Ebelin Ortiz: “They never forgave me for messing with Magaly Medina” | INTERVIEW

Ebelin Ortiz is a Peruvian actress, television presenter and singer. Her recent artistic proposal is called “Victory through me”. (Photo: Instagram)

Ebelin Ortiz is aware that her artistic life is largely due to the legacy of those who preceded her. Among them, the remembered composer and choreographer Victoria Santa Cruz. Thus, her most recent tribute seeks to unite the legacy of the author of “Me Griron Negra” with Ortiz’s life experiences. In conversation with Infobae, the Afro-Peruvian actress spoke of Victoria, racism and her time on national television.

Why is Victoria Santa Cruz not only important for Afro-Peruvian culture but for Peruvian culture in general?

Although Victoria speaks of racism towards Afro, there came a time in her personal search that focused on the individual. She talks about how we refer to the enemy as other when it happens to be ourselves. She talks about that duality that we human beings have, she stops having a discourse merely against racism and she talks about the human being, about how we ourselves can play tricks on ourselves.

Having all grown up in such a racist society, there is no way not to recognize that we carry it.

As Victoria says: “The enemy is at home. We ourselves generate racism, discrimination, sexism and homophobia. We can see it from afar and even seem aberrant to us; however, at some point in our lives we have practiced it consciously or unconsciously.

Did Victoria come to recognize herself as a racist?

Sure, and that’s worth a lot more. It is about a person who has suffered racism, who recognizes himself as racist and who, in addition, talks about it. And he does it because he is healing what affects him.

Do you remember any episode of your life in which you recognized yourself as a racist?

Yes, it was an episode I had with actor Pol Gastelo. I saw him in a play in which he got into a super scene and I immediately said: “What a good scene this cholo got into!” When I said it I thought about why he had said it, as if being a cholo detracted from his work. There I understood that he had to work so that what affects me does not have to affect another.

What actions of Victoria Santa Cruz should we replicate in a Peru that continues to be racist?

She has a lot of work on racism and discrimination, but I think we should have listened to her more. Keep in mind that she was also a victim of sexism. That impetus of wanting to redirect the route of the Peruvians was not taken into account as it deserved.

It happened and happens a lot with women committed to social causes. In your case, you receive the avalanche of criticism through social networks.

For those who criticize me there, the demerit is my race. It is not my action as an individual, but my hair, how I look detracts from me. There one understands that we are screwed.

Did the same thing happen in the artistic field?

At the end of the 90s, Afro-Peruvian actors could not even think of having leading roles, only minor characters. We were the employee, the thief, the prostitute or the saleswoman. I had to eat the toad because it was the only way to start acting. Today actresses like Anahí Padilla or Mayra Najar can afford to choose which character they want to play. It is, to a large extent, a generational work.

Anahí Padilla and Mayra Najar, Afro-Peruvian actresses.

What did Victoria Santa Cruz have to do for your generation to enjoy luxuries that she did not?

The poem “They yelled at me black.” It turned out to be a super tool for the generations that came after and it still is.

During your time on television, how have you dealt with the stereotypes still present on the small screen?

I haven’t done TV for a long time and I think I know why. At some point I’ve messed with very beloved television characters. They never forgave me for messing with Magaly Medina after doing a series where she played Magnolia Merino. I had a problem with Ricky Tosso and they didn’t forgive me for that either. That begins to close doors on television. What makes me happy is that more Afro girls are beginning to have an importance in film and television.

Evelyn Ortiz como Magnolia Merino

Was making Magnolia Merino a mistake?

No, nothing I’ve done has been a mistake. If I didn’t do it, another actress would do it. What was done was done. I don’t need television.

Finally, to end with Victoria. What would Ebelin Ortiz do if someone yelled at her black on the street?

And? Black yes, black I am. Now I know who I am and no one can insult me.

MORE INFORMATION

With the support of UPC Cultural, “Victoria through me” will take place on Thursdays, May 19 and 26, starting at 8 pm at the Peña La Oficina, located at 441 Enrique Barrón Street, Barranco district.

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