Latest Columns

Mandela's Blind Spot

He was one of the greatest leaders of our time, a champion for human rights and racial equality. The world is a better place because Nelson Mandela lived among us.

But not the whole world!

I can think of at least one small part of the planet where he turned a blind eye to human rights and racial equality, and where his complicity with dictators will forever stain his legacy.

Unfortunately — and disgracefully — when Mandela looked toward my native Cuba, he was blinded by his loyalty to Fidel and Raul Castro.

He never seemed to notice blacks in Cuba are a minority in government and a majority in prison, or that Cuba had freedom fighters and political prisoners — principled martyrs, just like him.

Ever since the South African leader died last week, TV talking heads have been trying to explain Mandela's illogical relationship with the Castro brothers. The professional spinners have even tried to convince us that his blind loyalty was something admirable. Former President Bill Clinton was on CNN last week making excuses for Mandela's unyielding loyalty to those who supported him during his 27-year imprisonment — as if devotion to evil were an honor or asset!

But there is no logical explanation. When Mandela looked at Cuba, he had a blind spot . . . Read more . . .

Obliviously Living
In 'The Land
Of Estevan Gomez'

It happens to all of us – including Latino Americans who should know better. When we think of Spanish conquistadors, we usually are drawn to their exploits in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, seldom paying attention to those who came to the land now known as the United States.

Because their North American accomplishments are generally omitted from American history – only because they happened before the Mayflower – even U.S.-educated Latinos are ignorant about the great achievements of their Spanish ancestors.

Before the Pilgrims, Spanish explorers had celebrated other Thanksgiving ceremonies in North America. They had charted our entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and explored the territories that are now Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Spanish explorers had been here for a whole century before the Mayflower arrived. And on those rare occasions we do recognize that many came north from the Caribbean and Mexico, we forget just how far north they came! We generally think of Florida, the Southwest and California, but should know better, especially Latinos from the Northeast.

After all, even the Northeast of the United States was once known as “La Tierra de Estevan Gomez.” . . . Read more . . .

The Power of Dinero
And Demographics

Only two months ago, this column suggested the pro-immigrant movement was very myopic and planned only for the next battle in Congress instead of who gets sent to Congress on Election Day.

"Where are the pro-immigrant troops lining up to take on the GOP demagogues who spew xenophobia?" I asked. "Where is the effort to make the House of Representatives a little more immigrant-friendly?"

The headline noted that in order "To Reform Immigration," we would have to "Depose the Xenophobes."

Yet today — sooner than I expected — I'm happy to report that many other people have finally come to the same sobering conclusion: If you have a large number of Hispanic constituents and continue to oppose immigration reform, you give us no choice; we will make you pay for it at the ballot box . . . Read more . . .

Carrying the Cuban Family Torch

I had done it before so I thought it wouldn't be so difficult. In delivering funeral eulogies, unfortunately, I've had some practice.

But it was always for a friend who passed, never for one of my relatives.

In my own family funerals, I always deferred the eulogy speech to my brother, Beny, who had a special knack for speaking, and even singing, in public. I knew he could do it much better.

Yet, there I was, standing in Beny's shoes, speaking in church, delivering a family eulogy at a funeral. And I had to find the courage to do it. Of all of us in the Perez family who came from Cuba in the early 1960s, I'm the only one left alive. It was my turn to speak for the "familia."

It was the toughest speech I've ever delivered, as it was Beny's funeral . . . Read more . . .

Hollywood's Hidden
Hispanic Heritage

In 1934, Wallace Beery was Pancho Villa in MGM's "Viva Villa." In 1939, Paul Muni played Benito Juarez in Warner Bros' "Juarez." In 1952, Marlon Brando starred as Emiliano Zapata in FOX's "Viva Zapata." In 1961, Natalie Wood became the Puerto Rican "Maria" in United Artists' "West Side Story."

Do you see a pattern here?

When Paramount made another Pancho Villa movie in 1968, the lead role in "Villa Rides" went to Yul Brynner. When Fox released the movie "Che" in 1969, Omar Sharif played Che Guevara and Jack Palance played Fidel Castro.

