"Pedro Navaja" got us hooked on this number from West Side Story. Although never fans of this musical or musical theater in general, this is a clever (and problematic) song on Puerto Rican migration in the US. The gendered difference in perceptions of their experience in New York is interesting in itself.
"problematic", is that a euphemism for racist?
ReplyDeleteBroadway version: "ANITA
Puerto Rico . . .
You ugly island . . .
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing . . .
And the money owing,
And the babies crying,
And the bullets flying.
I like the island Manhattan.
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!"
1961 film version:
"ANITA
Puerto Rico,
My heart's devotion—
Let it sink back in the ocean.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing,
And the money owing,
And the sunlight streaming,
And the natives steaming.
I like the island Manhattan—
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!"
Ever heard of Dr. Cornelius Rhoads? (https://listverse.com/2012/10/26/8-atrocities-committed-again-puerto-rico-by-the-us/)
Yes, we meant racist. Problematic was one of the problematic euphemisms for racism or discrimination that you don't hear too often anymore.
DeleteThat's problematic. Does the music sound Puerto Rican to you? I may be wrong but it sounds Mexican to me.
DeleteNot particularly.
Delete