15 minutes of fame, Mexican style

Andy Warhol claimed several times: "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." Unfortunately, Soledad García knows exactly what Warhol meant. It’s not only bad being a disposable celebrity, but to make matters worse, she’s the flavor of the month: the Latina activist.  García is the star of the new reality TV show series: “Vigilantes.”

Last month, Soledad went to an audition, well, more like an interview, to do a presentation on the history of activism in Latin America. Being a scholar in this field, she thought she had the expertise and knowledge to beat the other candidates. She thought right, but not for the right reasons. She was afraid her history was turning her into the “it girl”, the “one-hit-wonder”, “a fad”, the “cult of celebrity in pop culture”, a “sex symbol” or even worse a “superstar.” Soledad wanted to promote her ideologies through the media, using the show as a medium to catapult her into a well- known and rounded public figure, just like her ancestors.

Soledad García is a direct descendent of *Hermila García, a Mexican feminist and a writer who during the Mexican Revolution, was part of a liberal group that was created to lobby against Jaime Díaz. This notorious manwas a Mexican politician who would later become the President of Mexico. He knew very well how to manipulate people to his advantage. A phrase used to describe the order of his rule was "Pan, o palo,” meaning that one could either accept what was given willingly which was not limited to a position of political power, or face harsh consequences, including death. In the history of this fascist movement Jaime was quoted saying: "¡Pobre México! ¡Tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de los Estados Unidos!  His 15 minutes of fame in the pop culture came a little too late. Much to no one’s surprise, Jaime Díaz is one of the main characters of the Mexican soap opera El Ave Phoenix.”

Soledad enters the room filled with other counterparts, women from all backgrounds and ideologies, but one thing in common: work of activism. She dusts off an early edition of her great grandmother’s magazine titled: La Mujer Moderna. She reads how the Catholic Church has controlled the women’s bodies for centuries and how sexuality should be perceived. She also read articles of inequality and injustice against Latina women. Everyone listens to her passionate opinions over these articles. They take copious notes while some others are simply staring at her. She lectures the casting director, a couple of agents, the producer and the network’s executive director.

After an intense yet brief deposition, Soledad is asked to smile at the camera. “Pose for the camera, nena,” says the photographer. “I need more attitudes,” he replies. “I’m not a model, nor a fashionista,” says Soledad. “ I thought you were an activist for the history of your country. I thought you really wanted this. Won’t you even try to be sexy for you to get the job?” the photographer replies defiantly. “I want this, my way. I don’t want to be part of your history; I want to be part of mine” Soledad makes very clear. As she replies, the photographer snaps pictures, one right after the other, capturing her anger and passion. “That’s what I wanted!” he replies. He examines frame by frame and chooses one. “This will make the cover of Vogue, you’ll see.” He tells Soledad. “Why?” she asks disgusted. “Because it shows you’re an angry bitch, like most feminists. We need to promote this show with the best women. Now take off your clothes and let me take your measurements.” Demands the photographer. “Why do you need to measure me for? I mean, I thought this was going to be a reality TV show to portray me as me; to promote the history of my people as it is.” Soledad says frustrated. “Linda, history is what happened 15 minutes ago. You’re not promoting anything but Manolo shoes and Narcisso Rodriguez gowns. Now, that’s art and history, the fashion you’ll be wearing. So eat it up and raise your arms. You’re not here to promote the history of your country; you’re here to be part of the American history.” Says the photographer. He takes a measuring tape and gets her bust line size. Then he moves to her waist and her hips. “If you’re presenting art, you need to lose like 20 pounds, just letting you know. Other than that, you’re gorgeous and smart. You’ll be an instant hit.”

Soledad leaves the audition room. She wants the show, but she hates the philosophy. “History is what happened 15 minutes ago”, a quote that circles in her head over and over again. “Have people forgotten about my great grandma? Have people forgotten about Porfirio Díaz? I guess that’s why history is bound to be repeated.” She says to herself. “In that case, I’ll do the show, just to remind my people about what our ancestors went through.”

After a month of the show’s cancellation due to poor ratings, Soledad García was named worst dressed reality TV star. She was too fat to wear the artistic creations of the designer gowns. She was also named the best reality TV villain thanks to her passionate and controversial arguments regarding Latina’s history.

*The Epic of Latin America. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press