Latino USA

We learn about Latinos in elections in California, Arizona, and Rhode Island (and their opponents), why Latinos turn out to vote at a low rate, and how one undocumented person is registering voters. We also hear from Cristela, the first Latina with her own primetime sitcom, and an illustrator tells us about the importance of kids seeing themselves in children’s books. 

We take you to literal and metaphorical islands, like an often ignored situation in the Dominican Republic that’s left thousands of people stateless. We also examine their sexual education system, which is tied to religion. In Cuba, organic farms are changing local economies. We visit Hawaii to learn how Latinos—the fastest-growing ethnic group in the state—fit in. A Latino moves to North Dakota, an island of economic development. Peace Corps volunteers learn to overcome cultural isolation. And a journalist visits Cuba and learns to forgive her father.   

This week Latino USA examines fear, from facing it, to what we learn from it. We hear about people stopped by border patrol who cite the fifth amendment, a man deported to a home he never knew, and a fight for justice after a loved one is gunned down by cops. We learn about the Mexican folk saint some whites are worshipping, and counties where others are fleeing multiculturalism. Plus the story of a young man who sat in solitary confinement without a trial, a new movie inspired by the Day of the Dead, and why even a cloud as gloomy as cancer can have a silver lining.    

What does it mean to serve? Or to lack services? Latino USA takes a look this week at the situation of two groups of vets: those in Puerto Rico and in Guam. We learn what lack of services means for Latino kids and how they’re diagnosed with Autism. A forensic scientist serves the families of dead migrants—by identifying their bodies. Honduran teen migrants in the Bronx bond over soccer while hoping for residency or citizenship. And we hear from past and future servicemembers, from Boriqueneers to a DACA recipient who intends to join the military. 

We redefine some terms for you in our episode on language. We also hear about the “word gap,” why children born into poverty learn fewer words, and what’s being done to combat the gap. Spoken word artist Quique Aviles (KEE-kay ah-vee-LESS) takes us on a gentrification terminology tour. We dissect political doublespeak and talk about President Obama’s lack of immigration action.  We learn about dirty words in Spanish, and we learn how one composer speaks the language of music on TV shows. 

What is it to be a good ally? We ask black leaders from Miami, trying to prevent another situation like Ferguson. Former inmates return home to prevent violence. A rabbi and Latino food workers unite to ensure they’re well treated. Boston neighbors fight rising rents. We hear how the U.S. tries to create allies through texting programs in Cuba. Our white producers talk about working in a Latino newsroom. We revisit the Colorado floods, one year later. And one woman brings together two of the most important influences in her life: Mexican culture and…Star Trek. 

This week Latino USA takes a look at the child refugee crisis story that took the media by storm early this summer. We ask: How did this happen? We break down some Central American history. An ex-gang member from El Salvador tells us his story. Guatemalan filmmaker Luis Argueta shares testimonials revealing the reality in Guatemala. We learn about coyotes, the groups that smuggle the minors. And we examine how the media has shaped this story.

This week we find out what it means to be onstage and on the spot. We meet an opera singer who loves telenovelas, a comedian who inspires young Latinos. We hear the drum beats of Puerto Rican Bomba music, learn about a new reality show starring undocumented kids. We put pressure on the new president and CEO of NPR. We shine a spotlight on Tejanos, and a tech journalist tells us what it means to “fail fast.” And Maria Hinojosa interviews the legendary Sheila E and we find out what makes her so cool.

Latino USA looks back at some of our best bits from the past year. First, we ask our staff: are you The Worst Latino? We hear from the Latina “Voice of God,” learn about the invention of Hispanics as a census category, talk about flirty racism (yes, it’s a thing), and discuss how stock photos might be getting women’s images wrong. We learn about Zorro and his impact as the first American superhero. And writer Michele Carlo tells one of the funniest stories we’ve ever aired. 

 This week, Latino USA is on the move with guest host Raquel Cepeda. We hear stories of La Bestia, the train which takes Central American migrants through Mexico to the US. We hear about a Salvadoran woman’s story, from a gay migrant, and about those trying to take alternate modes of transport. And we hear about one man who massages the feet of migrants as they journey north. Then: some background on the World Cup, traveling while brown, and doing Zumba for community. And finally, the World War II internment story you might have missed. 

This week: Nebraska. A state heavily impacted by a growing Latino population. We start with a two-part special report on Fremont, where a one of a kind anti-immigration housing ordinance is causing strife among neighbors. We look at the role of immigrant workers on the Nebraska economy, and debut our By the Numbers segment with award-winning journalist Guy Garcia. We meet teens legally allowed to be in the US but blocked from driving by the state, and meet two great heartland characters: an Irish immigrant teaching English to new Latino arrivals and a Nebraska-born Chicano organizer.  

As the school year winds down, we hand out some grades on our report card show. From the failure of schools to maintain integration, to the effort shown to allow undocumented students in-state tuition. Then, we look at the price paid by one Texas school for trying to graduate former dropouts. First-generation college students graduate. We grade the media for trying to deal with stats correctly. And we hear how TV’s done this year in terms of diverse programs. Finally, producer Daisy Rosario tells Bill Cosby about what he’s done to change her mother’s life.

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