Published: February 28, 2008 07:09 pm            

Hispanics boycott of Houston rodeo not educated idea

VIVE Tejano-Houston, a group of Hispanic musicians, politicians and organizations, called Tuesday for a boycott of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Members said rodeo organizers showed disrespect to Hispanics by hiring non-Tejano performers to play the rodeo’s Go Tejano Day.

It seems VIVE Tejano-Houston has forgotten the rodeo is about more than just entertainment.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a premier entertainment event for Houston, but more importantly, it is a premier educational fund-raiser, committing to $15 million annually. According to its web site, since 1932 the rodeo has contributed more than $220 million to scholarships, research and endowments.

Duelo and Los Horoscopos de Durango are scheduled to play Go Tejano Day on March 16. Neither play Tejano music, which is a Texas genre of music whose most well-known singer, Selena, was killed more than a decade ago. Tejano isn’t as popular as it was back then. Neither are longtime rodeo favorites Reba McEntire and George Strait, which probably is why they no longer are highlights.

Tejano bands are scheduled to play on smaller stages.

VIVE Tejano-Houston also says Hispanic students should receive more scholarships. That complaint doesn’t appear valid, either.

Show organizers said about a third of the 900-plus students who attended Texas universities on show scholarships last year were Hispanic. That is a significant percentage — especially considering only about 14 percent of rodeo attendees last year were Hispanic. Go Tejano Day brings out Hispancis, however, with 82 percent of rodeo-goers being Hispanic.

We say let Hispanics boycott the rodeo. Cancel Go Tejano Day and bring back George or Reba for a Go Classic Day.

— Jacksonville Daily Progress, Feb. 28

        

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