thinkmexican:

Disney ‘Día de los Muertos’ Trademark Underscores Need to Reject Corporate Pandering

Upoar over trademark is justified, but Mexicans enabling cultural appropriation is the real problem

The Indigenous Peoples of Mexico have observed what is today known as Día de los Muertos since time immemorial.

The Spanish and the Catholic Church attempted to destroy this ceremony, and when they couldn’t, it was incorporated into the Catholic religious calendar. Centuries later, Mexicans are dealing with another colonizer, expect this one is from Burbank and is called Disney.

In April of 2012, reports surfaced that “Toy Story 3” director Lee Unkrich was planning to produce an animated feature based on Día de los Muertos. The LA Times called it a “nod to Mexican audiences,” and many of us seemed to agree.

Fast forward to May 1, 2013 — just a few days ago — and Disney attorney Kevin Daley, is filing 10 trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the term ‘Día de los Muertos’ for use in promotional products ranging from backpacks to cookies.

For many, this is where the problem started. But, in essence, Disney is simply doing what multinational corporations do: protect and commoditize. Are we so to naive to believe Disney would make this movie and not attempt to trademark ‘Día de los Muertos’ out of respect for our culture?

For those expressing disaproval and outrage throughout the blogosphere today: where were the petitions and angry tweets in April 2012 when Disney announced a Pixarized version of this sacred ancestral tradition?

Of course we should make our voice heard, but at this point, we need to demand Disney not make “The Untitled Pixar Movie About Día de los Muertos.”

And the end of the day, there’s no such thing as a gentle violation of our culture. Corporations will forever be eager to profit off our culture if we let them, so let’s use this latest episode as an opportunity to examine our role in our exploitation and to take a look at how we’re helping to preserve our cultural heritage for future generations.

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Big Bang de Latin Hetalia

lh-announcement:

¡Oficialmente comenzamos con este nuevo evento! Esperamos que sea de su agrado y estamos a su entera disposición antes todas las dudas que pueden llegar a surgirles.

[Illustration: Iztactli]

Question

Ah! Guys, I really like you, I swear it. Well, my question is for Itzel: is it true you had a relationship with Guatemala? If that’s so, how was it?

Answer

Itzel: Aw, Anon, you’re so sweet! Ok, let’s see what is the question? *reads* Err… I don’t like to talk about my private life… Hahaha. I have to go… somewhere else…

[Illustration: Lullabytown]

Question

Hi, good night! I’m curious about it, what do you think about colombian mariachi? And congratulations because yours have been recognized as heritage! 

Answer

Pedro: Coco was amazing with those mariachi! I was really surprised the first time I heard them play.

Itzel: Truth be told, I was really surprised when Coco told me that a mexican who lived in her house wanted to do a mariachi movement. But the result was amazing! I, personally, am really excited when I know about mariachi of other nationalities.

[OOC: Impulsa mexicano ‘movimiento mariachi’ en Colombia]

200+ followers! 

Thank you so much, guys! I know I talk by Lullabytown and Iztactli when I thank you for your kindness and interest in this askblog. We are really glad of being able to show you a little bit of our beloved country using this pair of characters we love with all our heart.

We’ll keep on answering your questions and we’ll open our askbox again as soon as possible. 

¡Muchas gracias por los 200+ follows! Sé que hablo por Lullabytown y por Iztactli cuando les agradezco su amabilidad e interés en este askblog. Estamos muy contentas de ser capaces de compartir un poco de nuestro bonito país usando a este par de personajes que queremos con toda el alma.

Seguiremos respondiendo a sus preguntas y activaremos la opción de preguntas a la brevedad posible. De verdad, es muy lindo saber que hay tantas personas interesándose por lo que hacemos y por los personajes.

[Illustration: Lullabytown]

Question

What do you think of being Alfred’s favorites?

Answer

Itzel: We are… what?

[Illustration: Iztactli]

Questions

1) How’s everything with Chile? (the country, not the chili).

2) Hi my dear mexican siblings, I’d like to know what is your opinion of Chile. I’m not talking about the “chile” (chili) you eat and love to use in your gastronomy, but to that country which speaks in a weird way, has cold feet, and never refuses a drink if someone invites him.

3) Mexican siblings, how’s your relationship with Chile?

4) Awww you two are so cute <3 -gives you chocolate [thank you!]- ok, ok, my question is: how’s everything with Chile? :’DD and that’s it… o3o

Answer

Pedro: With Manolo (Chile)? Very good! We go out from time to time to drink some beers…

Itzel: They always get drunk, you can’t imagine. Really.

Pedro: Hey, it’s not like that.

Itzel: Of course.

[Ilustración: Lullabytown]

Question

I’ve always liked northern accent! *-* Well, the question. What do you think about what people say of Mexico being the most machoist? Chile is almost like you D: I love you! And your food is the best!! I love burritos!! *¬*

Answer

Itzel: Well, yeah, there is a lot of machoism here. Maybe not that much now, but it still exist. I don’t know if here are more machos than in other countries, though. Being honest, and talking about my personal experience, I can say that many things have changed. My brother is still a macho, that’s something he may not change that easy, but we are working on it. There are certain things that don’t depend on us.

Pedro: Very macho! / That’s mine! / I’m the man of the house!

Itzel: About Manuel (Chile), I better not say a thing. He’s always been kind with me. And of course, our food is the best in the world… (I don’t think burritos can enter in that category, though).

[Art: Lullabytown]

Question

LULZ! I love you, Pedrito! <3 I live there in your chest… I think e.e Actually I don’t know which part of your body is Monterrey (?) :B Could you tell me where is it? :3 *love love~*

Answer

Pedro: Thank you, ‘mija! Monterrey, right? Hmm… *pointing near his heart* Well, yeah, Monterrey is here… kind of.

[OOC: Monterrey es la ciudad capital del estado de Nuevo León, que se encuentra en el Norte; es la tercer área metropolitana más grande de México, considerada la novena ciudad más grande del país. Monterrey funge como el principal centro comercial del norte y también es el asentamiento de muchas corporaciones internacionales de importancia. Es la segunda ciudad con mejor economía del país]

[OOC: Monterrey is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the base of many significant international corporations. It is Mexico’s second richest city]

Guys… The hiatus is over!

Seguiremos respondiendo preguntas que tenemos guardadas y abriremos el ask una vez más a la brevedad posible. ¡Gracias a todos!

Atte: Lullabytown, Iztactli y Cydalima.