Following the controversial LATV interview between David Ty
Reza and Humberto Guida, events online transpired. And cast member and
executive producer Enrique Sapene was given an opportunity to speak on VH1 with
– of all people – Erica Mena, who really has no right to talk about the issues
surrounding FBSF given her tendency to be a colorist her damn self.
Erica: So we’re here to talk about some of the issues that
came up on Flaming Bros San Fernando – about colorism, isolation, racism,
bullying, xenophobia – pretty much everything that I didn’t expect to talk
about.
Enrique: Oh, me neither.
Erica: Thanks for joining, first of all.
Enrique: Of course.
Erica: There’s been so much conversation online from the
fans and the media about the show – a BIG conversation about Rafa, in
particular.
Enrique: *sigh* To say “a big conversation” is an
understatement.
Erica: We don’t know where Rafa is these days. Nobody’s
heard from him. But many fans say that Rafa felt isolated and mistreated
because he’s the youngest, he’s Brazilian, his first language is Portuguese, and
he’s slightly tanner than most of you guys. And now another cast member David
is saying that Rafa should go to Compton to learn how to be a man. It’s
sparking a bigger conversation about every colorism and hate within the Latino
community, whether someone who grew up in a farm or the ‘hood is treated differently
then someone with connections or privilege. It’s something that we don’t talk
about as a community.
Enrique: Definitely. I’m actually glad that it has come up
because it’s obviously a painful subject. And I recognize it happening everyday
in our community. Tan, dark-skinned, and underprivileged people absolutely get
it way harder in society in general, including entertainment and reality TV. I…
really hate that Rafa feels that he had to basically disappear, because now there’s
no closure at all. We work so hard to make sure that even on a San Fernando-based
show, every Latino is treated equally. I get what our fans are saying, and I
didn’t ever want him to feel isolated in any way. Like… I really thought that
Rafa would finally warm up to all of us. First season, I thought, “How exciting
that he’s Brazilian, and he can bring his culture to the show.” So I don’t get
it.
Erica: There seems to be something that causes Rafa to not
really click with anyone minus Alastair. Do you think you have an idea of why
that is?
Enrique: I really think it’s a personality thing. Rafa’s passive
personality has always rubbed people the wrong way. I get it, you’re new to the
group. But nobody else speaks Portuguese. Everybody speaks English and Spanish.
You gotta at least get to know people and maybe stop being so defensive over
every little thing someone says to you.
Erica: And this show has had many clashing personalities and
short tempers. A lot of people who can snap. Do you see why some folks might
say, “Well, *he’s* getting treated differently than the rest”?
Enrique: Absolutely. 100%. To a viewer, I could see how
someone would say, “Well you scolded Rafa for being violent and aggressive, but
you didn’t do that to Jason, Cory, or David.” But it really hasn’t been
anything close to what Cory and I experienced with Rafa in Santa Clarita. The
difference is that Jason, Aiden, Alex Paredes, and I have a closer relationship
that goes back many years prior. And I’ve known David since 2001. We all know
each other very well. I would’ve hoped that Rafa would just accept that about
us, take the L, and move on. But that’s not how he operates, apparently. I just
don’t have a relationship with Rafa, and I probably never will. That’s why I
think it’s a chemistry issue; never about color, class, or anything like that.
So… I hate that he feels that way; it really sucks.
Erica: And do you have any last words for Rafa?
Enrique: Um… no. And even if I did, he wouldn’t wanna hear it
from me. That’s for sure.
And that was the interview. Clearly, Enrique is refusing to
take responsibility for the pain, humiliation, and controversy Rafa has received.
For all the times Enrique convincingly sounds self-aware, I’m inclined to believe
that he was just acting (he *is* an actor, after all), because almost
immediately, he insists that Rafa is the reason why the show – as it stands –
is not working.
Partial accountability, basically.
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