Do I need to drop more names?

Was Al Pacino a credible Cuban in "Scarface"? Was George Chakiris a credible Puerto Rican in "West Side Story"? Was Anthony Hopkins a credible Pablo Picasso in "Surviving Picasso"?

Of course not!

Hollywood has a shameful history of giving key Latino roles to non-Latinos. Apparently, they believe credibility can be forsaken when casting Hispanic roles. Read more . . .

Hispanics
or Latinos?

It may seem like an identity crisis, as if we Latinos/Hispanics can’t make up our minds about what to call ourselves.

And it’s true. We can’t.

It started many years ago, when Census Bureau officials determined that they needed a term to lump together all people of Spanish and Latin American origin. They settled on the term “Hispanic,” and a controversy was born. Read more ... 

To Reform Immigration
Depose the Xenophobes

As if the immigration reform coffin needed any more nails, two more House Republicans have dropped out of the bipartisan group of legislators who were trying to drive comprehensive reform through a wall of GOP xenophobia on Capitol Hill.

The original "Group of Eight" is now down to five — four Democrats and one lone Republican. Not coincidentally, the only Republican who remains is the one with a huge Hispanic constituency, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of South Florida.

Also not coincidentally, the first to abandon the group was another Latino, Rep. Raul Labrador, a Republican from Idaho who panders to anti-immigrant extremists . . . Read more . . . 

In the Name
Of Heritage

So what do you do when people mispronounce your name? Do you correct them? If they butcher your identity, do you let it ride? Just to avoid having to educate them?

Foreign-born Americans are constantly pressured to Americanize their names nowadays — just to make it easier for the ears of those who refuse to accept foreign sounds. But if you go along, aren't you hiding your heritage? . . . Read more . . .

Say Hello to Syria and Adios to Immigration Reform

It started with Sept. 11, 2001. Twelve years ago, opponents of immigration reform had a perfect excuse to delay changes that had seemed eminent until that infamous day. And ever since then, whenever those changes come to the forefront again, something happens to redirect our national attention elsewhere.

So for now, say hello to Syria and adios to immigration reform. If you still think Congress will fix our broken immigration laws this year, you truly are a "dreamer." ... Read more ...

When Leaders Divide

They are marching in all the Hispanic parades, having their photos taken with every brown face they can find, waving Latin American flags, trying to speak Spanish, buying time and space on Spanish media and kissing Latino babies! But what are the New York City mayoral candidates actually saying to Latinos?

Very little!

They acknowledge that Latinos will be close to a quarter of the voters in the Sept. 10 primary, and this voting bloc has the potential to "pick the next mayor." But you hear little substance in their rhetoric. You don't see the attention to Latino issues that we have seen in past New York City elections. And you don't see candidates feeling any pressure to deal with those issues.

Don't get me wrong. At least cosmetically, some of the candidates occasionally push the right Latino buttons by superficially mentioning immigration, education, housing, health care, "stop and frisk" police detentions, etc. But there is no depth, nothing substantial, no promises you can trust . . .  Read more . . . 

Let's Build a Timeline
Of Hispanic-American History

So let's assume that you already know that the Spanish conquistadors were here long before the British colonists, that Spanish was spoken in North America before a word of English was uttered, that St. Augustine was established 42 years before Jamestown. But how much do you really know about the first European-American century?

If you have been reading my series on "America's Hidden Hispanic Heritage (hiddenhispanicheritage.com)," you know that American history often fails to recognize everything that happened here before the British arrived. You know that this is the year when this country should be celebrating its 500th birthday, that the first North American thanksgivings and Christmases were celebrated in Spanish and that the great accomplishment of Lewis and Clark actually pail in comparison to the conquistadors who trekked across North America two centuries earlier.

You know why so many American states, cities and landmarks have names in Spanish and why many Southwest Latinos have deeper roots in that area than the United States itself.

But did you know that the first child of Europeans born in present-day United States was a Latino — the son of Spaniards? Did you know that the first American history book was written in Spanish and published in Spain? . . . Read more . . . 

