Chongalicious is a Cuban-American parody video of Fergielicious, which in turn is an unintentional parody of more than a few hip-hop videos. It follows a trail blazed by the novelty hit Valley Girl but is not as intelligent as Moon Unit Zappa´s satirical paean to the Galleria. Miami Ad Guy explains the etymology of Chongas and Chongalicious. Suffice it to say that Chonga is Cuban American slang for low class. (Turn here for a formal and offensive definition. Cross-reference to chola for contrast.) According to the song, a Chonga is the kind of woman who gets her bling (pronounced "bleen") at the "flea market for $2.99".
The video is a put-down of the working-class Lateenas found in South Florida's working-class city, Hialeah, which is often the first stopping-off point for recent Cuban immigrants. The video has proved highly amusing to the locals and has resulted in radio show appearances and coverage on local newscasts.
The Chongalicious creators are smart and somewhat funny but severely limited by their shtick. They have inspired a slew of other YouTube videos such as Ask a Chonga: Asisleysis Edition, which is not as clever as Chongalicious (and nowhere near as clever as the witty Ask a Mexican) but it more nakedly reveals the accent-based nature of the entire discussion. In Miami, some accents and some forms of Spanglish are deemed more upper class than others. Frankly, the video seems destined to be the subject of prolonged discussions in Latino Studies classes.
The spectacle of these young women disrespecting other young Latinas is not pleasant. However, I confess to a couple of chuckles when first watching the video and I did spend entirely too much time watching the raw video of their appearance on a local radio show. No doubt these women will soon begin appearing in a local or even national ad campaign for some brand or other.
Miami Ad Guy points out a more offensive video, which appears to be an actual spot paid for the Texas state government. This ad is a put-down of Mexican-American chongas more popularly known as nacas, which is a despective term. And I was shocked to actually hear the word used in the commercial. The commercial features two young Latinas in a car engaging in a stereotypical and virulent denigration of an unnamed and unseen naca who listens to banda (heaven forbid if anyone should thrill to the sound of a tambora and tuba) and "doesn't even know how to dance salsa".
It is one thing if two young Latinas choose to denigrate other young Latinas in an attempt for viral video fame. Misguided, yes. Not nice, either. But better we make fun of ourselves than engage in inter-ethnic nonsense and vitriol. However, it is an altogether different affair when the offensive video is paid for with taxpayer money as in the case of the Texas. If I were a Texan taxpayer, I´d be hopping mad.
And the truth is that Chongalicious and the Texas ad are nowhere near as awful as all too many hip hop videos including that denigrating one where the "artist" slides a credit card between a woman's butt cheeks (you know the one I am talking about and no, I won't link to it).
You seem like you know what you are talking about. However your report is less than perfect so I shall clarify somethings. You many never read this but hopefully some of your viewers will. A chonga does not reffer to a Cuban girl in fact it doesnt reffer to anyone in specific. The truth is, that you will find chongas of all races and colors. The phenomenon that is the "chonga" is all about a particular type of style and attitude. Its been my experience that people will always find what they are looking for. If you are looking to find offensive race issues, so be it. But if you are looking to see Chongalicious in its original intent which is to laugh.
Posted by: Mimi | June 22, 2007 at 06:08 PM