Thread: Singer Shakira: Latinos In US Will Have 'Justice'

Singer Shakira: Latinos In US Will Have 'Justice'
Pop Star's Comments Concern Proposals Targeting Illegal Immigrants
RUSSELL CONTRERAS, Associated Press

POSTED: 8:41 am CST February 26, 2011
UPDATED: 4:16 am CST February 27, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts -- Shakira was honored Saturday by Harvard University for her artistic and humanitarian work. She later said some U.S. states' proposed anti-immigrant legislation goes against her foundation's efforts to provide education to poor people around the world.


Singer Shakira Accepts Harvard Honor

The Grammy Award-winning singer, however, said Latino immigrants in the U.S. facing various anti-immigrant bills will have "justice" as public awareness about their plight grows.

"Justice will come. I'm sure," Shakira told The Associated Press after the award ceremony. "Wherever there is ... a kid, who could be the son or the daughter of a Latino immigrant, who cannot attend a school in the United States of America, that kid should be a concern to all of us and our responsibility."

Shakira, a native of Colombia, made the comments in an interview when asked about proposed measures in Arizona and elsewhere targeting illegal immigrants. A bill in Arizona, for example, would bar illegal immigrants from attending public schools, living in public housing or driving. Another bill seeks to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. if their parents are illegal immigrants.

"I believe we should never think less of the Latino community because it's a productive force in this country," Shakira told the AP.

The singer, born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, was awarded the "2011 Artist of the Year" from the Harvard Foundation, the university's center for intercultural arts and science initiatives.

Foundation director S. Allen Counter said Shakira, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, was honored for her "distinguished history of creativity," as well as for her charitable contributions.

Previous winners of the Harvard award include Sharon Stone, Will Smith, Jackie Chan and Herbie Hancock.

Shakira said she was humbled by the award and the student performances at the ceremony. "As I entered the premises today, I had to call my mom and say, 'Hey mom. Guess what? I got into Harvard'," said Shakira, who took a history class in 2008 at UCLA.

After accepting the award, she challenged Harvard students to do more to improve education in developing countries. "Not everyone can study at Harvard University," she said. "But everyone, wherever they live, whatever their background, deserves a chance to make the most of his or her potential" through education.

She said that applied to poor children in Bangladesh or immigrants in the United States. "And as a child of the developing world, it is my duty to use this voice in every way I can to promote the message about the power of education to change lives," she said.

Shakira founded the Barefoot Foundation at the age of 18 to provide education and nutrition to children in impoverished areas of Colombia. She also is a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.

Howard Buffett, 56, son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett and board member of the Barefoot Foundation, said he and Shakira have plans to work on educational projects in parts of the world ravaged by war and natural disasters.

"I think she brings credibility, particularly because of her background," Buffett said. "She's pretty focused on education."

http://www.kcci.com/r/27009902/detail.html

You and your illegal aliens can leave our country SHakira. We do not want illegal aliens here. THey do not obey our laws. Therefore, they have to be deported. Period.

"And I was going to buy her CD today!"
Glad this was posted first I saved myself $3.99!

She can go back to Colombia and take her fellow illegals back with her. The only reason she learned English was to be able to sell more records and make more than she was making doing it in Spanish. It was Gloria Estefan who told her that and helped her with English. Then Shakira made money off that big hit CD of hers. When I hear her on the radio I immediately change the channel.

How about justice for American citizens who are displaced by illegal students and illegal workers. The same ones who pay the bill for the education, health care and incareration of illegals. How about justice for the families of those murdered by illegals.

that kid should be a concern to all of us and our responsibility

She should give all her wealth to help them then and stop trying to force taxpayers to foot the bill for them. She can barely speak English and I noticed she likes to copy Beyonce and Britney alot. I don't really care for her warbling voice and Ive seen better dancers. I don't see why she doesn't concern herself with her own country. I'm sure Columbia has children who isn't receiving a proper education.

She is a biggot period. Anytime you hear them complain about making it harder for illegals to get work for example it always discriminates against Hispanics. I turn around and ask if all illegals are Hispanic and then call them biggots and racists as illegals come from all countries. I remind them we have many illegals from Haiti and other countries in the Carribean, eastern Europeans and Israelis as well but on a smaller scale than hispanics.

swatchick, FL has Epcot Center but NYC IS the crap version of it in real life.

American citizens are the ones that are going to get justice Like BTO said In their now famous song... "You ain't seen nothin yet"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7miRCLeFSJo

Originally Posted by topsecret10

American citizens are the ones that are going to get justice Like BTO said In their now famous song... "You ain't seen nothin yet"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7miRCLeFSJo

"I sure hope so TS, it seems like every time we bring this issue to a boil some 3rd world country snaps or the Dems start pitching a fit!

"I don't want to live in a 3rd world shit hole Mr. Wizard!"