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From Madrid, singer Gloria Estefan condemned hate speeches against migrants and affirmed the pride of speaking Spanish and defending cultural roots.
In the midst of a political context marked by the tightening of immigration policies in the United States, the Cuban-American artist once again raised her voice in defense of immigrants.
In a recent interview with EFE, from the Spanish capital, where she headlined the main concert of the Hispanic Heritage celebrations, the Cuban-American artist reflected on her own story of exile and questioned the use of fear as a political weapon.
"Every time elections come around, they look for someone to blame, and it's almost always the latest immigrant who arrived. It's easy to incite hate, especially with social media," said Estefan, who has been living in the U.S. for over 60 years after leaving Cuba with his family.
The singer, who has just released her first entirely Spanish album in 18 years, titled Raíces, expressed regret that migration is still associated with crime, when statistics demonstrate the contrary.
"We only want respect, love, and the ability to support our families. We are all human, no matter where we come from, and that will always be my way of thinking," he emphasized.
The artist also took advantage of her time in Spain to advocate for the value of the Spanish language, in a gesture she interprets as a symbolic response to the policies of President Trump, which have sought to limit its use in institutions and public spaces in the U.S.
“For Emilio and me, it is essential to celebrate our language. It is important that we raise our voices and not be afraid,” added the Queen of Latin Pop, who has previously spoken up in defense of immigrants in the United States.
Estefan stated that there is scientific evidence that speaking multiple languages supports cognitive development in children and emphasized that in many countries, multilingualism is a common aspect of daily life.
“Singing in both languages was important for my career. There were always those who said it wouldn’t work, but Emilio and I never stopped in the face of a ‘no’,” said the artist who next Monday will be honored by having a street named after her in Miami Beach.
During her time in Madrid, the artist also addressed the controversy surrounding the payment for her performance at the Hispanic Heritage celebrations.
He acknowledged that he charged much less than usual because he is not on tour and directly took on the costs of staging, equipment, and musicians.
“I loved the motto ‘In Madrid, all accents fit’, and I wanted to take the opportunity to reconnect with the Spanish audience,” he said to EFE.
Regarding her legacy, Estefan was clear: she wants to be remembered for the pride in her roots and culture of origin: “Music was my catharsis as a child, it helped me overcome very tough times and will always continue to do so. I hope our legacy is this: to feel proud of who we are and where we come from.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Gloria Estefan and Her Stance on Immigration
Why does Gloria Estefan criticize the immigration policy of the United States?
Gloria Estefan criticizes the immigration policy of the United States because she believes it uses fear as a political weapon and that immigration is incorrectly linked to crime. The Cuban-American artist advocates for respect and humanity towards immigrants, emphasizing that everyone is human and deserves love and dignity.
What message does Gloria Estefan convey about the Spanish language?
Gloria Estefan emphasizes the value of the Spanish language, considering it essential for celebrating and preserving cultural roots. The artist highlights the importance of speaking multiple languages, pointing out their role in cognitive development and advocating for not being afraid to raise one's voice in Spanish, especially in a political context that has sought to limit its use.
How has Gloria Estefan's personal experience of exile influenced her activism?
Gloria Estefan's personal experience of exile has been a source of inspiration for her activism. Having emigrated from Cuba to the United States as a child, Estefan has closely witnessed the difficulties of exile, which drives her to advocate for immigrants' rights and to promote more humane and respectful treatment.
What is Gloria Estefan's stance on polarization in the United States?
Gloria Estefan has expressed her concern about the growing polarization in the United States, stating that she has never seen the country so divided. The artist calls for unity and respect for diversity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining humanity and not allowing fear and hatred to divide society.
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