Some weeks ago I attended an event called #boricuasonline. This was a panel being held at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Julio Ricardo Varela of Latino Rebels and Futuro Media Group was the one who invited me to the event via Facebook. I have worked with “Julito” for a long time and had yet to meet him face to face. This event became a must for me at that point.
Once I joined the event, I noticed that it featured four other well known social media panelists of Puerto Rican descent. George “Urban Jibaro” Torres who I know from blogging at Sofritoforyoursoul.com, Capicu, Sopa, and other Latino related events. Lejuan James, who I know from the online spoofs and vines. Nuria Net who works with Fusion and founded Remezcla.com. Lynn Ponder of WebcityGirls, and last but not least, the aforementioned bad boy, Julito!
Finding the proper entrance at Hunter, and the conference room where the event was being held presented a bit of a challenge, but once there it was all worth it. The place was packed with Latinos, all eager to listen and learn from our amazing panelists. I made some new friends at this event, such as the Laboy sisters, and I saw some familiar faces like Papo Swigitty and author of “War Against All Puerto Ricans” Nelson Denis.
Everyone intently listened as the panelists shared their tips for online success, and how latinos can use social media to improve our position in the United States as well as advance our causes. Social media truly is a game changer on so many levels, it will revolutionize the world.
Of all the many topics covered on that evening, the one that stands out most to me is the lack of Latino representation on the mainstream media. Not to mention how when I last checked, a show about the Bronx in the 70’s, “The Get Down” had yet to cast a Latino on a main role. My younger sister tried out for one, and I saw several other Latinas at the audition, yet none were picked. Go figure, 70’s Bronx with no Latinos. That’s like going for a swim, except you don’t have any water. Julito stated that he gives the mainstream media an F- for their handling of Latino Matters. This reminds me of an article that I penned for Latino Rebels when Jenni Rivera tragically lost her life. The theme of my piece was how mainstream media just doesn’t get it! Cause, well, they don’t get it!
The event was a great success and brought many Puerto Ricans and Latinos together. We have kept the conversation going on twitter by using the hashtag #boricuasonline. Do come join us! Following is a video by our friends from “En la Escena” who provided great coverage of the event. Why just read about it, when you can also watch it? Take a look, I even come out for about 2 seconds towards the end of the video!
Group Image also comes from our friends at En La Escena.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
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