Ricky Martin takes up the Arab cause???

[Obamarama]

From the "things that make you go hmmmmmmm" category, Ricky Martin has apparently decided to take up the fight against stereotyping of Arabs. Wasn't he going to retire from the entertainment world?

I mean, hey, it's a noble cause and all, but how long does he think it's going to take people to figure out he needs the money and is likely only doing this for financial gain?

Not to mention the irony involved in a closeted gay man taking up the cause of battling stereotypes in countries in which he could probably be killed for being gay.

From the Detroit Free Press:

He bangs.

No, not William Hung. The originator of the tune, Ricky Martin declared he will try to change negative perceptions of Arab youth in the West.

"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 Monday in Amman, Jordan.


http://www.freep.com/entertainment/namesandfaces/names26e_20050726.htm

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Sorry, cant image that RM "needs money". Maybe when Jacko goes Muslim....

[alarcojon]

2. This doesn't make me go hmmmm

I find it admirable. His explanation:

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.

I wish more people would reach out across ethnic, racial, regional, gender, sexual preference, religious, physical ability, and all other lines like this.

As a Latino, I see that awareness of your own oppression can give you, if you listen, a clearer window on the oppression of others.

By the way, I don't particularly like RM's music, but I still commend these statements on his part and will not question his motives.

[U4ikLefty]

3. Ricky Martin music...now THAT'S terrorism.

n/t

[pinto]

4. Then again, he may be completely sincere. n/t

[Obamarama]

7. He may very well be sincere, but.....

Who in the "West" is going to hear his message? He's supposedly given up performing as a career. How's he going to deliver his message? Without his performance career, he's nothing more than a cute, stupid himbo. Who's going to actually listen to what he has to say?

[pinto]

8. I don't know... I can't fault the guy for giving it a shot.

[Gabi Hayes]

5. 'Wasn't he going to retire from the entertainment world? '

well, if he wasn't, he will be soon

[rainman99]

6. Y'all leave Ricky alone! He's a sweetheart!

[ohio_liberal]

9. "Wasn't he going to retire from the entertainment world?"

I guess not. He has an album coming out in September.

http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/rickymartin/

[pocket]

10. I thought he was a Bushie

maybe Bush left him with a bad taste in his mouth...

[Bucky]

11. booo!

Bad DUer. No cookie

[Gabi Hayes]

12. surely you've seen this?

[pocket]

13. I have seen that little red X, and I've also seen Ricki & *

hanging out together