»» Columnists

Meet The Prensa: The Discontent with CNN’s “Latino in America”

by Jose Simian | 12:04 pm, October 30th, 2009

» 8 comments

Screen shot 2009-10-30 at 10.32.01 AM The first part, “Meet the Garcías,” displayed stories of success and struggle of people who shared that surname, the 8th most popular in the United States. It was narratively smart and avoided the sentimentality that Hispanic television regularly resorts to when portraying its potential viewers. It included stories of triumph and failure; of celebrities and regular folk; of legal and illegal immigrants; of devoted parents and high school drop-outs; of mother and daughter conflicts; of the hardships of cultural assimilation and the transformation of the Latino identity; of the difficulties of practicing your religion in a foreign country; and of the stereotypes that media has built on Latinos.

The second part, “Chasing the Dream,” had longer stories on the so-called American Dream ranging from the transformation of a city by Latinos to discrimination and hate crimes. The segments were interlocked by monologues of Latinos in the vein of the successful “Habla” series of HBO.

I understand that when the wait for mainstream media to start tackling the Latino question seriously instead of as a stupid tagline (i.e. thinking that dropping a Spanish word in the middle of a script is funny rather than offensive) seems to be coming to an end, expectations and anxiety run high. We all expect Latinos to be treated as equals, with respect for our language and culture(s). But let’s not confuse a television documentary with reality.

Actually, if you take a second to think about it, the fact that this excellent program couldn’t really encompass the Latino experience proves the greatness and complexity of the subject. Moreover, trying to impose conditions on the way serious media can portray Hispanics, or dismissing O’Brien for “not being Latina enough” (she doesn’t speak fluent Spanish, was born here, and is only half-Latina by blood) completely misses the point. It equals the short-sightedness of those who think their version of the United States is the right one, something they could preserve if only these tenths of millions of Latinos went back home, wherever that may be.

The fact that both an undocumented immigrant and someone like me —who came to this country to get a fancy degree and had the chance to stay— can claim to be Latinos, as well as share things that no television report can really grasp, is a wonderful thing. If it did, we would call it art, not journalism.

Pages: 1 2

CNN, El Diario, Jose Simian, Latino in America, Latinos Media, Meet The Prensa, Soledad O'Brien

Nachi

These folks have an enormous capacity for whining and demanding. In my city they are a 2/3rds majority.
They have the audacity to call themselves “exiles.” It’s quite an experience. Every day. In every way. 6 years as a big-city, night time beat-cop was quite an eye-opener.
ImNotBlue

What are you talking about?
Jim R

Very thoughtful analysis, Mr. Simian.

I thought CNN did a good job within the confines of an expansive topic and limited time.

I too found some of the reviews and reactions from all sides predictably shallow and unnecessarily strident. We’ve all seen the inflammatory rhetoric, especially in recent years, that better serves the interests of powerful entities exploiting divisions than a civil society practicing human rights for all.

I’d like to see a more in-depth show, however, comparing and contrasting different periods of immigration and societal assimilation in our nation’s history.

I personally find it ironic that this nation of immigrants is so easily manipulated into low brow stereotyping and “populist” rhetoric instead of embracing our history, ideals, and true economic prosperity for all.
jolivaresh

A mi, me parecio un exelente trabajo de soledad, Gacias Jose, no me pierdo tus articulos.
juliorvarela

This is a good post, and I comment as someone who saw all 4 hours. The reality is that all three examples you offer struck a chord with fellow Latinos. That “rant” you mention here has received more than 3400 views on YouTube in less than two weeks. Sure Robles could have been less biting, but the core argument he brings has connected with people. The same goes for the other two posts you bring. I plan to backlink this excellent post to my blog since you raise some good points. My perspective is this: CNN missed the boat and the documentary was flawed and unbalanced.
goober

I saw Latino in America and it was horrible. Soledad O’Brien is not representaive of Latinos at all.
goober

I saw Latino in America and it was horrible. Soledad O’Brien is not representaive of Latinos at all.
goober

Robles was right especially when she said that he hopes O’Brien will win an Emmy for the best impersonation of a Latina. That’s exactly right. She doesn’t come from the same background as the Latinos in this country, but she has tried to sell herself as somebody with connections to our group. She tries to be whatever background CNN needs her to be. She’s patronizing and when I see her, I change the channel!