In light of the violent anti-gay attack that forced a 19-year-old Chilean teen to have his leg amputated, Mexican rock band Molotov announced this week that they will nix the word “maricon” from a song during their upcoming North American tour.
Last month, Esteban Navarro was attacked by a machete-wielding gang in Peñalolen, Chile, who reportedly called him “maricon” during the struggle. He was quickly taken to a hospital where he underwent a 15-day leg amputation surgery in order to stay alive.
Via Twitter:
“We are saddened by the recent attack on Esteban Navarro in Chile. This was an act of violence because they are LGBT. As an act of solidarity with Esteban Navarro and the LGBT community, we are choosing to refrain from using the word “maricon” in our song lyrics during our upcoming U.S. tour. This word was used by Esteban’s assailants in this pointless attack, and therefore, has no place in our set.”
The word “maricon” is Spanish slang for “faggot,” and is included in a Moltov song titled “Puto.” “Puto” literally translates to English as “male prostitute,” though many argue it is also used as an offensive anti-gay slur.
The band has been further pressured to strike the song entirely from the setlist, but Moltov quickly posted a note on Facebook defending the song’s message:
“Our music gives a voice to the people who aren’t in a position to do so for themselves and often times we sing about things that some governments don’t want you to see or hear. It is in this context that we composed the song “Puto.” It was conceived as a athartic song about our situation in Mexico at the time in the late ‘90’s and dedicated to anyone who attempts our freedom, to any coward who attempts against the people and to anyone who attempts against humanity. It was never meant to disrespect the gay community.”
Fans defending the band on Facebook have also suggested that “maricon” doesn’t carry as heavy a negative connotation as “faggot” does. Though, one could argue, that it was negative enough to be the choice words a gang of machete-weilding assholes dismembering an innocent teenager.
What do you think? Should Moltov strike the song “Puto” altogether, or is removing the word “maricon” enough?
Gabriel
Hello Mr. Tharrett,
I am sadden to read this article given it is quite misleading and most of its information is not accurate, but especially because I have unsuccessfully been attempting to contact Queerty through different channels in recent weeks. Had you bothered talking to a Spanish native speaker or someone involved in this issue, perhaps you would have had a different outcome.
Although your article makes it seem Molotov unilaterally decided this based on the attack against the Chilean man, it was actually due to mounting pressure through a petition on charge.org, an article on the Washington Post, condemnation by Ike Leggett, direct talks with GLAAD, among others. Also, the decision does not affect their “North America tour,” because, and unless my geography is incorrect, it only covers the United States and there has been no mention that it will also apply to Mexico (which is considered part of North America).
Molotov defense on semantics is not in regards to “Maricon,” where little or no debate exists on its meaning and clear reference to homosexuals, but on “Puto” for the tolerance that prevails in Mexico, and other Latin American countries to use anti-gay slur either to offend members of the LGBT community or as a synonym to weak, unworthy or offenses alike.
In addition, please make sure they are actually following through their promise to remove the word and include a message against anti-LGBT violence before the performance of “Puto.” As far as our sources have indicated, they failed to make any reference to the issue in their first concert in the United States (Orland, FL) and they did not remove the word “maricon” from their lyrics.
I will not extent my comment, but I encourage you and other readers to be more informed on the topic, to read Mr. Andres Duque blog where he translates the lyrics, and to know this is not a band playing nice with the LGBT community, but with shortcomings when it comes to their lyrics or responses to this issue.
balehead
Who are they again???…..
kbhmsw
Well, maybe if they didn’t have that word in their song, attacks like that wouldn’t have happened in the FIRST place! This is such a bullshit gesture. It’s rich coming from them, as a band comprised of men of color, that they would indulge in slurs in their songs against a whole group. How would they like it if the words “beaner”, “wetback”, or “spic” were used in another band’s music that led to hate crimes against Latinos? They would be pissed off, and justifiably so. They need to take responsibility for the words they use that influence their young fans, the same young demographic that is usually responsible for hate crimes. It’s not that they object to hate and bigotry; it’s just that they object to hate and bigotry when it comes to THEM. It’s like the Black rap songs or the Jamaican rappers with all the anti-gay lyrics. They have the blood of that poor young man on their hands, as long as their media products create a climate that teaches hate and fear, which is more than occasionally acted on in heinous acts of physical violence — or, “just” a denial of equal civil rights under the Law. This is just an empty gesture of a bigoted (and let’s not forget largely insignificant)”band”.
GeriHew
This song was on their first album which was released in 1997.
They should either sing the song as it is written or just drop it entirely from their set. Trying to censor a song like this by taking one word out is totally meaningless.
GeriHew
@balehead: They’re a grammy award winning band with millions of hits on YouTube and big following in the Latin community.
GeriHew
@kbhmsw: Molotova actually have a song about racism which uses words like beaner, wetback and gringo.
Molotov – Frijolero http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iJMOBcPQyg
Gabriel
Molotov keeps performing the song and they just added a “this song goes to all those who want to mess with our freedom of expression. Fuck your whore mother” Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nbMUh0833Q