It is no secret that the United States’ film and television industry has a diversity problem. Latinos make up 17% of the American population and 32% of frequent moviegoers, but are entirely underrepresented in film and TV. In the Media, Diversity, and Social Change Initiative's 2014 Report, Latinos made up only 4.9% of the movie characters in the 100 top grossing films of 20131.
When Americans think of cultural products of Mexico, they normally mention items such as tacos, mariachi bands, and the sombrero. However, the country has much more to present than the wonderful yet sometimes superficial artifacts widely known in the United States. One example is the visual arts, and more specifically, muralism.
The digital divide between Latinos and Non-Latinos in the United States is narrowing, but what does that really mean?
This past week the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Latin American Studies was excited to host a discussion led by its director Scott Morgenstern titled “Latinos & the US Election.” The presentation explored Latino voting trends, how they are influenced, and - what everybody is wondering about - its potential impact on Tuesday’s election. The following is a summary of dialogue that ensued.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re… bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”
—Donald Trump, 16 June 2015
Although The Affordable Care Act seeks to provide medical insurance to the uninsured at affordable rates, those who could perhaps benefit the most from this program have not been enrolling. Every one in three Latinos is uninsured, making this the ethnic group with largest number of uninsured people residing in the United States.1 Several factors contribute to this lack of enrollment including fear of deportation, general lack of awareness about the program, language barriers, and restricted internet access.
Leslie Acosta became the only Latina in the Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives in 2014, after she decided that “it was time to grab the bull by the horn and start doing meaningful things within the district.” A native of Puerto Rico, the social worker represents the 197th Legislative District in Pennsylvania, whose population is comprised of 53% Latinos and 44% African Americans. In her words, it is “a population that has been marginalized and underrepresented for a very long time.”1
On September 24, 2015 at the University of Pittsburgh’s medical school, doctors Patricia Documét and Diego Chaves-Gnecco gave updates on their projects that focus on Latino health care in the Pittsburgh region. Documét, MD, DrPH, is involved with Latino Engagement Group for Salud (LEGS), and much of her work includes community health workers, or “promotores” in Spanish.
The race for the president of the United States is nearing the finish line and Republican candidate Donald J. Trump and Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton have been pushing harder than ever to win the votes of the American people. Most recently, this week CNN aired what was the most-watched presidential debate in the history of the United States. While both candidates muddled through their respective weaknesses, one story that was exposed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has since dealt a serious blow to entrepreneur Donald Trump’s campaign.
It is no surprise by this point in his candidacy that Donald Trump is no friend to Latinos. Along with his rants about building a wall between the US and Mexico, he has attacked the Mexican people personally. In June of last year he was infamously quoted saying, “When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with them. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
