LOS ANGELES, CA – The bicentennial of Latino newspapers in the U.S. will be honored by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication with a new exhibit, film preview and panel discussing the newspapers’ Voices for Justice today in the Annenberg Auditorium at 7 p.m.
The evening features a preview of the documentary Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the U.S., the opening of a month-long Annenberg exhibit of Latino newspapers and the stories they reported, and a panel of experts discussing the growing influence of U.S. Latinos and their media.
On the program hosted by Annenberg Dean Ernest J. Wilson III are Mónica Lozano, publisher and CEO of La Opinión and a USC Trustee; Nicolás Kanellos, University of Houston professor, author of Hispanic Periodicals in the United States and founder of Arte Publico Press; and Raymond Telles, Berkeley documentary filmmaker and winner of three Emmys.
“The bicentennial of Latino newspapers gives us an opportunity to dig into journalism’s ‘forgotten pages’ to share their headlines, news and commentaries since 1808,” said Félix F. Gutiérrez, professor of journalism, communication and American studies and ethnicity, who will moderate the program. Gutiérrez teaches a class on Latino news media in the U.S. at USC.
The bilingual 24-panel exhibit of photographs, pictures, headlines and articles will be on display through October 30 on the second floor of Annenberg’s East Lobby. The Annenberg building is open weekdays and evenings.
The exhibit shows how 19th century U.S. Latino newspapers advocated Latin American independence, adapted to the U.S. conquest of the Southwest after 1848, acquainted newcomers with U.S. ways through the 20th century, served as voices for new leaders and advocates in the mid-20th century and now use new technologies to reach larger audiences.
“This exhibit and film dispel any illusion that Latinos in the United States have been a sleeping giant,” said Gutiérrez. “It shows how literate and active people have envisioned a life for themselves in the U.S. and used First Amendment freedoms to make it happen for more than 200 years.”
If you would like to attend, please rsvp here:
http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/event/869478