latinx Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta speaks at WSU

By Lauren Paterson April 5, 2023

Dolores Huerta speaks at a podium at Washington State University. She wears a black shirt and a turquoise jacket.

Dolores Huerta spoke about her years of activism at the WSU Pullman campus April 3. (Credit: College Assistance Migrant Program) Listen (Runtime 1:07) Read Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta spoke… Continue Reading Civil rights activist Dolores Read More

Banco de alimentos latino ayuda a comunidades en Washington

By Johanna Bejarano December 1, 2022

Miembros del equipo de Alimentando al Pueblo preparan cajas de alimentos culturalmente relevantes. Foto suministrada por Roxana Pardo. ESCUCHE (Duración 1:11) LEA Con menos fondos para la asistencia alimentaria después… Continue Reading Banco Read More

Organizations help Hispanic voters understand the electoral process

By Johanna Bejarano November 4, 2022

Listen (Runtime 0:56) Read Voting rights advocacy groups are helping Hispanic people in Central Washington understand the election process. Some citizens have not voted in past elections because they’ve had… Continue Reading Read More

Artistas chicanos y mexicoamericanos conectan su cultura y sus comunidades

By Johanna Bejarano September 29, 2022

El poeta Ricardo Ruiz, la artista visual Christie Tirado y el artista conceptual Saúl Martínez. LEA Tres artistas del centro de Washington muestran la experiencia chicana y mexicanoamericana, aportando significado… Continue Read More

Chicanos and Mexican American Artists Connect Their Culture And Communities

By Johanna Bejarano September 28, 2022

Poet Ricardo Ruiz, visual artist Christie Tirado and conceptual artist Saul Martinez. Listen (Runtime 2:37) Read Three Central Washington artists showcase the Chicano and Mexican American experience, bringing significance to… Read More

Lifelong Educator Is The Hispanic Link To Wenatchee Schools

By Johanna Bejarano August 1, 2022

Alfonso Lopez is the bridge between the Hispanic/Latino community and the Wenatchee School District. Photo from www.wenatcheeschools.org. Listen (Runtime 4:28) Read The Wenatchee School District wants stronger relations with the… Continue Read More

Yakima Nonprofit Organizations Encourage Latinos To Vote

By NWPB News November 1, 2021

Organizations in Yakima County are motivating Latinx voters to get to the polls on Elections Day. Informational sessions and events are part of the strategies. Continue Reading Yakima Nonprofit Organizations Encourage Latinos To VoteRead More

The Limitations Of ‘Latinidad’: How Colorism Haunts ‘In The Heights’

By NWPB News June 28, 2021

Singer and actor Leslie Grace stars as Nina Rosario (center), the beloved and brilliant neighborhood sweetheart in the film adaptation of the musical In the Heights. Macall Polay/Warner Brothers

On the Monday after the release of In the Heights, its creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda posted not a congratulatory note but an apology. Over the weekend, the conversation around colorism and In the Heights reached a fever pitch as more viewers began to wonder why there weren't any dark-skinned Afro-Latinos in any of the leading roles to represent a place as diverse as Read More

‘In The Heights’ Star Anthony Ramos Says The Movie Sees ‘Good In Every Hood’

By NPR News June 14, 2021

Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) runs a corner bodega and dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic in In the Heights. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The first time actor Antony Ramos saw In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway production about a Latinx community in New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood, he was floored. Continue Reading ‘In The Heights’ Read More

It’s Complicated: Why Some Northwest Latinx Residents And Farmworkers Hesitate On COVID Vaccine

By Anna King April 23, 2021

Vanessa Delgado, of Irvine, Calif., recently got her COVID-19 vaccine. She also helped her farmworker father of Benton County, Wash., get his shot.

Across the Northwest, many Latinx families are facing similar barriers to getting vaccinated and other issues. Adding to the complexity is powerful misinformation on social media and by word-of-mouth, the recent health concerns over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and religious reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 4: Carlos Gil On Mexican-American Assimilation, Identity And Immigration

By Grace Arnis November 10, 2020

Carlos Gil, guest number four on the podcast Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella.

In this episode of "Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella," author and University of Washington professor of Chicano studies Carlos Gil discusses his views of assimilation as a descendant of Mexican immigrants growing up in California Continue Reading ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 4: Carlos Read More

Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance

By NPR News October 12, 2020

Ballet Hispánico celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1970 by Tina Ramirez. CREDIT: Paula Lobo/Ballet Hispánico

The dance company features work of Latinx choreographers, as well as a robust educational outreach program. It was just awarded a $4 million grant from the Ford Foundation. Continue Reading Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Read More

CDC Study Finds Latinx Employees Hit Disproportionately Hard By Workplace Outbreaks

By NPR News August 17, 2020

A COVID-19 test is collected in Salt Lake City, Utah. A federal study published Monday found that Hispanic and non-white workers make up a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases associated with workplace outbreaks in Utah. CREDIT: Rick Bowmer/AP

