One Bizarre Poll
So, if Hispanics formed a political party, what do you think it should be called?
Ok, so I a have a Google Alert set up for Colombian politics* and I note a story at Fox News Latino (of which I was unaware**) about the new attorney general (Colombia elects woman attorney general) and I saw the following poll on the side of the story:
Now, yes, I know that it is an internet poll that maybe someone at the level of an intern cooked up, but really? (and surely there is some sort of quality control at the site, yes?). It is like a poll asking :If Jewish Americans form their own party, what should it be called? A) The Yarmulke Party, B) the Potato Latke Party, C) The Hava Nagila Party, etc.
Let’s see: Tequila is an alcoholic beverage of Mexican origin and frequently associated with frat parties, cafe is either the color brown in Spanish or place to enjoy some coffee, and salsa is a fantastic food to be enjoyed with tortilla chips or a type of dance. Given that this isn’t the Onion, but rather a serious news site, one presumes that this wasn’t supposed to be a joke (and if it was at the Onion it would be funnier). Did the poll creator/site editor actually think that these are real potential party names? Quite frankly, I cannot come up with an especially flattering interpretation for this poll.
Here’s the poll in context from a screenshot:
*For those who don’t know, one of the things I study is Colombian politics.
**A quick Googling indicates that it was launched this fall (see this Reuters piece).
“So, if Hispanics formed a political party, what do you think it should be called?”
Reconquista?
That poll, if indeed serious, is patently offensive, and I’m not easily offended.
Its Fox News. Its meant to be entertainment. Even so, its lame, but what do you expect?
I came across a story yesterday about someone promoting seriously the idea of a “Tequila Party” as a Hispanic-themed counterpart to the Tea Party. I’m unclear whether it was ideologically similar to the Tea Party and just reaching out to Hispanics, or a Hispanic interest group capitalizing on the Tea Party’s success. Either way, I suspect that’s what inspired the poll.
I think they were trying (and failing) to say something referential to the Tea Party.
Of course, the fail is that their little joke would mean the Tea Party is a party for those of British (or maybe Chinese) origin.
I can think of several names that would be funny to some, and probably very offensive to others.
“I think they were trying (and failing) to say something referential to the Tea Party.”
Are they saying that, like this proposed Hispanic party, the Tea Party is race-exclusive?
Aside from the points you’ve made, I’m rather amused that all the choices are in English. Presumably, a Hispanic identity party would have a Spanish name, no?
@James: good point.
I suppose that “cafe” qualifies.
@Most everyone else: the Tea Party tie-in had not occurred to me, but that makes sense (as far as it goes, especially given that the Tea Party isn’t a party).
What? Is ‘La Raza’ already taken? Damn…
LaRaza?
Oh, wait. That’s been done.