An open letter to Soledad O'Brien

Dear Soledad,

For years I have admired your reporting as well as your composure behind the mic or the anchor desk. In fact, it is my desire to hear another Latina tell our story that prompted me to watch your special, “Latino in America” (LIA).

However, from a storytelling standpoint—and for four hours worth of coverage, no less—it seems you bit off more than you could chew.

Was LIA really about the Garcias? If so, the symbolism is not lost on us; the Garcia name—one of my family names, in fact—is reaching “Jones” or “Smith” status, it's so popular. We get that.

But there’s so much more to us than sheer numbers. When the general public sees the “numbers” and takes in the highly negative stereotypes LIA depicted, they are probably thinking one thing: “Houston, we have a problem.”

While I believe your intentions were noble, you missed a huge opportunity to educate the public—as well as corporate America—on the success and promise of many, many Latinos who are indeed movers and shakers in society—not just among Latinos, mind you. They are in mainstream business, technology, public service, nonprofit, media, education—you name it. And they are making a positive impact. They can be found outside L.A. and Miami, too.

Was LIA about the immigrant experience? Or all Latinos in the US? If the latter, then please, please finish the story. There are 51 million of us—60% of whom were born here, many born elsewhere, but who share powerful success stories. Maybe you cover this in your book. But there’s not a hint of it in the LIA report—especially for the burgeoning under-18 population.

Essentially, you've just told these young people: Mijo/Mija, this is your future. This is who we think you are. You can do it.

What kind of potential does the world think they have after watching LIA? What kind of future do they think we have as a people?

The problem is, LIA focuses on the struggle. Of course, that is real. But where’s the overcoming? That is what imparts hope and helps the next generation indeed feel, ¡Sí, se puede! But they have to be able to look at success and see themselves in it.

We are so proud of and adore Lorena Garcia, Lupe Ontiveros, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez and so many others. But again, mostly a vertical slice of success.

On Twitter and on the Web, there is nothing short of lively discourse—I’d call it a movimiento. From lists of Latino leaders to passionate commentary on what is viewed as a huge opportunity lost, you have started a discussion on the power and potential of Latinos.

And that is a good thing.

Soledad, thank you for taking on this task. While I and many others feel it is far from finished, there is plenty of material out there to tell the rest of the story.

Comments

[twitter.com/AnaRC]

Excellent summary. This might be the beginning of a conversation. It depicted one side of the coin. 41% of Latinas dropout of High School (mainly due to Teenage pregnancy). Now it's time to show the other side. 59% of successful college grads, business owners, leaders. As you call it "movers and shakers". This is in all fairness to our young Latinas who are crying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We must show them the positive side of the coin. That they can make it. With concrete examples of role models who have made it. Do it for my kids Soledad.

[amorcitos]

Thanks for your comment, Ana. The part about young Latinas needing hope really strikes a chord with me, too. I think there is a unique opportunity, having opened the door for this discussion, for CNN to make this Chapter One. I look forward to more of the story.