Today marked the launch of the NBC Latino social media initiative to bring mainstream reporting to the forefront of the Latino audience.
With the launch of their Twitter and Facebook accounts, I’d like to be one of the first in Latino media to congratulate the NBC Latino news team on this very notable and timely accomplishment.
I can say with all certainty that a respected news team on an equally respected, nationally recognized, mainstream media platform is very long overdue and with such power surely comes an even greater level of responsibility in reporting.
As the Latino community continues to contribute to society in all aspects of life what we’ve been lacking for decades past is the platform to uplift, promote, support and empower our own.
I’ve often asked the questions, “Where are the Latino Tyler Perry’s, The Latino Oprah’s, The Latino P-Diddy’s & Jay Z’s of the world,” that have not only built multi-billion dollar empires, but in the process have also laid a foundation for career opportunities for people of color to flourish in and leave successful legacies behind for their children…
An equally important question would be, “Where are our Latino Dr. Martin Luther King’s and President Obama’s,” who will represent our voice and help guide and lead our best interests into building a stronger foundation for the future of this great country for decades to come ensuring our seat at the table and our voice at the podium… Ensuring our legacy is strong for our future generations in all aspects of society.
I’d challenge the NBC Latino team to recognize that multi-billion dollar empires are not built by any one man or woman alone. But more so, are built over time with support from mainstream audiences who come to trust in the reputations of those delivering the news of the products and services, whether they are a message of hope, the latest and greatest new Latino film or an as yet awarded work of literature.
There is no "one" Latino / Latina who can build a legacy as powerful as those aforementioned without the vast support of an entire community of like-minded individuals. Individuals who understand that when we uplift our own to levels of greatness, we also open the door to future opportunities to those who are following behind us.
A great cultural society isn’t built on the notion of what can I do for myself, but rather what can I do for those around me…
I envision a day when my daughters graduate college and tweet me the news that they’ve just accepted a position with a billion dollar Latino owned company. And I believe that day can come with the creation of viable media outlets and an audience that trusts them enough to support what they promote.
The NBC Latino team posed the question on Facebook regarding what we’d like to see them report on.
For me personally, it would be news that delves deeply into the root causes of why we’ve been so underserved for so many centuries, leaving our socioeconomic conditions virtually unchanged for far too many people for far too long.
And of course, I’d love to see an equal balance of coverage reporting on our latest Latina “it” girl Gina Rodriguez being praised at Sundance for her work on Filly Brown, as well as coverage of all Latinos using their talent to introduce the world to our never-ending levels of creativity and genius in art, film, literature, stage, politics, etc.
But again, there has to come a time when Latino media, holds our Latino elected officials accountable when they fail to hold others accountable for the mistreatment of our people.
For starters, I’d love to see NBC Latino engage Latino Bronx Borough President Ruben Dian Jr. and begin reporting on why the NYPD continues to go unchallenged for their atrocious abuses of power being perpetrated against minorities, predominantly African Americans and Latinos in New York City, starting with the beating in the attached video that took place last week in the Bronx – which is clearly a show of excessive force on every level.
I have a dream that some media outlet someday will use their power to awaken, educate, entertain and inspire many generations of Latinos who have been left feeling powerless, hopeless and more importantly voiceless for far too long.
And I certainly raise a challenge to the NBC Latino team to become that media outlet.
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