A study out Monday found that Hispanic and nonwhite workers made up 73% of cases associated with workplace outbreaks in certain industries, despite representing 24% of the workforce in those sectors. Continue Reading CDC Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘You Had Me At Hola’ Had Us Right From The Beginning

By NPR News August 8, 2020

Alexis Daria's soapy, sizzling new novel follows two telenovela actors who fall for each other while playing bitter exes — and have to figure out how to balance private love and public stardom. Continue Reading BOOK REVIEW: ‘You Had Me At Read More

El Paso Mourns, At A Distance, One Year After Walmart Massacre That Targeted Latinos

By NPR News August 3, 2020

Mourners hold 23 crosses Monday in front of a Walmart honoring those killed in the 2019 attack in El Paso, Texas. CREDIT: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Some mourners from Mexico reportedly have been unable to visit the city because of border restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading El Paso Mourns, At A Distance, One Year After Walmart Massacre Read More

Black And White Emmy Nominations Prompt #LatinosAreOnTVToo

By NPR News August 1, 2020

Leslie Jones announces the 2020 Emmy nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series Tuesday during the 72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements in Los Angeles. CREDIT: Invision for The Television Academy

While the 2020 Emmy nominations announced this week were notable for the number of Black shows and creators, they were woefully lacking representation of Latinx talent. Continue Reading Black And White Emmy Nominations Prompt #LatinosAreOnTVTooRead More

Déjà Vu All Over Again: Suit Alleges Latinx Voters Disenfranchised By Yakima County Election System

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa July 13, 2020

Dulce Gutierrez, right, Assistant Mayor of Yakima, speaks Jan. 5, 2018, during a news conference at the Capitol in Olympia about the need to address voter access in the state.

Yakima County is being sued over how it runs elections. In a lawsuit filed Monday, plaintiffs argue the current at-large voting system dilutes Latinx votes. That would violate the Washington State Voting Rights Act. A 2012 lawsuit against the city of Yakima claimed a similar disenfranchising voting system. Federal courts agreed in that case. Read More

Immigrant Farmworkers Face Unique Challenges As Coronavirus Continues To Spread

By Monica Samayoa April 12, 2020

Migrant farmer Martin Zavala-Martinez prunes a pear tree at Avalon Orchards in Parkdale, Ore., Thursday, April 2, 2020. People needing H-2A work visas are facing delays at the U.S.-Mexico border due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the most vulnerable groups currently working through the coronavirus pandemic is made up of immigrant farmworkers. As this population works through some of the unique challenges they face due to the coronavirus, one Tri-Cities radio station is trying to help. Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Tigers, Not Daughters’ Is Haunting — With Or Without A Ghost

By NPR News March 28, 2020

In Samantha Mabry's new novel, three prickly sisters are haunted, maybe literally, by their fourth, who's died in an accident. She has a message for them, but they may be too sunk in grief to hear it. Continue Reading BOOK REVIEW: Read More

Tonasket Settles With Former Police Officer Who Alleged Mayor Said His Name Was ‘Too Hispanic’

By Nicholas Deshais March 12, 2020

Tonasket, in Washington's Okanogan County, no longer has a police force after the mayor disbanded it. Courtesy city of Tonasket

A former police officer in Okanogan County town of Tonasket will receive $80,000, after he alleged the mayor told him his name sounded “too Hispanic.” Jose Perez, who was one of three people in the town’s police department, took his allegations to the Tonasket City Council in January 2019, where he described what he said Mayor Dennis Brown told him. Read More

Latinx Critics Speak Out Against ‘American Dirt’; Jeanine Cummins Responds

By NPR News January 24, 2020

Latinx writers and critics are speaking out against Jeanine Cummins' new book American Dirt, calling its depiction of the migrant experience inauthentic and harmful. We asked Cummins to respond. Continue Reading Latinx Critics Read More

Civil Rights Groups Claim Latinx Disenfranchisement In Yakima County, Ready To Sue

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa January 17, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Civil rights groups are poised to sue Yakima County over their election system, alleging it dilutes Latinx votes in violation of the state Voting Rights Act. Continue Reading Civil Rights Groups Claim Latinx Disenfranchisement Read More

In ‘Party Of Five’ Reboot, Deportation Separates The Family Instead Of Death, But Tragedy Remains

By NPR News January 11, 2020

The Party of Five reboot centers on five Latinx siblings who are left to navigate life on their own after their parents are deported. Gilles Mingasson/Freeform

The hit '90s TV drama is back with a timely twist. Co-creator Amy Lippman and writer Gabriel Llanas talk about creating a show about five Latinx siblings whose parents are deported to Mexico. Continue Reading In Read More

Yakima City Council Pulls Strong-Mayor Proposal From Ballot Hours After Opponents File Lawsuits

