By james art
Jennifer Lopez took the microphone at a campaign rally for Kamala Harris in Las Vegas yesterday, encouraging Americans to stand up to Donald Trump. After admitting she’s been on the Las Vegas stage many times, Lopez confirmed that the rally podium was “the most important stage I’ve ever been on.”
During his 13-minute speech, Lopez reflected on remarks made about Puerto Rico by Tony Hinchcliffe during a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, where the comedian called his home a “floating island of trash.”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t get emotional, but you know what, we have to be emotional,” Lopez said. “We should be upset. We should be scared and outraged. Our pain matters. We matter.”
The singer and actress called Trump “the biggest adversary I think America has ever had internally” and said he “has consistently worked to divide us.” “At Madison Square Garden, he reminded us who he really is and how he really feels,” she said. “It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day. It was every Latino in this country. It was humanity and anyone of decent character.
Lopez also compared her own story to Harris’. “When I started doing TV and film, I could get roles as a maid or a loud Latina, but I knew I had more to offer,” she said. “And I think there’s a lot of people in this country who feel the same way, who know they’re capable of more, and we all just want a chance to prove it.” And elections are about electing leaders who support that, not leaders who get in the way.”
Toward the end of the speech, Lopez acknowledged her Puerto Rican heritage, but said it was only one aspect of her identity. “I’m Puerto Rican and yes, I was born here and we’re Americans,” she told the crowd. “I am a mother. I am a sister. I am an actor and artist. I like Hollywood endings too. I like it when the good guy, or in this case, the good girl, wins.”
She continued, “And with an understanding of our past and faith in our future, I will proudly vote for Kamala Harris for President of the United States. You can’t even spell American without “Rican.” This is our country too and we must exercise our right to vote on November 5th. Please.”
After Hinchcliffe’s racist speech at MSG, many musicians and celebrities with ties to Puerto Rico spoke out against him and Trump. Earlier this week, Aubrey Plaza used her platform at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards to say, “Fortunately, my sweet abuelita he wasn’t here to hear that disgusting remark. But if she were alive today, I think she’d say, ‘Tony Hinchcliffe, go to hell.’
On Tuesday, Bad Bunny shared a video on his Instagram page that celebrates the history and beauty of his home island of Puerto Rico. The video highlights Puerto Rican icons from every aspect of culture, from politicians to astronauts to baseball legends to beauty pageant winners. “We are kings, queens and champions,” says a voice-over in the video. “We are legends.”