The Importance of Being Cordera

A month ago or so, a lot of people including media were scandalized by an audio made public which contained some statements by a famous singer. The audio was about him, Gustavo Cordera (ex-former singer of Bersuit Vergarabat), who was talking to some students of Journalism from a private university. This "interview/class" was, according to the Headmistress Ingrid Beck, who authorized the interview, meant for the students to have an interview with a famous star in order to feel motivated with their carreer and this, "by no means", was made to be public because of a privacy deal they, Cordera, the institution and the students, had made beforehand. (Yep, that was a long sentence...)

You can listen to the interview clicking the link below, BUT FIRST!, you must be warned that the following content is extremely explicit:

Cordera's thoughts about rape. Luckily, I think that this is the shortened version.

I imagine that, if you have heard it or you just heard it here, you must be nodding or facepalming yourself in disgust, but let me ask you something: did you even care what he had to say about "rape" and everything before this came out? I don't think so. Well, I didn't. However most people were surprised over his words and feminists and other groups wanted to crucify him or wanted him to be punished..

Before I continue -and before you possibly freak out beforehand- let me tell you that I won't be defending him or what he said but only writing what I think about him, his statements and the reactions they caused.

I want to analyse some different points so here are some attractive subtitles to introduce them.

1: We (most of us) already know Cordera

2: People wanting to punish him?

3: Who cared? Who cares? Who will?


First of all, most of us have listened to Cordera's band and most of us have sung at least one of their songs without even thinking about  the real meaning behind them. Among other genres, I listen to rock music -I don't mean that this kind of issue happens only with this genre- and I sometimes go to gigs and I know some rumors about him and some of the artists named in the audio and there's a high percentage that what he says about them is probably true. In his live shows with "La Bersuit", Cordera used to invite girls -I couldn't specify their age- from the audience up to the stage and made them -not against their will- go topless or nude and sometimes he kissed them, touched them and viceversa. Although this doesn't justify what he states, this is already known by the community so it's nothing new. Nevertheless when this audio came out everyone went nuts and couldn't tollerate his statements.


Here are some words from Erica García, a female rock singer who uses to make apology of infidelity, drugs, easy sex and other cute stuff and seems to believe she has enough moral authority to share with us some thoughts against -in some parts- Cordera AND to take advantage of such a controversial issue TO ADVERTISE HER NEW WORK. Coincidence?


Secondly, Cordera's interview with the students from TEA was supposed to be PRIVATE. They signed an agreement that everything they talked was meant to be OFF THE RECORD there wasn't going to be edited -as it was- and/or published -as it was, indeed-.

Here's Headmistress from TEA talking about the agreement, denying it at the same time, and talking about "being professional" when the student that made this public wasn't and she, as the highest in hierarchy, never took responsibility but washed her hands and took profit from the scandal. Coincidence?

Our Constitution is VERY clear about this: Our moral acts are reserved to ourselves. So, why punish him? Why not only ignore him? Indifference may be the best of the solutions in cases like this.

(Here's the words and an analysis of our almighty and wise National Constitution. I recommend you to click here and give it a read)

What is more, he wasn't making an apology of rape or violating the laws, he was just criticizing the law -like it or not, correct or incorrect- and this is not illegal at all. Each one of us has he's own thoughts -and the right to talk- about lots of things and yet we're not making it public for obvious reasons. We might share it with a friend or relative -though there's no need to sign a contract... So far, hopefully.

So this level of conversation he had PRIVATELY with the teachers and students is totally comparable with the level of a simple chat of two drunk guys wasting away and talking about life in the backyard at 3 am. with nobody else around listening. I insist, I'm not saying that I agree with him or defending him, because I don't need to. I REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT ANYTHING AT ALL. I'm just worried about hipocrisy and contradiction inside our society and how stupid we might be to listen and pay attention to a person like him.

To conclude my point I have to say: If you never cared about Cordera's thoughts, why would you care now? Does it make any difference? Does he say or represent what all men think, are and/or should think? As I said, I don't. But of course that I really care if something illegal is being done in front of my eyes and I would report it to respective authorities.

PLEASE, Don't pretend this society is respecting the laws, rights and moral at its best. Not even education in general, family, schools, etc., is taking care on matters like "rape culture", "chauvinism", "patriarcal society", or else, and they -WE- should be. But when something like this happens, when an audio of an ordinary man "that is famous" comes out we go crazy.

My simple message, and to conclude with the question "Who will?", I want to say that YOU should. If you're interested on making a change in this "macho" biased society, if you hate women being treated as inferiors than men, if you're triggered by some statements from a mediocre thinker with a big mouth like Cordera, then educate people. Talk to children, adolescents and adults about respecting each other, no matter what sex they are. TAKE CARE. Because if you don't, nobody will.

I hope I have made my point clear. But if you consider that I'm being offensive, obnoxious or trespassing the thin line of legality... whatever you do... (don't tell anyone!)

Jorge Vallejos