Poll: Revisiting the Jessica Alba Controversy

Celebrity

Poll: Revisiting the Jessica Alba Controversy

by editor | 07.13.2009 | 6:09pm | 15 Comments
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It’s been over a year since Latina put Jessica Alba on the cover to address widespread rumors that she wasn’t proud of her Mexican heritage and didn’t want to be called Latina. At the time, many readers were angry that we featured the actress, accusing her of being a bad role model for Latinas. Others were grateful to finally hear Alba’s side of the story, and were relieved to learn that she is, in fact, very proud of who she is. Because that story continues to be extremely popular on our website, we began wondering if our readers have changed their minds about Alba. Now that she’s a dedicated wife and mother (daughter Honor Marie is 1) who gracefully balances her career with her personal life, tell us…

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15 Comments
katalinda
07.25.2009
2:10am
With Jessica, I can imagine that she had a harder time than me growing up because she is half Caucasian and is definitely American to Mexicans. I remember that the Anglos had the hardest time being accepted in the primarily Mexican community that I grew up in. I had a hard time because I was only half Mexican, not born in Mexico, didn’t speak Spanish and therefore “shouldn’t be considered Mexican” (Even though at first people assume I am Mexican and speak Spanish to me until I tell them I don’t pero hablo un poquito). When other Mexicans and Latinos told me that I wasn’t Mexican, I never knew how to respond except to say that I am Mexican because my mom is…my grandma is…and they cook me Mexican food and my grandma sings to me in Spanish… and the list goes on… I just don’t speak it even though I wish I did… As a person I don’t define myself by my ethnicity but I define myself based on beliefs and experiences and my ethnicity does play a strong role to the things I’ve experienced. But when people politely ask me my nationality I’m like American because nationality is where you were born/have citizenship. Then I say “So don’t you wanna know my ethnicity? Cuz that is different. Ethnically I am Mexican & Persian….” The word Latina can shed in image in people’s minds. This image of being a Latina – a woman that is a native Spanish speaker with that sexy Latina accent ( I know cuz men wanted me to speak all sexy Spanish to them and I was like lol sorry can't do that for ya..) That image may also consist of being a full Latino and socially tob be very associated with other Latinos. She could easily fail to identify with this image. Maybe she felt like she was being asked to define herself too. So many times people ask you about your background and it’s as if you are being asked to define who you are by your ethnicity which is ridiculous. Being confused is natural and happens to half bred people because of the rejection or just exclusion you constantly have to experience. Still it is important to be proud of your heritage and your ethnicity and be proud of the person that you are whether ethnicity has strongly influenced you or not and whether people of the same ethnicities accept you or reject you. It's very important to be able to distinguish between self-identity and ethnic background. She probably has a hard time putting these things into perspective. Maybe people shouldn’t be so hard on her. I can imagine her as a child, kids talking about her right in front of her saying “she isn’t Mexican, look at her, ella es una gringa y no habla…”
advocate216
07.14.2009
11:44pm
I dont care what anybody says....Jessica Alba is the best!!!! People shouldnt care about where she comes from or what tabloids say. All that matters is her side of the story and as long as she is being a good person, a good mother and still making great movies for me to go watch then everything is ok in my book. Oh and if i might add...For the people that say she doesnt like her Latin side...You guys should know that she has been practicing spanish and at the same time teaching and speaking to Honer Marie in spanish Also her specialty in cooking is Enchiladas and tortillas. So how in the world does she not like her latin roots yet she is learning and speaking spanish and also cooking it. Oh and her favorite fast food resturant is BAJA FRESH!!!! A mexican resturant!!! The list goes on and on about Jessica Alba and her proving to you morons that she does in fact like her latin side.
fishluva
07.14.2009
9:34pm
She's never done porn no matter what you've seen on your brother's computer. She hasn't even posed nude and has used a body double for movies when anything like nudity was needed. I think it's sad that she thought people wouldn't just automatically assume every single negative thing that was said about her was true, and had to find out how many people will just hate someone, even when it's shown that they're being lied about. I wish people weren't so cynical about celebrities, always expecting them to be the worst. Most of the time, they're decent people. And I think Alba definitely is! Oh, and she said in the interview she didn't want to be known as a Latina actress, but just an actress. Andy Garcia said the same thing recently, do you hate him now? It's so frustrating when people will just believe the worst and not look further.
Kameliablog
07.14.2009
5:06pm
The sad part about Jessica Alba is that I was a fan from the beginning, I mean I was a big fan- actually really liked her before all her "Don't Call Me Latina" comments and I was finally getting over them and concentrating on her body of work before she did this interview. All though I understand that when it comes to 2nd and 3rd generation, the connection to culture is sometimes difficult to understand if you don't experience it from a young age-- some of her comments were simply not thought out made the realities of her ignorance to the Latin community very much obvious. Although I don't doubt she is a wonderful mother and a good person-- sometimes when you don't understand something - such as the cultural bond experienced by a large community that your skin, body and face represent, it is better to just keep your mouth shut. She might not have asked to represent the Latin community in Hollywood- but unfortunately she, along with a couple other actress' do, so instead of announcing to the world how much she doesn't want to be referred to as one of us- maybe she should just keep her opinions to herself. As they say, Silence is golden.
PurpleChic
07.14.2009
4:22pm
I think that you miss out when you don't grow up learning about your culture. Jessica didn't grow up speaking Spanish or eating Spanish food, etc., so she doesn't know about it or understand it. That's not her fault. I don't think she was trying to deny it, she doesn't feel it because she didn't grow up that way. I can't make up any excuses for her acting though.
Lynn P
07.14.2009
12:34pm
@ bonita1106 : Well said! Jessica Alba isn't here to represent an entire community. That makes no sense. She's one working mother doing the best she can to take care of her family and make her parents proud. Regardless of whether or not you like her movies, she's successful and works hard at her craft. That's something we can all be proud of.
bonita1106
07.14.2009
12:21pm
It's totally ridiculous to expect one person to represent an hugely diverse and vibrant community like us Latinas. In Jessica's specific case, I think that she just strives to be herself, an AMERICAN Latina. Just because she doesn't speak Spanish doesn't make her any less Latina! Those of us who are bilingual should count our lucky stars. I think that the interview Jessica gave in Latina last year was very brave of her. After getting slammed by so many people who put words in her mouth, it was awesome to see her stand up for herself and speak about how important her family is to her. Over the last year, she has proven that to be true time and again with her actions. We should always applaud and support our fellow successful Latinas instead of trying to tear them down or hold them to hypocritical standards!
riaria25
07.14.2009
11:54am
I liked her once she addressed the rumors about denying her being Hispanic. Let's face it is easier to get roles if you go with the flow. Not speaking Spanish doesn't make you less Mexican or Puerto Rican. The roles she has played are all humerous. She is convincing, it isn't as if we are expecting her to win a Pulitzer Prize or anything. Lighten up , she is just an actor.
Dolce
07.14.2009
11:11am
i don't mind her at all. in fact, i think she is quite beautiful. i wish her well in hollywood, even though the industry is not looking good for anyone, even the highest paid actresses of the world.
MargaritaM
07.14.2009
10:16am
I like her. I don't think that the fact that she doesn't speak Spanish makes her any less Latina. She's been a good role model recently in the way that she seems to be very involved in her daughter's life.
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