can be as racist as we want to be. It's all just a god-damned joke, so why worry about it?
Oh, yeah. Almost forgot. Dacach went on to say he wasn't really making fun of the Pataxó, but of society itself. Y'know: it's ironic. That's it.
Well, take a look at the pictures and judge for yourself. I mean, we don't want to be condemning the lad out of hand...
Maybe he can find a new career as the public relations guy for Spinal Tap, ya reckon?
Posts
