Bless Bad Bunny!
The Latin trap and reggaeton singer from Puerto Rico recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Not only did the American singer debut the cover art for his upcoming album YHLQMDLG and set the release date for said album, but he also performed his new song “Ignorantes.” While the song speaks of bad breakups and failed relationships, it was what Bad Bunny wore to the performance that garnered the internet’s attention.
While performing the song, Bad Bunny wore a skirt and a pale pink coat. Towards the end of the performance, the singer opened his jacket to reveal that he was wearing a shirt with the text, “”Mataron a Alexa, no a un hombre con falda.” This line translates to, “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vgXqw5ARLE&feature=emb_title
This shirt references a murder from earlier this week. 29-year-old Neulisa Alexa Luciano Ruiz was hunted and killed for using the women’s bathroom at a McDonalds. After a woman complained to local police, other customers were recorded on video saying things like, “We’re gonna run him over” and “You bet I am going to go and shoot him.” After this, gunshots were heard. Alexa was later shot and killed the following morning around 3:50.
PR is beautiful and the people are great, we are also the place with more churches per square mile. That, mixed with the typical macho culture, has played a big role in a long history of abuse and violence rooted in ultra conservative beliefs.
— Tats (@Tats525) February 25, 2020
According to Remezcla, Bad Bunny’s shirt was more of a protest against Puerto Rican press for misgendering Alexa in their coverage of the murder. Thankfully though, the news of her murder has also circulated to other parts of the U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren commented on the murder by tweeting that we must “protect trans women of color.” In addition, more information about Alexa has come forward like the fact that she had escaped an abusive environment, the ironic fact that she often left messages about seeking a better life on public restroom mirrors, and the fact that she was on the mental spectrum.
Perhaps having rising figures like Bad Bunny and Elizabeth Warren will help gain more attention to the murder of Alexa and the crimes against trans women of color. We hope so, at least.
