OPINION: "Cacho has been a misogynistic, sexist, transphobic man for years"

Did you see those family and neighborhood parties we had to endure at some point? The thing was, we either did everything we could to avoid going, or we went and stayed isolated, without dancing. In my case, when I had to go to a birthday party or wedding, I'd stick to my mom, like a cry for help, begging her to "let this shit be over quickly so we can go home.".

January 10, 2018

By Violeta Alegre* Have you seen those family and neighborhood parties that we all had to endure at some point? The thing was, we either did everything we could to avoid going, or we went and stayed isolated, without dancing. In my case, when I had to go to a birthday party or wedding, I'd stick to my mom, like a cry for help, begging for "this shit to be over quickly so we can go home." I know many women who took advantage of that setting to make their "official coming-out" appearances and showed up looking incredibly out of character, when no one in the family knew anything. They probably suspected something, but the courage to show up in drag at those gatherings spoke of a deep weariness, a need to BE among that whole family that claimed to love you and be responsible for your upbringing. A lot was at stake in that act. For many, it was forced acceptance. For others, it was the street. At those "festive" family gatherings, one of the things I suffered through was the songs that I felt were mocking me. The one about "the sultans," where the "funny" uncle always appeared, acting all effeminate, and everyone laughed. The song by the one everyone's talking about for his "unfortunate" line : "in the face of rape, relax and enjoy it ," with "The Queen of the Dance," which recounts the preparations for a big dance party in a neighborhood hall. Posters, radio ads, orchestras, and even Juan Ramón singing, where the guys will choose "the queen." Amid the nighttime frenzy, the warm beer, a fat woman who falls, and the supposed queen whom no one asks to dance, no one "picks up," no one "takes away"—who knows why?—it all comes down to the fact that the drunken jury members made the worst choice. With the lights on and amidst whistles, the jury crowned A TRANSVESTITE. When I learned of the statements made by this standard-bearer of patriarchy, machismo, and transphobia, to be honest, I was surprised. Not by him, but by the sensationalist press that exploits us. They're now moralizing about Mr. Cacho's "unfortunate" remarks, when Cacho has been a misogynistic, sexist, and transphobic man for years . One of those irresponsible individuals who, through the unconscious influence of his art (in this case, music), has shaped a generation, causing the very ills for which we now take to the streets, to schools, to demand legal frameworks . We have been achieving them, and we are continuing to achieve them. A few days ago I read an article about Paul B. Preciado—a gender philosopher, transfeminist, activist, and queer theorist—where he said: “ I find artistic practice—visual arts, music, film—so important because these are the spaces where the structure of desire is constructed and manipulated. They are the spaces where dominant policies, whether about gays and lesbians or feminists, are primarily discussed. They'll say, 'Well, let's change the law,' but the law might not modify the structure of desire. That's why I'm interested in the relationship between activism, criticism, and art. One problem is that historically, artists are in one place, philosophers in another, and activists very, very far away.” It made me reflect on the distance from artistic practice. Where, whether because of a rhythm, a hit song, or a generation, it seems we're expected to forgive; without being aware that these kinds of practices engage directly with the cultural structures where we must be very vigilant because, in concrete terms, they are killing us. I understand my sister Wayar more and more when she says, “I’m not interested in talking to adults. Adults have to convince me that they weren’t complicit in creating this world of failure and violence. I demand to be convinced! That’s why I prefer to focus so much on children.” Children: Is Cacho also asking them to relax and enjoy themselves? All those children who are abused by uncles, grandfathers, heterosexual fathers? No, we’re not relaxing, Cacho. What we do expect is that you, as part of a generation, never open your mouth again. * Trans activist, teacher, consultant for the World Bank, with a diploma in Gender Studies from the National University of General Sarmiento.

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