I want to dedicate this post to Wendi, the author of a blog that asks an interesting question: Does Race Matter? (I think it does, and I think it doesn't, but that's to be discussed in another opportunity).

The matter today is that I recently got in touch with Wendi and her personal blog, and I think she's awesome. So, when I decided to write this post today, I felt like dedicating it to Wendi.

Wendy, I hope you like it. Let me say that I hate you (well, just a little) for making me find your blog. I've spent lots of time reading your articles, when I should have been working. If I get fired this week, it will be your fault! (well, just a little - LOL) :)

The video features Uruguayan folk group "Los Olimareños" singing "Angelitos Negros" (Black little angels). The video and sound quality are not very good, but the lyrics are amazingly beautiful. The most important part of the lyrics goes translated near the end of the video.

I've translated the entire lyrics. If you want to see the complete original lyrics (in Spanish) you can find them here: Angelitos Negros - Los Olimareños.

Black Little Angels - Los Olimareños

Recited:
Ah World, the black Juana, what a bad thing happened to her,
Her negrito* died - Yes, Sir.

Song
Ay, compadrito** of my soul - ay, of my soul
So healthy was the black*...
How much she suffered.. She measured him with her body
He was getting thinner, as thin as her.

Her negrito died - ay, her negrito
It must have been God's will
He must have already placed him as a little angel in Heaven

Recited:
Don't foul yourself, compadre**... There are no black little angels!

Painter of alcove saints - ay, of alcove
If you have blood in your chest,
Why when painting your paints
You don't remember the blacks?
Then where do the morenitos from my hometown go?

Painter born in my land - hey, in my land
With the foreigner brush
Painter that follows the course of so many old painters...
Although the Virgin is white,
Paint for me little black angels.

There is no painter who painted - ay, that painted
Little angels from my town
I want white little angels with brown little angels
Angel of good family is not enough for my Heaven.

If there's left a painter of saints - hey, of saints
If there's left a Heaven painter
May he paint my land's Heaven with the tones of my hometown
With its angels of fine pearl, with its angel of mediopelo***.

With its brown angels - ay, browns
With its white little angels
With its Indian little angels, with its black little angels
Make them eating mangoes by the Heaven's neighborhoods.

If you know how to paint your land - hey, your land
If you must paint your Heaven
As the sun that toasts whites, as the sun that makes blacks sweat
Even though the Virgin is white, paint for me black little angels.
____________________________________________________

* In Spanish, specially in Latin America, the word "negro" is used to designate Black people, but it's also used as a friendly or loving voice, regardless of the person's skin color. For example, you can call your son or your boyfriend "negrito" or "mi negro", even if he's a blue eyed blond.

** Compadre and Compadrito are Spanish words that designate the relationship between the father and godfather of a child. (Read more about Compadre) It's also used to designate a close, respected friend.

*** Mediopelo in this case means poor, underprivileged people - in opposition to rich, wealthy people (fine pearl angels).

I think this is one of the most beautiful expressions against racism I've ever seen in my life. The lyrics are so simple and unpretentious, and yet so powerful, spiritual and clear... I love it, I really love it. What do you think?