Our earlier post, Why Latinos SHOULDN’T Watch the Emmys, has already triggered a lot of discussion. One of the first and best comments came from Kico Velarde, winner of an Emmy in 2011 and nominated for his work as Producer/Editor for NBCUniversal’s Jay Leno’s Garage. Though he doesn’t agree with our position, he’s got some good points. Reed it through and feel free to leave comments of your own.
Dear Se Fija,
There are two things that I do religiously every day before heading out to the office: I scan CNN for news and stop by Se Fija for my Latino Entertainment news. I came across today’s posting on “Why Latinos SHOULDN’T Watch the Emmys this Weekend.” I must say was heart broken when I read the title, and crushed when I read the article.
As I read the article I was hoping that there would some twist in the title that was meant to mislead us into thinking of not watching the Emmy’s this weekend but then changes it around at the end to say, ‘let’s all watch it to support the Latinos that are nominated,’ because I know there Latinos who were nominated, like myself, who were not listed in the article.
Unfortunately, the title said it all and I have to speak my mind on it…respectfully of course, because we need to truthfully open up and take a look at ourselves as working Latinos in the industry. So here we go.
It wasn’t too long ago that we, Latinos, by the numbers were not being represented at all on television, both in front and behind the camera, much less, being nominated for any awards like an Emmy. Here we are in 2012, and in the article you list 8 nominations to talented people who are Latino or shows that have awesome characters being played by Latinos. Yet, we are saying that we shouldn’t watch the Emmy’s because there isn’t enough Latinos being nominated? Just saying that makes my heart drop into my stomach.
I love SeFija and what you guys are doing. I really think SeFija is fresh in its approach in covering Latino Hollywood, but this is where I must respectfully stop and disagree with this article.
Listen to me: we (and I mean everyone) NEED to watch the Emmy’s this weekend (along with the ALMA awards) and support and cheer those Latinos who are being recognized with a nomination (and who may win). How can we turn our noses up to the Academy because “there aren’t enough Latinos being nominated”? In my head I can hear George Lopez say jokingly in his mothers voice, “Aye mira…que Chingon!” Who are we not to support 8 nominations? Although Louis CK is taking most of them….but you can’t not support the guy cause he is crazy talented, but that’s 8 noms not including those of us who were nominated in the Creative Arts section.
I was nominated this year for a Creative Arts Emmy as a Producer/Editor for NBCUniversal’s Jay Leno’s Garage. I was nominated last year as well and won. When I attended the Creative Arts Emmy’s this year a woman from Jalisco, Mexico took home an Emmy for Best Wardrobe work, I believe it was for Game of Thrones. She gave her acceptance speech in Spanish and dedicated her award to Jalisco, Mexico. Did anyone from the trades or Latino Hollywood trades celebrate her? Did anyone from the Latino trades give a quick congrats to my nom this year, not to mention my win last year? No. Why? Why can we not congratulate and celebrate those of us who are nominated and those of us who won instead of saying, “let’s boycott the Emmy’s because there isn’t enough.” Why are we putting energy into boycotting the Emmy’s instead of taking that energy and celebrating our Emmy nominated and winning Latino brother and sisters?
My fellow talented Latino’s, let me tell you something. There is enough both in front and behind the camera. We are just not looking hard enough. If it’s not televised…SO what! Then we should televise it on our own. We need to get out there and put those who are nominated and winning awards like an Emmy in the spotlight. If they (Hollywood) are not doing, it then we should do it ourselves. We cannot wait on Hollywood to do the publicity and coverage. We need to do it ourselves.
Boycotting the Emmy’s this weekend sends the wrong message. It says two things:
We don’t appreciate the talent and hard work of those Latinos that are nominated.
We are not in touch with our very own Latino talent that is working and getting nominated because obviously the Academy is, or else they wouldn’t nominate those Latinos who were nominated both in front and behind the camera.
I cannot tell you how proud I am of my fellow Emmy nominees this year, but I am even more ecstatic and proud of the many Latino faces that are nominated for an Emmy this year. We may not be completely in the spotlight with our nominations…but we are there and in stronger numbers than we have been before, but it is up to us to get the word out. It is up to us to communicate to each other these amazing accomplishments instead of taking unnecessary actions against the telecast this weekend. Take a look at it this way: Latinos are being celebrated with the ALMAS on Friday and we are being celebrated at the Emmy’s on Sunday. That’s pretty amazing in my book!
Boycotting is not the way to approach future nominations. Celebrations and publicity is what is needed to get us, Latinos, into that spotlight that we are seeking. That is something we can control. We have the power of social media. We all know someone in some media outlet who can get us coverage. None is going to toot our horn unless we toot it ourselves.
So let me be the first…TOOT TOOT!
Mi Gente…..Be proud, be grateful, but most importantly be supportive in celebrating our nominees and winners at this year’s ALMA Awards and Emmys by watching and supporting both Telecasts.
Best Regards,
Kico Velarde
Emmy Award-Winning Producer, Editor, and Director
Photos: Courtesy of Kico Velarde