The Discovery
of White Hispanics

We have been in this country longer than most other ethnic groups and races. We are a majority among Latinos. Finding us should not be a problem. We have been here all along! And yet some of our fellow Americans are just beginning to notice us.

We are white and we are Hispanic — and that should not be a problem, either.

Nevertheless, ever since The New York Times described George Zimmerman as a "white Hispanic," some people are having a hard time hiding their ignorance about the U.S. Hispanic population . . . Read more . . .

The New King
Of Intolerance

He has become toxic material in Washington D.C. Even the leaders of his own party are running away from him and strongly condemning the waste that keeps coming out of his mouth. But Iowa Rep. Steve King is undeterred. He has a narcissistic need for attention, and he is determined to get it by bashing on immigrants.

It's not a new phenomenon. In recent history, we've had quite a few poster boys for American xenophobia: Former California Gov. Pete Wilson, former California Rep. Bob Dornan, former Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo and former Arizona Senate President Russell Pierce.

Yet, aside from having been obnoxious demagogues when they were in office, the thing they still have in common is the word "former" preceding their elected titles.

Is King heading in the same direction? Are his constituents getting tired of his embarrassing diatribes? Is there a pattern here?

Not quite.

Unlike the other poster boys who represented states and districts where the Latino vote was significant, King represents the overwhelmingly white and conservative 4th Congressional District in southwest Iowa, where he is now in his sixth term and where minority voters still are a tiny minority.

Apparently, he feels he can afford to be obnoxious ... Read more ... 

Obama Preaches
To the Converted

Everyone knows that immigration reform is stalled in Congress, that House Republicans are the ones who need to be swayed to become a bit more compassionate with undocumented immigrants, and that comprehensive legislation is running out of time and supporters in Washington.

And so what does President Obama do? He preaches to the converted!

Instead of going on the stomp for comprehensive immigration reform with at least some of the passion he displayed when he campaigned for Obamacare, instead of reaching out to the Republicans who could still be swayed, Obama went to the Univision and Telemundo Spanish-language TV networks last week — to pretend that he is actually taking a leadership role on this issue.

He is not!

In the media, some treated the president's new Hispanic offensive as a major development. But it didn't make much sense. Some even reported that Obama was doing it "to increase pressure on House Republicans to pass immigration reform."

Really? Is that how you pressure House Republicans, or is that how you continue to fool Latinos? ... Read more ...

Latinos Are Moving Counterclockwise

For Latinos in this country, the clock is spinning backward. Both Democrats and Republicans rapidly are diluting the civil rights we have gained over the years.

The Republicans do it overtly, by conducting campaigns and introducing measures to harass immigrants, militarize (only) our border with Mexico, restrict the use of the Spanish language and keep us from voting and by behaving in other draconian ways that clearly illustrate their war against Latinos.

The Democrats do it covertly, by pretending to be our defenders while sitting back and doing absolutely nada. Apparently, they don't feel they have to. As long as the Republicans keep scaring Latinos, Democrats feel they can win our vote by default, as they have in recent elections.

In fact, Republican extremism has made Democrats so confident that they feel they can get away with doing even less for Latinos than other Democrats have in the past. You see this in the way many Democrats in Congress are willing to accept border militarization and huge hurdles on the path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. You see it in a White House where Latinos are inexcusably underrepresented — almost invisible ... Read more ...

Snowden Exposes
Our Enemies

He may have done more damage to this country than any other person in recent history. He may have exposed national security secrets that could put Americans at risk. U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden may have helped the terrorists, and we'll never know by how much!

But for those naive Americans who have a hard time identifying our enemies, Snowden has served a good purpose. He is taking a roll call of our enemies, and the response he is getting is "presente."

After betraying his country by leaking documents about U.S. surveillance programs, Snowden's pleas for asylum have been mostly answered by anti-American despots all over Latin America ... Read more ... 

