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| Jennifer Lopez as Selena in the movie of the same name. LOVED IT! |
Anyway, I thought I deleted the post, but apparently nothing gets deleted in Google Reader. So the purpose of this post is to replace that post still floating around RSS Feedville. I have deleted all of the content that was hurtful to some and left a picture of Jennifer Lopez as Selena, because that is one of my favorite movies. I was truly impressed that Selena didn't speak Spanish until she was a teenager and went on to be world famous singing songs in Spanish!
The deal was this: I made light of instances where it would have helped if I had known how to speak Spanish, such as when I went to order a cake and no one spoke English in the bakery. Let's just say my Spanish didn't quite cut it and there was a tractor on the cake where there should have been a guy playing golf.
I can see why my post would have offended some, as, looking back, I was making stereotypical references. The references were situations that I have actually been in recently, but that doesn't matter. It wasn't sensitive on my part.
Let me just make it clear: I don't care if you speak only Spanish, only English or are bilingual. Everyone has different life circumstances and it is not my place to say you should speak one language or another. I do like that some at least speak English, so that you can read this blog. :)
I have received some angry messages, tweets, etc. from people that have decided to unfollow for this post. From deep down, please know that I never, ever meant to hurt anyone. Three of my bridesmaids know Spanish. My best friend since 4th grade speaks Spanish, as does her husband. We are actually going on vacation in a few weeks to visit them in Arizona. One of my best friends in college is fluent in Spanish, majored in Spanish and works in a prestigious position translating to Spanish speakers. I LOVE trying to speak Spanish and interacting with people of all cultures.
Shame on me for offending you.
I leave you with a few pictures that I included in the post, just to make it somewhat worth your while for stopping by...
| Me raising the flag at Pancho's Mexican restaurant, one of my favorite past times. |
| When I think of Pancho's, I think of the 80's. We always ate there. I don't think much has changed at this Pancho's since the 80's. We had orange and green walls in our house in 1979. |
| That dessert stand makes me think of Three's Company. Where's Jack, Janet & Crissy? |
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23 comments:
Valid points. I remember Panchos. Eat all you want and shit the rest of your day away. lol
Kelley - I think you're very brave and insightful for issuing an apology. I appreciate your sense of humor (as it's a lot like mine) and perhaps the people were offended weren't as familiar with your writing. I live in South Florida and like you in Houston, I can certainly name more than a dozen instances where having known Spanish would have come in handy...and yes, most of those are laughable too.
it would be nice if tone were easier to convey through blogging, but we are limited by italics and BOLD and CAPSLOCK and...that's pretty much it. I feel you, sometimes it's very hard to say what you're trying to say when you're writing it.
Adios!
Kelley, I know that your entire blog 'persona' is to be tongue in cheek, and you would never offend anyone on purpose.
grabbing your 'nads and apologizing for offending anyone just makes me love you more.
p.s. I know like 4 spanish words. Maybe 14 if you include the numbers...and I truly believe that this country will eventually be bi-lingual and therefore, I am screwed.
being 1/4 Spanish myself and not having learned the language until High School I think I should start calling myself Selena?
and since I read BOTH posts I will just say that one of my favorite past-times growing up in Colorado was raising the little flag at Casa Bonita... because you've gotta fill up on delicious sopapillas when the rest of the food is that horrible!!!
Kelley, I didn't read that post, but having read your blog for a while now, I know you would not set out to offend anyone. Some people just don't get your sense of humor. But good on you to get on with it with this post.
Kelly I didn't read the post you are referring to but I think that you have a very kind heart which is evident from this post and how worried you were about offending others. There are many who would not have retracted anything or been sensitive to the feedback they received. I'm sure it's been a tough day and I hope that people start to go easier on you. Hang in there.
Okay, I missed that one, but I garunteed you I would NOT have been offended. Regardless, yay for stepping up! I once wrote something that offended my own mother so much that she called me in tears. Oops.
Some people take life too darn seriously; love you Kelly!
I didn't read the other post but I lived in Houston for most of my life and I'm SURE I can relate to WHATEVER you wrote! :) Ponchos is awesome... I had my 8th birthday party at the one in Humble... got a sombrero and all the waiters sang the "happy birthday song" that I could never understand because they sing it so fast! Oh, and I got a pinata and my picture on the wall for the next year! I need to take my husband there when we visit my family again... he should raise the flag and order some sopapillas! :)
Es todo bueno, chiquita! No worries. Some people are too easily offended. And I agree with the other commenter who mentioned the offended folks must not read your blog regularly. This is a blog of hilarity, and any time humor is involved there is potential for SOMEONE to get offended, even if it's not your intention. We still love you. And Pancho's.
Oh, and we also love tres leches, even when it's covered in tractors. ESPECIALLY when covered in tractors.
Thanks for this post. I don't doubt you came from a good place. I just discovered your blog, actually and it is very amusing indeed. Thank you again!
Laura P.
"Que?" jajaja or hahahaha! I didn't read your post but just know that sometimes, I do the exact same thing and I am 100% hispanic.
You are kind to issue a redux of your post but probably unnecessary. Anyone who reads your stuff knows you are a humorist and 'slice of life' reporter. Of course you don't want to offend readers but free speech means just that - not politically or personally CORRECT speech. I personally am an equal opportunity offender. I don't knowingly try to yank chains but since we write often, it happens sometimes. SO BE IT. If I don't like what I read, I either comment or move-on. Follow me, ignore me, take a joke, or don't take one - it's not our place to make anyone feel any certain way - it's on them 100%. Again I am proud of you for being so kind, but you have nothing to apologize for as far as I'm concerned. Have a great 4th and keep up the wonderful and creative writing! W.C.C.
KKell, I didn't see the original post, but I know that you're not an offensive person -- because I am and I can spot one a mile away! Nice of you to apologize, but probably not necessary, most people today are way too PC and hypersensitive. Just be yourself, we love you the way you are!! PS You're mentioned (albeit briefly) on today's LG Report....
Keep on keeping on KKell!
I read both posts. I loved both posts. I would venture to say one had to have an agenda before they even read what you wrote because there was simply nothing to be offended about. Also, freedom of speech. Also, this is a personal blog. That being said, your apology was sweet and nicely written. I am a regular reader and am as of today an official follower!
Cheers-
Kristen
threeinthenest.blogspot.com
All I have to say is that I live in Cleveland and Croatian is spoken here. And I swear every single one of them is an Anesthesiologist.
You are too sweet and funny for anyone to have thought otherwise.
I can't imagine you ruffling any feathers. If I knew the Spanish word for feathers, I'd use it here.
You're good to make amends if you felt it only right.
Kelley, you're a total class act. You manage to be funny all the time without offending, which is difficult to do in today's disgustingly PC society.
I don't think it was fair of people to accuse you of stereotyping when you were sharing true instances of your own experiences.
Keep on keepin' on, girl, and continue bringing the funny.
Muah.
Missed the drama but just wanted to say I admire your honesty and willingness to apologize for others feelings. That makes you human and why most follow your blog. :)
Oh Kelley - this must have been so hard for you! I have no idea what the previous post said, but kudos to you for addressing it and might I just add,
LIGHTEN THE HELL UP, PEOPLE? No? Don't add that? Okay, I won't.
But in the immortal words of Benihana, "Que Sera Sera."
It doesn't matter which language is, I think it is always good to learn and speak other languages, in my case I'm fluent in spanish, German and English, and right now I'm learning Hebrew.
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Comments make me feel like I'm not talking to the wall. Don't get me wrong. I love talking to walls. Some of my best friends are walls. Still, I like hearing from you, so thanks!