CNN Plans Latino Documentary
Network Will Also Follow Up on 'Black in America’
by R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 5/25/2009 2:00:00 AM
Following last year’s successful Black In America documentary series, CNN will turn its cameras on America’s Latino community with the two-part documentary series Latino In America premiering in October.
CNN, which will also revisit the African-American community in July with Black In America 2, hopes to use the In America franchise to draw more attention to the struggles and triumphs of diverse communities, according to Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer for CNN Productions.
“The In America brand strand gives us the opportunity to look at groups of people in America that have been misreported or in some cases neglected [by the media],” Nelson said.
Latino In America, hosted by CNN personality and Black In America host Soledad O’Brien, will focus on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the pertinent issues that face the community.
“We found out with Black In America that many people who watched were not only black but Hispanic as well,” Nelson said. “This is the fastest-growing minority group in America today, but we don’t understand how really diverse this group is. The show focuses on how Latinos are changing America and how America is changing Latinos.”
The first part of the series will explore the lives of people across the country who share the surname “Garcia,” the eighth most popular family name in America. The second part focuses on how four different communities are meeting the challenges of disparities, immigration and discrimination in terms of language, education, citizenship, and cultural identity.
Celebrities such as Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria Parker, Jesse Garcia and Lupe Ontiveros will also be featured in the documentary.
Nelson said CNN will create a Spanish-language version of Latino In America, although it’s unclear when and where that version will be aired.
On the Black In America 2 front, Nelson said the network will look to continue the dialogue started with last year’s inaugural Black In America series, which drew 13 million viewers. The first Black In America 2 segment, “Today’s Pioneers,” will debut July 22, with the second part, “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” airing the following evening.
“What we heard was that viewers wanted more solutions,” Nelson said. “We’ve got an economy that is sick, and it usually affects the have-nots more than the haves. But in spite of the economy, there are remarkable things that are happening out there; there are people who are taking it upon themselves to make changes, and we want to show how that’s happening.”
A third special, CNN & Essence: Reclaiming the Dream, will be tied to the African-American women’s magazine’s July Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
As part of the Black In America 2 rollout, Nelson said CNN will launch a dedicated Web site (www.cnn.com/blackinamerica) for the franchise in June.
Nelson added that the In America franchise may also be expanded in the future to focus on other multicultural communities.
“We’re in the business of weighing the important issues of our time and the fascinating people and stories that impact those issues — that includes other cultural and ethnic groups,” said Nelson.
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We cannot afford any more immigrants of any nationality! Humanitarian can be taken too far, America cannot be the charitable country to the degree as in times past. I've worked in other countries and you can believe me they enforce their laws related to foreignors. Must we have another true revolution to wake up? When I was working abroad I worked legally on a visa and when my visa expired I obtained another one;(legally) through that countries government agency which reviewed progess. Either I was allowed to continue being a guest in good standing or depart. If one does not comply, authorities will locate you and you will gladly leave--POST HASTE.
Charles Bedord - 10/23/2009 12:33:58 AM EDT -
I am a black Panamanian and also a Spanish teacher. Remember, Hispanic is a group of people of all racial background. I saw the names for the line up for the upcoming latino documentary. Eva Longoria and the rest of them. Did we include people like Tatyana Ali, Tego Calderon, Gina Torres and the rest. I really don't want to see the typical Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban families featured. There is more to just those listed that is part of this Hispanic Heritage. Please feature the whole spectrum.
Safronia Y. JnBaptiste - 10/8/2009 1:11:15 PM EDT -
Are Latinos working in this program/documentary or is just other White and African American self center CNN
News program again. What would it take for Anglo-African Americans to finally get that America is not just Black and White only? Allow us to tell our own struggle from our own eyes.
Eusebia E Aquino-Hughes - 9/13/2009 8:50:57 PM EDT -
Dear CNN ;
Please Please allow us the same respect that Anglo-African Americans and many others in America take for grant. We want to speak out on the double standards of hate crimes when the target is a Latino/a American.
Please let America see how thier hate is killing our community. We want to tell our own struggle.So many times our struggle is water down on CNN and others by Anglo-African Americans.PLEASE GIVE US THE RESPECT TO TELL OUR OWN STRUGGLE.WE LIVE IT 24/7 IN AMERICA.WE LIVE IN 2 DIFFERENT AMERICAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.PLEASE CALL ME. I AM READY TO HELP YOU TO GET TO KNOW US.
Mrs. Eusebia E Aquino -Hughes - 9/13/2009 8:44:59 PM EDT -
I hope this " Latino in America crap show" will investigate abuses inside CNN against latinos. Jose Ramon Cotti, Mario Vela and Luis Barrera are just three names of people mistreated by CNN. Producers of this crappy show, please get to really work as journalists.
crapincnn equalscrap - 8/8/2009 1:47:27 AM EDT
Review: CNN's Black In America 2
07/22/2009O'Brien Addresses `Black In America' Critics
07/29/2009CNN’s ‘Black in America’ Posts Solid Ratings
07/24/2008CNN Initiative To Focus On Black America
03/12/2008
