Latino

Las Manos de Filippi's song "Latino" is a powerful declaration of Latin American identity and resistance against cultural and political oppression. The lyrics are a mix of pride, defiance, and satire, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of Latin American identity. The opening lines, "Soy latino, sandino / Soy argentino / Soy latino americano / Somos todos transítanos," establish a sense of unity among Latin Americans, regardless of their specific nationality. The reference to Sandino, a Nicaraguan revolutionary leader, underscores the song's revolutionary spirit and anti-imperialist stance.

The song's critique of American imperialism is evident in the lines, "Odio a los yanquis / Salvo a los negros / Grito Mandela como si fuera / Un ejemplo de la raza." Here, the artist expresses disdain for American (referred to as 'yanquis') dominance while acknowledging the struggles of African Americans and celebrating Nelson Mandela as a symbol of racial equality and resistance. This juxtaposition highlights the artist's awareness of global struggles against oppression and the interconnectedness of these movements.

The lyrics also delve into the internal contradictions and struggles within Latin American societies. The lines, "Soy una raza jodida para andar / Por una plaza de caraza," and "Soy de la raza bataraza. / La gallina de la plaza," use animal metaphors to describe the marginalized and often ridiculed status of certain groups within Latin America. The self-deprecating humor in the final lines, "Soy de raza blanca / Un caniche enano / Tengo pompones en las manos / En las patitas y en el rabo / ¡Soy un perro muy malo!," serves as a satirical commentary on the absurdity of racial and cultural stereotypes. By embracing these stereotypes and turning them on their head, the artist challenges the listener to question and reject simplistic notions of identity.