CNN’s “Latino in America” series missed an opportunity to paint a more accurate picture of the largest minority in the United States. The 2-part series starts with a story on the anti-immigrant sentiment in Arizona and how a sheriff in that state has become an immigration enforcer.
That story seems to set the tone for the series as if the Latino experience in America is mostly one of illegal immigration, desperation, poverty and bad choices. With the exception of 2 success stories – one of a chef and the other of a Cuban-American senator, Latino in America seems to give the impression the majority of Latinos are unwilling to learn English, assimilate and effectively improve their lives.
The series didn’t explore other aspects of legal immigration, didn’t even mention the numerous contributions of Latino doctors, attorneys, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and politicians to this country, and failed to delve into the economic importance of this ethnic minority. It failed miserably in showing positive and more of middle-class Latino culture stories and there are definitely a lot of them out there.
Also missing from “Latino in America” – historical background of Latino migration waves, the differences between the diverse Latino nationalities and first, second and multi-generational Latinos.
With the amount of time and resources allegedly spent and the hype, I definitely expected more. Any comments?