Cristina Makes it to Season 7: Mexican Grace Returns

by Antonio Maristela

Cristina Santana could very well become the champion of So You Think You Can Dance, Season 7. With a successful opening start and winning her spot to Las Vegas, just a few weeks ago, so far so good, right? But every step to that finish line is itself a daily success story, not just for Cristina’s dancing career, but for San Diego, and for America, as well. God, Bless Us All.

Because Cristina, as the female-dance contestant with a background in latin dance, she truly embodies the grace of a world class ballroom dancer. However, she is not a ball room dancer. She is Salsa. And that makes her an underdog, but a sexy one at that.

The big laugh is that in today’s environment, especially with political controversies along the border states like California, Arizona and New Mexico, the Mexican spirit has been trampled by its opponents who look at the Mexican influence has a cultural threat. Dirty. Unwanted. Criminal. Filthy. And these are not descriptions of poor, illegal, undocumented migrants. I’m referring to Mexican culture.

In the  case of Cristina Santana, the beauty and charm of Mexican grace returns with a vengeance.  Sultry.  Sexy.  Agile.  Calculated.  Hot.  And the Mexican Revolution has gained a new heroine through the course of dance auditions.

With all the controversy with La Raza and its efficacy in secondary school Ethnic Studies, in Arizona, it appears the Mexican charm has become targeted as something to avoid. All the tell tale signs of yesteryear when the Americanization of Poncho to Frank, Maria to Mary and the English-izing of multiculturalism was in full effect.

But what’s different about the energy of Cristina is that she represents the essence of American Dream. Mexican-American underdog using the vehicle of dance. Go figure. Using Art? Using the beat of the ‘clave’? Dancing on 1..2..3…5..6..7? Didn’t Arizona also get rid of music, and performing arts? Or was that a Federal decision that happened just a decade ago? You mean a Mexican-American dancer with a Spanish accent using latin dance is winning the hearts and minds of a jaded American mass culture caught up in reality variety show discoveries, applauding only to talent like America’s Best Dance Crew’s own, Jabberwokeez (an asian group with one black, who literally have to wear white masks to be taken seriously) is in pole position of being a true to life rags-to-riches story tale? How awesome is that? Go figure.

San Diego continues to wait for a winner. The Chargers almost had it last year, like all the other years. But we settled for Drew Brees to be the prodigal son who brought home to his beloved family a Super Bowl ring, even if it does have the Saints emblem. We’re okay with that, because he was an underdog. Hell, Lambert almost took it home for San Diego but lost the American Idol spot to the “other guy”. We all remember cringing  in desperate wait to hear Lamberts name be announced as winner for the city and for Gay America. Such a disappointment that was, right?

But Cristina is different. Cristina brings her smile. She brings her rolled tongue. She brings her samba skirt. Her cha cha heels. And she carries every explicative, derogation, and unmentionable about her ethnic heritage, but this time in envy.

Go Cristina!!!!! Viva San Diego! Viva Salsa! Viva Performing Arts! Viva Master Puppets! Viva Multiculturalism! Viva Mexico! Viva Raza! Viva America! Viva Cristina!!!!!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 9:45 am and is filed under CURRENTS, Master Puppet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.