Advocacy Among Diverse Communities

Photo via @VotoLatino

I had the opportunity to attend an event titled "Advocacy Among Diverse Communities" presented by Change.org and the Grassroots Professional Network. This was a great opportunity to hear how minority based organizations work on advocacy campaigns and how they are integrated into the bigger picture/mission.

We are #MoreThanALabel

Hispanic Heritage Month may be officially over, but that doesn't mean we can't keep celebrating accomplishments across the United States (or fighting the fight). Then again...why are we still fighting this fight?

Jorge Ramos fights back against Donald Trump

I'm a reporter. My job is to ask questions. What's "totally out of line" is to eject a reporter from a press conference for asking questions

— JORGE RAMOS (@jorgeramosnews) August 26, 2015

Sure it's been a while since I've been posting. And sure the things I post are mostly personal and have an opinion. But maybe it's about time I start writing again (I've heard that before).

A Latino mayoral candidate in Philadelphia?

Things are getting interesting in the upcoming mayoral race in Philadelphia. Of the four officially declared Democratic candidates, 50% are Latino. And when we mix race relations to high political elections, everyone is bound to add their two cents about what "they" can do for the community. But it isn't only about race right?

NCLR ALMA Awards want you to #ShowOffYourALMA

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@mayorgadc is ready for #ALMA14! #ShowOffYourALMA

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Since 1995, the NCLR ALMA Awards (American Latino Media Arts) has honored outstanding Latino artistic achievements in television, film, and music. The show is an integral part of NCLR’s mission to create greater opportunities for Hispanic families in the United States. As a national prime-time television special with a cause, the NCLR ALMA Awards demonstrates how inclusion strengthens the entertainment industry and diversity strengthens our country by promoting fair, accurate, and representative portrayals of Latinos. Past ALMA awardees have included Robert Rodriguez, Rosario Dawson, Antonio Banderas, George Lopez, and other astounding Latinos in media.

This is taking Latinos in media in a strong direction but at the same time why should we create our own awards ceremony? The United People for Latinos in Film & Theater Facebook page always produces thought provoking post on this very topic. But I digress.

JC Penny partners with Monica Gonzalez

So it's Hispanic Heritage Month and all across the United States, brands are teaming up with Latino influencers to support various causes. Some brands try harder than others, some are just starting, and others have been doing it for years.

I will say JC Penny has a strong Latino presence online and in the market place. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, JC Penny partnered with soccer commentator and Olympian, Monica Gonzalez, to host a free soccer clinic for Houston-Area girls. Girls between the ages of 8-16 with an interest in soccer gathered to learn about the Gonzo Soccer Academy, the importance of physical condition as well as her decision-making tips to help them become future leaders in their communities.

Living a healthy lifestyle is imperative within Latino communities. In 2010, 28.2 percent of Latino children between the ages of 2-19 are overweight or obese (compared with 31.7 percent of all children those ages). These programs along with Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign are important and we should all be aware and get involved with teaching our children about living healthy lifestyles.

theHispanic is back with "News You Can Use"

So I've been neglecting this blog for quite some time now. It's been about 4 months since my last post and even before that, I sporadically posted. I have no excuses. The Latino community in the United States is very important to me and I must continue sharing these stories. So...let's make this happen!

With that being said, let's start out with a weekly "news you can use" where I highlight local and national stories of interest.

• Sanchez wants language access in all city agencies (Philadelphia)
• Jessica Alba talks Latina identity, complexities of race in new generation
• Latino Partnership Leadership Institute Class 2015 (Philadelphia)
• Ken Trujillo entering race for Mayor of Philadelphia
• Latin run food trucks

So do you have a story to tell? Feel free to send me an email or tweet me! 

Rumba with Las Gallas in Philadelphia

I am a huge fan of Las Gallas. Julia Lopez, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Magda Martinez, gather to share stories, inspire dialogue and create collaborative work together around ideas of family, traditions, religion, politics, education and gender roles. I've been to several of their events and have had the pleasure to work with them through different capacities. Each bring unique works of art and perspective. They have performed locally in Philadelphia at the Barnes Foundation, Taller Puertorriqueno, the First Person Arts Festival and across the globe.

Now they have the opportunity to perform at the 14th Annual International Festival of Poetry in Havana, Cuba! But they need our help. Join Las Gallas on Saturday, March 22 for a Rumba like no other. This is a perfect chance to support art in your community.

For a small donation of $10 you'll be able to:

• Listen to dancing beats from DJ Rahsaan 
• Taste delicious Colombian food from La Costeña Catering 
• Get your hands on new GALLAS t-shirts for men and women

The ongoing Hispanic versus Latino story

The truth is, we do care. According to a new Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults, half (50%) say they have no preference for identifying with either Hispanic or Latino. But among those who do have a preference, “Hispanic” is preferred over “Latino” by a ratio of about 2-1. Texas however has something else to say about the topic. According to the survey, among Hispanic Texans 46% prefer the term Hispanic, while just 8% say they prefer the term “Latino”—roughly a 6-to-1 ratio.

