I think it's unfair to call filmmakers "sellouts" just because they are taking their work to the next level. Angel and Stevie are exploring the world of LittleLoca, and a short film will extend their vision to a wider audience.

Yes lets all bring "Blackface" Back too. THATS the Next level baby! THE NEW MILLENIUM MINSTEL SHOW! There is true racism that happens in this country. I know in LA everyone has their own little click and maybe it all doesn't seem that bad. But you don't have to go very far to see that Latinos are hated and kept down in this society by subversive disgustingly racist people.
How does backing this draconian woman Stevie Ryan do anything to elevate the Latino people. If you can explain that to me. I won't call you all sell outs anymore. But until then whether you are selling out for your art or selling out for a buck its all the same to me. WHat is the message? That a white girl can play a Chola better than a CHola? That we need a white woman to explain to CHolas "The WAY to BE?" Being that this site is made and operated by LATINOS I would really like to know what the hell is going on with this. And how can you defend Little Loca?

Hmmm....

Well Anonymous, I have waited my whole life for interactive video and so here we are...

First, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to post your very strong (possibly interpreted as draconian by some...;-) opinion. When Paul and I created BullfightersCafe, we actually met with several people; all who had their own personal ideas or opinions about Latino culture and their assosciation with it. We realized then that we were not going to be interpretors of the culture as much as providers of a platform. A sounding board for ideas and opinions and above all a space for human expression through art. That said, Paul and I continue to scour galleries, cafes and the internet to spot stories (not just people) we feel meet that requirement.

Although, upon reading your post, I felt judged, I want you to know that I respect what you are saying. My intention is not to "change" what you think but perhaps give you some things to ponder and respond to. I'm a Puerto Rican/Venezuelan from NYC but somehow the most difficult lines of your post for me to accept were "There is true racism that happens in this country. I know in LA everyone has their own little click and maybe it all doesn't seem that bad. " What did you mean by that? I took it as a metrocentric statement, that assumes since we are in LA, we are less intelligent, aware, concerned about racism? This presumption is false and corrosive to the goal of elevating Latinos you mention in your next sentence.

Believe you me, I wish I could single handedly say that I did something that elevated my people. I'm not so bold. I will say this: Thousands of viewers come not just to watch Loca but to engage in debates and communication about everything from lipstick to social issues. THIS is huge. Communication is ELEVATION. Your post, made me think, it got my juices flowing. Ooooh, I was mad at first. Defensive even. Locamotion Derailed is a satire! Most of Stevies characters are! You don't like it, you don't get it and you said several things that offended me but you know what, in the end, I'm happy to fight through and respect your opinion. I don't even know if you are Latino or an artist but you are a living human being with a brain and feelings. Paul and I state in our mission for BullfightersCafe, that we hope every artist contributing to this site will find inspiration, support, and strength among fellow artists that have stepped into the ring and successfully overcome their bull! Whatever inspired you to write, is what ART is about. So whether you go on to create a book, song, image or film, that represents your ideas, I truly hope you continue to be true and wish you success.

Angel

You are much more level headed than I. I can at least admit to that. Maybe to be like you is a privilege while my temperament remains a curse. But I will make no apologies but this. I swallowed a thread that burns in the pit of my stomach. I don't know where it came from and I don't know how to get rid of it. But from it cuts the details of my soul.
You were right to feel put upon. And for me all art extends from a hidden anger within a person that they like to paint up to impress the masses. But don't be mistaken. My intentions were to make you feel guilt. Because guilt is not easily expressible as art. Because you have to wallow in it. And though you can hide behind art guilt will bring you out of those dark corners you have found to hide that little awkward child you once were. Feel it? Do you feel guilt? Good! Because guilt sucks!
All Latinos in the United States should feel that guilt. Everyday Latinos are treated as the scourge of the States. As if somehow they were less human and less deserving of the freedoms men and women have enjoyed here. Their families went to wars and still return to wars for this country to only return to the same state they always endured. At the same time Doctors start their careers botching this pregnancy and that one practicing on the herds of Latinas that bombard the health care system. This way when they get to their private practices they don't mess up on Miss Cleaver. Or the secret tricks that are used within the health care system to facilitate population control. The number of Latinos that are addicted to sugar and that take the drugs they were told to to fix their diabetes. The Latinos that have forgotten about their brothers and sisters and do nothing to improve their lives but will take that money to increase theirs by increments. It is Guilt that will call u to task. If you want, call this guilt trip a piece of art perfectly molded for the BULL fighters cafe. Strangely now that name seems counterintuitive and ironic. Because there are no BULLS you have bladed. Only the BULL you have added.
In LA the Latinos are less worried. I know this to be true because many of them cannot see beyond their own block. And money and power is where their hearts lie! Yet it is the Vigen De Guadalupe that mourns for her children in the fields and on the fences.
Sell out is a terrible term. A more fitting one is apathetic. That is what this seems to me. Apathy like oil poured over the head that suffocates all and sees no hope. This perpetual inbred fucking of the same dryed out spaces. In this sense. It is not the Latinos that are held down by the dominant culture. It is the Latinos that are held down by their own kin. Because CAIN was envious of ABLE having the better gift. Able's gift was the fertile perfectly wonderous gifts of the land that multiplied his children. And Cains gift was a golden Bullfighter fighting dead causes and worshiping his idol. Believe it or not, everyday Jose's such as myself do look to the Artists of our age to point out the hypocricies and lies that are fed to him by the media. Because I don't believe that my gente are the burden of this society. I believe they are the light of it. I only wish ELEVATION did not simply mean discussion to you folks. I wish it meant Respect too.
We all know you can turn now and deconstruct everything I said and completely destroy my argument. But if you do you would have failed to understand that I am not here to fight with you. I honestly could care less. But after looking through your site I wonder what you folks are here for. Because the only art that is worth a damn to me is the art that either angers, breaks or builds. And since you chose anger you should rightly so feel the wrath of it. What would happen if the Bullfighters cafe was to get mad? I'm not sure they have the backbone for it.
Cisne redondo en el rio,
ojo de las catedrales,
alba fingida en las hojas
soy; �no podran escaparse!

I'm not a slave to anger or guilt or anything that would paralyze me from EFFECTIVELY fighting for a change. We obviously have major differences in opinion over all these issues.

Able offered his FIRSTFRUITS to God. His gifts were not accepted because they were better by nature but Cain CHOSE not to give his best. I've taken my gifts and I'm doing my best with them. Are you so preoccupied with my offering that you are ignoring your own? Is this the best you can do to make the world a better place? I hoping we can both do better, more. Fortunately for both of us, we are not the ultimate judge.

Although you cannot seem to take your eyes off Stevie Ryan there are other artist on this site who you also insult with your name calling. While you continue to be disrespectful, I can see that you really need a place to be heard so here you have it. Please don't confuse grace with foolishness. I will only post future comments that along with criticism, include practical solutions for making the site better. (i.e. recommendations of artists/work you think embody your ideals)

Be the change ~ Mahatma Ghandi

I am totally Spanish and it would be impossible for me to live outside my geographical boundaries; but I hate whatever is Spanish just for the sake of being Spanish and nothing else. I am a brother to all men and I detest anyone who sacrifices himself for an abstract nationalist idea only because he loves his country with a blindfold on his eyes. A good Chinese is closer to me than a bad Spaniard. I sing of Spain and feel Spain in the marrow of my bones, but above all I am a citizen of the world and brother to all. ~Federico Garcia Lorca (you are a fan of his no? ;-)

Correction...I will only RESPOND to posts that are constructive.

Angel