Latest Columns

TV News Wears
Horse Blinders

We have more TV channels and more 24-hour "news stations" than ever before. We can cover news events and deliver reports instantly from the farthest corners of the world. Our TV reporters are daring enough to go into war zones and violent demonstrations. But when it comes to Latin America, we act as if it's not even there.

There is hardly an "international crisis" that we miss, especially in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. If people are getting killed, we have cameras there to show it. But when those who are dying are our own hemispheric neighbors — when it's happening in our own backyard — the images are hard to find on American television.

In fact, if you don't read a newspaper or search the Internet, and you don't follow Spanish-language media, you probably don't know that 18 people have been killed, that 260 have been injured, and more than 800 have been arrested in student clashes with government forces in Venezuela over the past couple of weeks.

When it looks at the world, our TV news wears horse blinders . . . Read more . . . 

Somewhere
Between
Extremes

On one extreme, I have some Cuban-American friends who are sooo conservative that they sound like reruns of FOX News. They are so anti-communist and feel so betrayed by Democrats that they behave as if they had sold their souls to the Republican Party, even if all they get from the GOP is cheap lip service. They fled Cuba to avoid being "indoctrinated" by the left and ended up being "programmed" by the right!

But on the other extreme, I have some Latino friends who are sooo leftist that they distribute propaganda from communist "news" agencies. They live in the United States, and yet they feel resentment for this country and see the CIA even in their soup. They enjoy our precious civil liberties — some even claim to be civil rights activists — and yet they blindly support socialist regimes that deny those liberties to their people.

Amazingly, while I think I stand somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, the extremists don't agree. They all think I'm on the other side! Regardless of how much I take swings in both directions, they all think I'm the enemy. That's the way it is with extremists; you may agree with them on most issues, but if you disagree on any of their obsessions, you become the enemy . . . Read more . . .

Say Adios to Real Immigration Reform

I never thought I would say this, but I'm glad immigration reform is dead for this year. Don't get me wrong: Comprehensive, humane and logical immigration reform — with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants — is long overdue. But the legislation we were getting this year would have been a farce.

Republicans were about to create a permanent underclass of American residents, and the typically outmaneuvered Democrats — just to be able to say they did something — were about to cave in and let them do it.

Congress was getting ready to allow most undocumented immigrants to stay here legally but without ever enjoying the full rights of citizenship, and even President Barack "Si Se Puede" Obama was getting ready to let that happen. . . Read more . . .

Super Bowl Coke Commercial
Draws Out Ugly Americans

We are strong, unique and beautiful because of our diversity. We have a long history as a multilingual country — "a nation of immigrants." Many of our states, cities and major American landmarks are named in foreign languages. Our government has published documents in various languages since the time of the Continental Congress.

Long before a word of English was spoken in North America, books were already being written here in Spanish.

And yet, a Coca-Cola commercial airing during Sunday's Super Bowl, exquisitely depicting an "America the Beautiful" in multiethnic images and several languages, has drawn out the ugly Americans. The commercial featured Americans of different races and ethnicities enjoying the beauty of our country while "America the Beautiful" was sung in the background in eight different languages.

But on social media, promoters of ignorance, xenophobes and right-wing extremists are throwing tantrums and spewing venom that only serves to illustrate the only part of "America the Beautiful" that remains ugly — even in the 21st century . . . Read more . . . 

Gay Marriage's Hidden American History Started
in Spanish

The word, as originally written in Spanish, was "diablura," which has been translated to English in at least two ways: "wicked" or "devilish." But it was the way Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca described an issue that is very contentious in society today: same-sex marriage.

Perhaps he was being a bit judgmental. But what he said is not as important as when he said it. His observations were made almost 500 years ago. Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish conquistador, and he was describing gay marriages among Native Americans.

"During the time I spent with these people I saw one devilish thing, and that was a man married to another man," Cabeza de Vaca wrote in his 1542 book, "La Relación" ("The Account"). "These are impotent, effeminate men and they go about covered like women and they perform the tasks of women, and they shoot with a bow, and they carry very great loads."

