This is a sponsored post on behalf of LATISM. However all opinions are my own.
Having more diversity in the media and giving diverse channels the importance they deserve is crucial for many reasons. The recent Democratic debate hosted on the Spanish network Univision exemplifies this. During the debate issues that are of special interest to the Latino population, like immigration, where addressed and we also got to see people who we usually don’t see in the media, like the Guatemalan immigrant woman who brought to light the importance of putting laws in place that keep families together, something that is not talked about often. Being from Guatemala myself I can tell you that hearing her speak about what she was going through touched me as I could really identify with her. The
Here are five reasons why we need more diversity to be represented in the media:
- Latinos and other minorities need role models they can relate to and that look like them. I know as a Latina who grew up in Latin America and who speaks two languages I want to see more Latinos like me, more people who understand who I am, where I come from and what’s important to me on TV and in other media. This is specially important for the younger generation who are looking for role models and it is very hard to find role models from minorities either in TV, in the news or in other media like film. Young people need to feel that they are not alone, that there are others like them, coming from a similar background and they need to see this reflected in the media.
- We need to see different perspectives. America is a land of immigrants; a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, ethnicities and to get a real perspective of who the American people are and what they think and hold important we need to hear from people of every group to get every perspective.
- We need to provide a real depiction of the world and of our country. We live in a very diverse country and media needs to reflect this by showcasing minorities in a real way and not by having Latinos only play the maid or the construction worker on TV (the same goes for blacks and other ethnicities) but also by giving diverse networks like Univision the importance they deserve.
- We need to hear all voices. Minority children need to know that they have a voice and that their voice matters. When we, as a minority, do not see ourselves in the media we often feel invisible, we feel that we do not belong and that we are not important. We need to change that!
- Diversity in the media creates opportunities. Having diversity in the media opens the doors for other aspiring journalists, actors and actresses, producers, directors, etc.
I am excited to announce that LATISM will be having a Twitter Chat tonight, March 15th, at 9pm ET to open up the disussion about the importance of diversity in the media. I hope that you will be able to join us and let us know why you think that diversity is important in media. Follow and use the #LATISM and #Respeto hashtags to participate. See you there!
Paula moved from her native Guatemala to SW Florida with her husband and two children and together they are discovering what it means to live life between two languages.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
Latest posts by Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz (see all)
- Guatemalan Dulce de Chilacayote Recipe (Crystalized Chilacayote Candy) - February 26, 2024
- Guatemalan Naranjas en Miel Recipe (Candied Oranges Recipe) - February 25, 2024
- Traditional Guatemalan Candy - February 25, 2024
I totally agree with you that we need role models in the media that represent us. Not only see negative stories, but see all the good our community is doing in all areas of society. Diversity is vital for a fair society, and the media is the ideal place to see these changes happen.
I love this and couldn’t agree with what you’re saying more. Having diverse figures on television and on other forms of the media has so man http://bestpractices.diversityinc.com/
You make great points about diversity impacting opportunities and youth. Youth do benefit from seeing a diverse version of their possibilities, just as you shared.
Wonderfully said! It can be very isolating, especially for youth, to only see a limited scope of diversity in mainstream media. And this can affect so many aspects of their lives. Thanks so much for sharing.