The Aguilar family continues to make headlines, and although this time it's not because of the controversial marriage of Ángela Aguilar and Christian Nodal, the headlines are still negative. This time, the people involved are Ángela herself, the patriarch Pepe Aguilar, and his eldest son, Emiliano Aguilar. All because of comments about undocumented immigrants.
It all happened in Los Angeles, during two family concerts at the iconic Hollywood Bowl , which also featured Leonardo Aguilar. It was a night of celebrating Mexican music, where the three artists' talents shone like never before.
While music was the focus of both Friday and Saturday nights, it was Pepe Aguilar's speech about undocumented immigrants that got the most attention, and not in a good way.
"Let's do things legally so there are no fucking excuses, so we can truly be part of this wonderful country that was built on laws and will remain strong because of that," the artist expressed.
"We are not going to please the radicals (...) They know how we are going to turn the tables on them (...) By doing our job better and better, each one of us from wherever we are. This is how we are going to show that we not only deserve a place in this country, but that we are part of this country. I wasn't going to talk to them about this, and now they are going to kick us to the curb and maybe ICE is out here to screw us," he began to laugh.
The details of his speech would have gone unnoticed if it weren't for the fact that his daughter Ángela Aguilar is being closely watched by those passionately criticizing her relationship with Nodal on social media.
Angela Aguilar's speech at the Hollywood Bowl
"I don't want to miss the opportunity to be on this stage without speaking my truth. And for me, even though artists might not say it because it's not convenient for them, I do want to represent Mexican-Americans. I do want to say that what's happening to our people isn't right. I don't agree with it. I won't stand for it.
I was born in Los Angeles, and my father said something yesterday: he was very proud to be in the United States and very proud to be a Mexican-American, a legal one. If I could say one thing I've learned in these months, it's that only the people save the people. So we have to speak out, we have to take to the streets, we have to continue demanding our rights because it's not right for families to be separated, it's not right.
And because I love this great country and I'm very proud to be here, I'm proud to say that what's happening is unconstitutional. And as my father said yesterday: this is about dignity and humanity, not borders.
So, as I say, only the people save the people. Sorry, I know I'm a singer and I'm talking a lot to you, but it was something very important for me to say and to represent my community. So, thank you for listening.
Everything would have been fine if they hadn't used the word "legal," which has offended many immigrant advocates, especially those undocumented. On social media, they've been criticized as thinking "there are two different types of immigrants" and rejecting "illegal immigrants."
Emiliano Aguilar also speaks out
Pepe Aguilar's eldest son is estranged from his father's family and rarely misses an opportunity to
A quick question for everyone: What's the difference between being a legal Mexican-American and an illegal Mexican-American? What's the difference? We're all Mexican, and long live Mexico," he said.
