Are you teaching OYE comO Va?

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then please Consider what I have to say>>>

Do you know what the lyrics are saying? 

Oye como va, mi ritmo
Bueno pa' gozar, m*lata
(Listen to my rhythm
Good for fun m*lata)

The Merrimm-Webster defines:
mulattanoun
mu·​lat·​ta | \ məˈlatə, myəˈ-, myüˈ-, -atə \
plural -sDefinition of mulatta
sometimes offensive
: a mulatto woman or girl : MULATTRESS
Definition of mulatto
1usually offensive: the first-generation offspring of a Black person and a white person
2usually offensive: a person of mixed white and Black ancestryFirst Known Use of mulatto1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology for mulattoSpanish mulato, from mulo mule, from Latin mulus

As a mixed person, who is of Black and white ancestry, I was shocked and then hurt, to know this song that I loved by Santana, was calling me less than human, likening me and my mixed identify to that of a mule. 

I literally taught this song to my students last year, and felt immediate shame knowing I continued to normalize the dehumanization of Black bodies through this awful term in 
Santana's song. 

So here I am, to say I am NOT anything less because of my mixed identity, Mixed people are people and deserve to be treated as such. 

Join me in finding a different song that shows off Santana's Talent. I can NOT tell you how to be antiracist, in your teaching practice. Perhaps i can suggest you find AnOther Santana song. I encourage you to find a Santana song that honors him without degradIng mixed people.

Click here to purchase my middle school lesson on Santana VS Rihanna. 

What are some suggestions you might have?

Comment your ideas below! 

-Mrs. Dunc