Long before the British colonists arrived, Cabeza de Vaca trekked across North America — from present-day Florida to Arizona — and same-sex marriage was just one of the many fascinating images he gave to a 16th-century Europe hungry for knowledge about the lives of the natives of the New World . . . Read more . . .

Hispanics in Denial
Should Be Infamous

So say the name your parents gave you is clearly a loser in Hollywood, or say you want to be a rock star and you decide you need a stage name.

To succeed in America in the 21st century, do you also need to Anglicize your name and hide your heritage?

Very few people know that a half-Puerto Rican pop singer named Peter Hernandez is going all the way up to the pinnacle of American entertainment — the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 2 — but that's because he is going as Bruno Mars, the stage name he chose to "avoid being stereotyped" as a Latin music singer.

The history of American entertainment and sports is filled with famous people who purposely hid their ethnicities back in the days when that was the only way they could get jobs. Their transformations, to beat discrimination, were totally understandable.

But hiding your heritage nowadays — at a time when so many Latino surnames have conquered Hollywood, sports and the entertainment industry — is not only unnecessary but disgraceful . . . Read more . . .

Immigration Reform
Could Be a Nightmare

The pundits are already telling us that 2014 is most definitely the year for comprehensive immigration reform, as if they had not said the same thing about 2013, and a few of the years preceding.

Are we to believe that legislation Congress has been unable to pass in recent years will somehow jump over all of its hurdles in a year of midterm elections — at a time when many conservative politicians will be seeking office in gerrymandered districts where bashing on immigrants is politically expedient?

Are we to believe that House Speaker John Boehner, after demonstrating a trace of courage by taking on the conservative extremists in his party over the federal budget, would now find the cojones to defend comprehensive immigration reform and risk sparking a divisive feud within the Republican Party?

In other words, are to believe in dreams and fairy tales?

Mark my words: If we get immigration reform before the midterm elections, it will not be comprehensive. Read more . . .

Marking America's Birthplace

The dream of marking the spot where Juan Ponce de Leon actually landed — after discovering and naming Florida 500 years ago — finally was realized Saturday as more than 100 people gathered in Melbourne Beach, Fla., for the unveiling of an impressive 10-foot, bronze statue of the Spanish conquistador holding a cross and facing the Atlantic Ocean.

The statue officially marks Melbourne Beach's claim that de Leon first landed there instead of St. Augustine some 125 miles north, where it was long believed the first landing took place.

It took many years of work and sacrifice by a small group of very passionate history buffs, but they were able to prove that distorted history could be corrected and made relevant once again.

They marked the site where Florida began and this country was born, and they created a huge source of pride for Latinos!  Read more . . .

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Shaking Hands
With a Tyrant

So there I was in the White House about to meet the president of the Untied States, and I had to think of something to start up a conversation. I would have just a couple of minutes to stand next to George H. W. Bush, because it was only a photo opportunity with him and Barbara.

As I stood in line to greet them, I noticed the others before me were simply sharing nervous "hellos" with the first couple and posing for a quick photo.

"I'll have very little time," I told myself. "I'll have to talk even while the photo is being taken."

To keep the line moving swiftly, the White House photographer was reminding everyone they would receive copies in the mail. But I wasn't worried about the photo. I kept searching for a way to engage the president in a conversation. The people in line behind me would have to wait!

It was June 14, 1992 and Bush had just returned from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where, one day earlier, a news photographer had captured him standing close to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. I decided the photo would be my icebreaker . . . Read more . . . 

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 . . .

MORE COLUMNS

A new multimedia presentation to promote
My Hispanic-American History Timeline:

Video Excerpts of Professor Miguel Perez's
Lecture On 'America's Hidden Hispanic Heritage' 

Click: WATCH VIDEO

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:

Ruben Blades

Miriam Colon

Pele

Tito Puente and Miriam Colon

Machito

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

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)

ARIZONA
BUSH
CENSUS
COLOMBIA
CUBA

HERITAGE
HONDURAS
IMMIGRATION
LA LEFT
MCCAIN

MEXICO
NICARAGUAGA
OBAMA
PERSONAL
POLITICS

PUERTO RICO
RACISM
SOTOMAYOR
VENEZUELA

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!

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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!!!