The Conversation (0)
Joanna Taylor
Sep 16, 2020
Joe Biden played 'Despacito' on his phone at the start of a speech for Hispanic Heritage Month.
It's every bit as awkward as it sounds.
It turns out there is some context for this: 'Despacito' artist Luis Fonsi was the person to introduce Biden at the event in Orlando, Florida.
👇👇👇👇👇 @LuisFonsi https://t.co/XtFnWFlnib— Chris D. Jackson (@Chris D. Jackson) 1600225402
But even so, we have questions. Why did he play it from his phone? Who told him it would be a good idea?
It probably would have been better to play it through speakers, at the very least.
Keep in mind, this wasn't spontaneous. Biden's campaign *planned* for him to walk out and play the song.— Jacek Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@Jacek Posobiec 🇺🇸) 1600223306
"Joe Biden steps out and starts playing Despacito from his phone" sounds like a tweet you pull out of your ass at 3… https://t.co/mEo9K8zPFC— Justin Whang 🐙 (@Justin Whang 🐙) 1600220668
Some people criticised the stunt, calling it "tone deaf".
Biden was accused of "pandering" in an attempt to secure Hispanic votes.
Joe Biden walking out on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month playing Despacito is one of the most tone-deaf th… https://t.co/6mULEUDlsY— VAX REBEL REMIX OUT NOW (@VAX REBEL REMIX OUT NOW) 1600222374
Didn’t think it was possible but Joe Biden playing Despacito at a Latino event manages to even out-cringe Hillary with her hot sauce— Kyle Kashuv (@Kyle Kashuv) 1600229371
@dcexaminer @JoeBiden This is offensive. Latinos have disproportionately been impacted by decades of neoliberal po… https://t.co/knORFdyQDn— Steve | No Justice No Peace (@Steve | No Justice No Peace) 1600229839
But other people defended Biden.
People were divided as to whether the context of him playing the song justified it or not.
Just fyi, Biden didn't just walk on stage and played Despacito out of the blue. He was introduced by Luis Fonsi w… https://t.co/cruDyo0x9n— Covie (@Covie) 1600225100
@JoeBiden @ricky_martin @EvaLongoria .@LuisFonsi, a fellow Puerto Rican, notes his song "Despacito" broke barriers… https://t.co/36QZmP8tPk— Marianna Sotomayor (@Marianna Sotomayor) 1600214906
But one thing's for sure: Trump and his supporters immediately tried to capitalise on the controversy to show Biden in a negative light.
Opinions vary as to whether playing 'Despacito' was actually "offensive" or just a little bit "cringe".
But it feels like the person who described Mexican people are "drug dealers, criminals and rapists" shouldn't really be weighing in on this one.
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