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa December 11, 2019

The Yakima City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in favor of a proposal that would establish an at-large mayoral position in city government if approved by voters in a February special election. Civil rights organizations say any kind of city-wide elections would disenfranchise Latinx voters in Yakima and would violate the federal Voting Rights Act. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

A proposal to change Yakima’s form of government by replacing the city manager with an elected mayor is off the table — at least for now. City council members voted Tuesday to remove the measure from the February ballot hours after two lawsuits were filed by a coalition of civil rights organizations. Read More

Yakima Pierde Representación Latina, Organizadores Se Preguntan Qué Sucedió

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 22, 2019

El Concejo Municipal de Yakima votó 4-3 el martes 19 de noviembre a favor de una propuesta que establecerá un puesto de alcalde general en el gobierno de la ciudad si votantes la aprueban en una elección especial en febrero. Organizaciones de derechos civiles dicen que elecciones en cuales participa todo el electorado de Yakima ponen en riesgo los derechos de votantes latinos, por lo que oponen la propuesta que además violaría la Ley federal de derecho de voto. CRÉDITO: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa / NWPB

El próximo consejo municipal en Yakima será menos diverso. Solo una candidata Latina tiene una ventaja estrecha sobre su oponente electoral, cuatro años después de que las primeras Latinas tomaron cargos en el ayuntamiento después de una elección histórica. ¿Qué sucedió? Read More

As Yakima Loses Latinx Representation On City Council, Organizers Wonder What Happened

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 21, 2019

Yakima's next council will likely be different. Only two Latina candidates ran for office this year, and just one has a lead — a narrow one — over her opponent. Yakima’s population is nearly half Latinx. Continue Reading Read More

The 2010s: Latinx Music Before And After ‘Despacito’

By NPR News November 15, 2019

Luis Fonsi (left) and Daddy Yankee perform "Despacito" during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. CREDIT: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS

It's almost impossible to pinpoint an exact moment in music history when the plates shift. But looking back at the last decade in Latin music, it's easy, now to see that the release of "Despacito" by Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi in early 2017 was just such a moment. Read More

ACTUALIZADO: Yakima Es Mitad Latino, Pero Tal Vez Ni Uno Será Parte Del Concejo Municipal

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 7, 2019

El consejo municipal de Yakima está considerando presentar a los votantes un cambio en el gobierno de la ciudad para eliminar la posición de gerente de la ciudad a favor de un alcalde electo elegido en toda la ciudad. Actualmente, la alcaldesa, Kathy Coffey (centro, fila inferior), es elegida dentro del consejo municipal. Cortesía del Ayuntamiento de Yakima.

La única candidata latina postulada para el Consejo Municipal de Yakima parece haber perdido la eleccion. En resultados preliminares, Eliana Macías perdió contra Kenton Gartrell, quien ha recibido 57 por ciento del voto. Continue Read More

UPDATE: Latinx People Make Up Half of Yakima. The City Council May End Up With No Latinx Members

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 7, 2019

The only Latina candidate running for Yakima City Council appears to have lost her bid. That means Yakima -- the population of which is nearly 50 percent Latinx -- will likely be governed by an all-white council for the first time since 2015. Read More

5 Years After Lawsuit, Votes Of Latinx Residents Are At Issue In Yakima Government Change Debate

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 4, 2019

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is election day, but the city of Yakima is debating what might go on its next ballot in 2020. Councilmembers are considering a proposal to put the establishment of a mayoral position to a vote. The Yakima mayor would replace the city manager’s position and be elected by the city at-large. Read More

Washington Ag Workers Are Exempt From Overtime. A State Supreme Court Case Could Change That

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa October 25, 2019

Maria Cuevas, a farmworker and community activist in Yakima, has marched in every Yakima May Day gathering since 1986, including with Cesar Chavez. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

A class-action lawsuit argued in the Washington State Supreme Court Thursday is challenging the exemption of agricultural workers from earning overtime pay, alleging that it results in racial discrimination against the largely Latino workforce. Read More

‘Alternatino’ Star Arturo Castro Wants You To Know You’re ‘Invited To The Party’

By NPR News June 24, 2019

"I really want people to know: You don't have to be Latin in order to enjoy the show," says Castro. His sketch comedy series on Comedy Central pokes fun at supposedly woke white people. Continue Reading ‘Alternatino’ Star Read More

Latino Businesses Caught In Between ‘No’ And ‘Yes’ Campaigns Of Washington Carbon Tax Measure

By Esmy Jimenez October 31, 2018

Mary’s Boutique, owned by Mario Fuentes, in Yakima. According to a public list available on “No on 1631” Mary’s Boutique is listed as a business opposed to the carbon tax initiative. Fuentes says he never gave permission for his business to be published on that list and that he is in favor I-1631. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENZ/NWPB

Some Washington Latino-owned businesses say they were wrongly put on a list that claimed they were against I-1631, a state ballot initiative seeking to tax carbon emissions. Continue Reading Latino Businesses Caught In Read More