Immigration Reform is DOA

As if immigration reform legislation had not already been considerably diluted when it went through the Senate last week, the House of Representatives is getting ready to dissect it so well that the whole process may turn into an autopsy.

Of course, killing any form of legislation that would consent any kind of "amnesty" to undocumented immigrants is precisely what GOP conservative extremists are seeking.

And that's why members of the GOP majority in the House already are dismissing the 68 to 32 Senate vote for the bill and threatening to come up with their own (obviously much more draconian) legislation ... Read more ...

MORE COLUMNS

My tribute to my brother Beny:

         Carrying the Cuban Family Torch

I had done it before so I thought it wouldn't be so difficult. In delivering funeral eulogies, unfortunately, I've had some practice.

But it was always for a friend who passed, never for one of my relatives.

In my own family funerals, I always deferred the eulogy speech to my brother, Beny, who had a special knack for speaking, and even singing, in public. I knew he could do it much better.

Yet, there I was, standing in Beny's shoes, speaking in church, delivering a family eulogy at a funeral. And I had to find the courage to do it. Of all of us in the Perez family who came from Cuba in the early 1960s, I'm the only one left alive. It was my turn to speak for the "familia."

It was the toughest speech I've ever delivered. It was Beny's funeral . . . Read More . . .

Journalist sees need
to teach Hispanic history

Saturday, September 21, 2013
BY  JOHN PETRICK
STAFF WRITER, THE RECORD
Five hundred years ago, explorer Ponce de León came ashore in America and staked Spain’s claim to the New World. It’s a remarkable milestone, but you’d never know it from the dearth of attention it’s getting, according to nationally syndicated columnist Miguel Perez. Read more ...

Cuéntame Miguel 2013
on Telemundo 47

Part 8 - Sept. 16, 2013
De Blasio vs. Lhota and Bronx Latinos vs. machine winner:

Click here for: More Cuéntame Miguel

A NEW VIDEO PRODUCED BY MY STUDENTS:

Dear friends,
I’m happy to announce that the “Cuéntame Miguel” segment returns to Telemundo 47 for another series of pre-election analysis every Monday night at 11 p.m. from Aug. 5 to Nov. 4. This summer, we’ll be looking more at local elections – especially the NYC race for mayor. I’ll be discussing the issues in the race, especially those affecting Latinos, with my friend and colleague Jorge Ramos. I hope you can watch us and then engage in a dialogue with us on the Telemundo 47 Facebook page. 

Discussing immigration reform on Telemundo 47   7-18-13 

Dear friends,

In order to begin a dialogue with the readers and followers of my series of articles (and my web site) on America's Hidden Hispanic Heritage, I've launched a new Facebook page to serve as the blog for HiddenHispanicHeritage.com.
The new FB page is: http://www.facebook.com/HiddenHispanicHeritage

My hope is that this page will become a public forum for all of us who believe the time has come to re-conquest American history, so that the contributions of our Hispanic ancestors are properly recognized.
My hope is that this page will become a public forum for all of us who believe the time has come to re-conquest American history, so that the contributions of our Hispanic ancestors are properly recognized.

Although my series already is up to 31 parts, I hope to see your suggestions for the numerous parts that still need to be written, your comments on new articles as they are published and your participation on a new section that will soon be part of HiddenHispanicHeritage.com: An Online Hispanic History Timeline!

I'm hoping to involve my readers in building the mother of all history timelines - recognizing the many moments in American history when Latinos have made huge contributions to North American society, starting from April 2, 1513, when Juan Ponce de Leon discovered and named "La Florida."

Of course, this FB page also will give me an opportunity to share with you my plans for continuing to develop my series. I'll tell you where I plan to go and who I'm planning to interview in my continuing quest to reconnect Americans with their Hispanic roots.