You actually have to dig deeper because some people will say neither, they will say American. But others will report back to their country of origin like Colombian or Puerto Rican. The identifying term is very important because this is how businesses and organizations cater towards our community. If you see an ad referring to the term Latino, but you prefer Hispanic, you may not want their product or service.

I'm actually very surprised the term Hispanic is still high in percentage since in reality, it was a term defined by the U.S. government and only ties us with Spanish roots. Latino encompasses all three cultures: Spanish, African, Indigenous. I honestly named this blog after Geraldo River's book, however, I prefer the term Latino. It's also evident that in mainstream media and professional organizations, the term Hispanic is used more often than Latino.

So what's your preference?

Buzzfeed launches en español

We live in a world where companies and media outlets are attempting to reach Latino audiences. And Buzzfeed is up next! No details about why but it's sort of self-explanatory. According to a Facebook post by Adrian Carasquillo, Buzzfeed Breaking News Reporter, "BuzzFeed Español is here, which means two things. Reaction badges like this that are perfect BUT ALSO if you prize your work productivity you might not want to head there."

In addition to articles in Spanish and some being translated, gotta love the reaction stickers! If you're an avid Buzzfeed reader you know these come with the brand loyalty. And they look even more amazing en español. The stickers include: JAJAJA, Genial, Dios Mio, Lindo, Fallo and WTF. Love the JAJA and WTF. They just make sense.

Will you be reading en español? In English? Or both?

PBS Invites you to share your Latino story

I probably should have mentioned I took the summer off from writing but we're back! I won't bore you with my summer travels but ever since I started my Fall 2013 semester at Saint Joseph's University Writing Studies Program, I've been meaning to write more. And what better way than to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month...or as others call it Latino Heritage Month.

I recently came across NYC's flagship PBS station "13" and what they're doing to promote Hispanic Heritage Month. While others tend to highlight the usual suspects,  the local PBS stations is asking for our stories.

• More than four million Latino Americans call the New York and New Jersey region home. Alongside the landmark PBS series "Latino Americans" premiering September 17, 2013, we are collecting the stories of Latino Americans of New York and New Jersey for a 30-minute program, "Latino Americans of NY & NJ," to air on WNET stations Thirteen, WLIW21, and NJTV between September 17 and October 11, 2013. 

Some of the stories are heartwarming, inspirational, dedicated but above all, they are our stories.

• Carmen Rodriguez, Puerto Rico, says, "In poor Latino families, the most common way to express generosity, neighborliness, love, gratitude and warmth is the sharing of food."
•  Amy Ramirez Rodriguez, Dominican Republic, says, "My family migrated to NYC on Christmas Eve in 1965. Since then, my family has gone to great lengths to re-enforce the bonds between those of us here in NYC and those of us in Santo Domingo, en 'La Capital.'"
•  Pedro Martinez, Cuba, says, "  I used to play a lot of religious ceremonies in Cuba that are still practiced in Cuba and here too (called “Santería” in Cuba and “Yoruba” in Africa)."

These are just a few of the hundred stories the station has collected. To share your story and possibly be featured, visit thirteen.org. 

A strange restaurant experience

About a week or so ago I had dinner at an unnamed restaurant in Atlantic City. Let's start out by saying it is NOT located inside any of the casinos; that makes a difference. I was having dinner with a coworker and we both agreed to try pretty much everything in Atlantic City. Half way through the lunch a table with with four people started experiencing some troubles. These aren't restaurant troubles, but a woman started coughing over and over again. I'd like to point out that the group was most likely from the city (can't confirm) and they were also minorities (can't confirm but maybe Puerto Rican).

The cough was getting worse and no one seemed concerned. I don't even think a waitress went to see if she was okay. A few seconds later the woman coughing gets up to go outside but doesn't make it. A little throw-up comes out the mouth. I felt bad for her. Again, instead of restaurant personnel helping the group, you could tell they were annoyed. I was confused why the restaurant employees weren't doing anything. Then one of the waitresses mumbled, "I told her to go to the bathroom," in a clear tone.

After the group paid for their meal, the same waitress went around and apologized for the group. Confused. There's nothing to apologize for. She was sick and you didn't do anything to help her. Again I can't prove any type of prejudice but if the group was (como se dice) not white nor dress how they were, would the situation have changed?  The waitress even gave us free dessert. I didn't complain about that ;). I asked my coworker what her thoughts were and she definitely agreed.

Just had to get this off my chest.

NCLR's 2012 ALMA Awards

National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) American Latino Media Arts (ALMA)Awards, has promoted fair, accurate, and representative portrayals of Latinos in entertainment. This year will be no different. FOR GREATER GLORY dominated nominations for the 2012 ALMA. The epic action adventure about Mexico’s Cristero War for religious freedom earned five nominations – including Favorite Movie – for ALMA Awards. NBC will air the 2012 ALMA Awards at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT Sept. 21.Nuestra gente is able to join in on the action by voting for their favorite Latinos in movies, music and television.  Hurry because voting ends on Friday, September 7. Need another reason to vote? One lucky voter has the chance to win a trip for two to Pasadena, California and join the live taping.