“We’re on a mission from God”

“Pregunta del Dia” translates into “Question of the Day,” and today’s question is from a young woman who preferred to remain nameless:

Q. Why are you doing this?

A. Like Jake and Elwood Blues, I’m on a mission.

Set aside Spanish-language media, Major League Baseball, Jennifer Lopez, Ugly Betty and George Lopez.

Do you watch news on TV? Ever looked on the op-ed pages of major American newspapers? Or watched political shows Sunday morning? Or checked out the covers of best-selling books at Borders? Take note: there’s a whole lot of white, and a good amount of black. But the brown barely exists.

When the whole “Will Barack Obama capture the Latino vote?” issue was hot, how many Latino op-ed contributors did you read in the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times? How many Hispanics did you see opining on “Meet the Press” or “Real Time?”

There are 45.5 million of us, according to the newest U.S. Census data – 15% of the population, projected to be 30% by 2050 – but we’re still largely invisible in the mainstream media. Do you think “The View” could get away with not having a black woman (or two?), how about any other major network entertainment or news show? Not happenin’, but there seems to be no problem with the stunning lack of brown.

Any idea how the “last in, first out” hiring/firing policies at major American newsrooms are affecting the historically low number of Hispanic journalists working in English-language media – most of whom are relegated to the status of “Hispanic/Immigration reporter,” few of whom ever decide what is considered “news?” Not pretty.

Is there any wonder that the overwhelming majority of news stories about Hispanics almost always paint us all out to be immigrants (possibly illegal at that), criminals, or – even worse – victims? The few “positive” news stories talk about our consumer buying power, and projected voting power (though that tide is turning).

I could go on, but I’d rather just spring into action. The internet and self-publishing are not the wave of the future, they are the reality of today. Rather than try to get a foothold on the traditional  media structures, I’m doing my own thing on the internet were all the cool kids hang, writing about everything and anything whether it’s “Hispanic” or not – just ‘cause I can.

Hope you’ll hang with me.

Post your comments on http://www.pregunta-del-dia.com and visit “600words.com” to read this week’s columns.

Esther J. Cepeda writes the “600 Words” & “Pregunta del Dia” columns, and is also a Director at the Chicago-based United Neighborhood Organization but her reporting and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of UNO. "Pregunta del Dia” is a registered trademark of EeJayCee, Inc., Copyright 2008. May be reprinted with permission, contact questions@pregunta-del-dia.com.

Comments

[Anna Cepeda]

In regard to JFlores' comment: Esther did not disrespect immigration rights in her article. She highlights the fact that maybe some immigrants are missing the big picture here. Especially when we hear statistics of Hispanics having the highest dropout rates in the nation. How do you expect to get into that newsroom, or should immigrants only dream to get into this country however they can so they can just clean the newsroom? The way to real immigration reform is to get into those positions that will allow you to make real change and be the actual face of change. Education is the only key that will unlock that door.
Esther, so good to have found you again!
Anna Cepeda (no relation)

[Stu Umholtz]

So many folks see problems from only a white, black, yellow or brown perspective but I have found that color blindness gives us the ability to see the problems more clearly and the solutions are more obtainable. Perhaps part of the problem is that we paint these colors with too broad of a brush and should strive to better understand the many, many different attributes of these limitless colors. In this country there needs to be a greater appreciation for the fact that our diversity is our strength. In many ways, the differences that separate us at the same time strengthen us. I encourage you to follow your passion to make a difference.

[Lois]

Of course, this old broad is going to hang with you. I was so disappointed when you were one of the axed columnists in the Sun-Times. There were a few others I would have gladly missed, but not you. Thanks for keeping on for those of us who enjoy your brand of writing.

Lois

[jflores]

Esther,

How do you vacillate so easily from disrespecting rights for immigrants one day, and go to protesting the lack of hispanic journalists in mainstream media the next.

Has it occurred to you that perhaps both issues might be related?

[AmericanFamily]

Interesting comments. Calls to mind Geraldo, Rick Hernandez and my personal favorite Cesar Milan. He is soooo hot.

I think Cesar is the most significant for showing us that one can overcome illegality and become rich and famous while provding a tremendous benefit to American Society all at the same time.

The real problem is the new low that journalists have begun to sink to. Everything in print and on TV is junk entertainment. The more skewed the story the better apparently. Not that "balance" is everything in fact when someone is screwing up or things are blatently unfair, dishonest or an abuse of power why pander to the "balanced quote"?

What I would like to see is the likes of Lou Dobbs who is an activist or a one man PAC if you will, have to report his earnings and disclose his activities to Uncle Sam like all other PAC's do.
I think pushing his political agenda is a wierd hybrid type of political activity. I don't know how he is getting away with it. Its NOT entertainment its propoganda.

[jose]

Who cares where the editorials are coming from as long as they look at the issues? Most Latino editors anyways don't really have any idea of what people in their community are actually going through. All they have is some idealized and commercialized (for that matter) visions of how "Hispanics" are supposed to live. Who calls themselves that anyways, except for business minded Uncle Tom's that are only after perpetuating a system that has only exploited the majority of their families here and abroad. No reporter gets to decide what is news at least not on local levels, their editors do. Besides most opinions are just rehashed bits of what CNN or the AP has already stated. I am really more interested in editorials that really describe how people are feeling on the streets, not what some academic thinks or feels the people need.