I hope you join my cause by "liking" this page: http://www.facebook.com/HiddenHispanicHeritage
And then I hope you get your friends to like OUR cause.
Mil gracias!
Miguel Pérez
One of the fringe benefits of being a journalist
is that sometimes you rub shoulders with greatness!
To watch videos, click on these photos:
Picture
Ruben Blades
Picture
Miriam Colon
Picture
Pele
Picture
Tito Puente and Miriam Colon
Picture
Machito
Picture
Mario Vargas Llosa
When I co-hosted "Tiempo" with Anna Carbonell on WABC-NYC in 1983, I had the privilege to interview:
() The great Cuban bandleader Machito, shortly after he won the Grammy for Latin Music at the age of 74.
() Pele, the greatest soccer player of all time. () Tito Puente, the King of Latin Music. () Miriam Colon, the Queen of the NY Hispanic Theatre. () Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa. () Salsa Superstar Ruben Blades.
ON TELEVISION
MY COLLEAGUES
CELEBRITIES
ON ASSIGNMENT
MY STUDENTS

ON THE RADIO

IN THE NEWS:

Cuban journalist vows to reconnect Americans with their Hispanic roots
                      ---------------------------------------------
Lehman College professor digs
into country’s Hispanic roots
                      ---------------------------------------------
Lehman Professor Uncovers
America’s Hidden Hispanic Heritage
                       ----------------------------------------------
Periodista crea una campaña para que se conozca la verdadera historia de EE.UU.

Published in:  FOXMUNDO    MSN LATINO    YAHOO NOTICIAS
INFORMATIVOCR      AGENCIA EFE      IMPACTOUSA

ON THE RADIO:


Discussing America's Hidden Hispanic Heritage (HiddenHispanicHeritage.com) on Radio WADO with my friend and former colleague Ino Gomez, on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012.


To Listen, Click here.
Picture
Ten years after I hosted "Sin Censura" on Radio WADO, this was a great reunion with my former colleagues. L-R: Jaime Cervantes, Miguel Perez, Ino Gomez and Maximo Perez Jimenez.

Election analysis on Telemundo 47, NYC
Nov. 7 - 6 p.m.                          Nov. 7 11 p.m.
To see this entire series of commetaries, CLICK HERE.

My New Web Site:

Dear friends,
     As many of you know, my syndicated column occasionally takes a break from current events and becomes one more chapter of “America’s Hidden Hispanic Heritage,” a history series I’ve been writing since 2007.
     This on-going series, now up to 27 parts, has become my greatest passion. And today I’m launching of a new web site – HiddenHispanicHeritage.com 
(http://www.hiddenhispanicheritage.com/) – where I can put my passion on display.
     You may have read some of these columns when they were distributed by the Creators Syndicate and published in web sites and newspapers, but you didn't see them as you will now, alongside the many photographs I've taken during my travels to many historic landmarks.
     If you liked the video lecture I posted on FB a few days ago, I’m sure you’ll also like this web site, which includes that video and much more.
     My pilgrimage in search for our hidden Hispanic heritage has turned into "a bucket list of places, ideas and historical evidence to help reconnect Americans with their Hispanic roots." I hope you enjoy it and send me some feedback in the site’s blog.
     But most importantly, PLEASE, help me disseminate this information by sharing this web site with your friends. I’m willing to share my passion!
     Mil gracias!
  Miguel Pérez - HiddenHispanicHeritage.com (http://www.hiddenhispanicheritage.com/)
IN THE NEWS:

In the Presidential Debate,
Immigration Stayed in the Shadows

GOP Hopefuls Losing Ground 
To Obama Among Latinos, Poll Says

Spanish-Language News Channel Turns to JCT Chair

ON THE RADIO:

Miguel Perez discussing Mitt Romney’s Immigration Stance -- This morning, June 22, 2012 on The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC

COLUMNS BY TOPICS (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
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Welcome to my site!

    It replaces the previous version of MiguelPerez.com. Although much of the content has been transferred from one program to the other, many pages on this new site still are under construction -- especially since most now are being presented in a completely new design and layout.
    I would love to hear what you think of the new look of MiguelPerez.com. Please click around this site and post your comments in (click:) our new blog!
Check out my nationally syndicated column and then call or write the editor of your local newspaper. Tell him/her you want to see the Miguel Perez column (from the Creators Syndicate) in your newspaper!!!