Ricky Martin….. who was Livin La Vida Dopo in Amman, Jordan this weekend. (Hat tip: LittleGreenFootballs)
Ricky Martin Seeks to End Arab Stereotypes – AP
“I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of any stereotypes,” the 33-year-old singer told youngsters from 16 mainly Arab countries at a youth conference on Monday.
The children, ages 14 to 16, expressed concern about being labeled as “terrorists” by the West.
“I have been a victim of stereotypes. I come from Latin America and to some countries, we are considered `losers,’ drug traffickers, and that is not fair because that is generalizing,” said Martin, who was born in Puerto Rico.
“Those comments are made out of ignorance and we have to sometimes ignore the ignorant, but we also have to educate the ignorant. You have me here as a friend,” he said.
Martin, whose hits include “She Bangs,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” posed for photos with fans, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Arab kaffiyeh headscarf with the slogan “Jerusalem Is Ours” written in Arabic on it.
“I had no idea that the kaffiyeh scarf presented to me contained language referring to Jerusalem, and I apologize to anyone who might think I was endorsing its message,” Martin said in a statement released Monday by his New York-based publicist, Ken Sunshine.
Another “successful” trip like this might have the ex-Menudo star sparking an international incident. You know, I don’t want Hillary Clinton or Bill Frist singing pop songs and dirty dancing on stage…. so I am really tired of entertainers thinking they are diplomats and elected officials.
Note the date…. today is when Ricky Martin jumped the shark.
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com