IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH IDENTIDADES 6 ENGLISH | Page 79

One slogan suggests the imposition of a
“tax on single men,” so that women who
want to enlarge their bust can with the
campaign money collected. It is a
different way of looking at the problem
of the new application of the
controversial Earnings Tax. Another
proposes that compatriot Pope Francisco
be the president of FIFA (after the
corruption scandal). The candidate
salutes us by forming a “W” with his
three fingers (for “Winner,” he asserts),
as a parody of the Peronist “V” salute.
Adding even more humor and a touch of
originality, Obaca is searching for his
Vice President through the social media;
he needs him or her by Octoer 2015. He
asks who might be his VP on his web
platform (FWTV), and holds a sort of
contest asking that people send him
proposals. The winner will be whoever
offers the most original proposal; he or
she will be on the electoral ballot with
him. What’s interesting about the case of
Obaca is that his creators decided to
create a black character. One reading
could be the discovery and appreciation

our or black past. Interest in African
origins is only a recent phenomenon; it
has grown quite a bit in academic and
other circles for about 20 years, although
there is still much to be done. In dealing
with a country whose elite denied a
black presence from the get go, perhaps
Obaca is a nod meant to further convince
the public of the idea that a black past is
important now, even if they don’t want
to see that. In principle, the idea of a
black president should be see as a good
antidote for racism. Just the reality of
that possibility should destroy common
notions and stereotypes that see blacks
associated with the worst, a people
submerged in marginalization and
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