Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.latimes.misc From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Los Angeles Has a Diverse 'Cultural Elite' Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 08:59:51 EST Message-ID: HEADLINE: Los Angeles Has a Diverse 'Cultural Elite' Publication Date: Saturday November 14, 1992 BYLINE: I have just finished reading "At Last, 'Cultural Elite' Has a Reason to Rejoice" (Nov. 5), written by Robert W. Welkos and listing several other staffers as contributors. I find it absolutely appalling that among all the people quoted, not a single one of them was Latino or Latina. Couldn't any one of these "professional" journalists working in a city that is well over 40% Latino find one of us to talk to? We, too, are artists, producers, directors and politicians. Do you need some names? Josephine Ramirez, a producer at the Mark Taper Forum! Jose Luis Valenzuela, a theater director with the Latino Theatre Lab! Jose Cruz Gonzalez, director of the Hispanic Playwrights Project at South Coast Repertory! Rosa Maria Marquez, producer with the Inner City Cultural Center! Any members of the comedy groups Latins Anonymous, Culture Clash or Chicano Secret Service! Artists Patssi Valdez, Diane Gamboa, Gronk or George Yepez! Actors Evelina Fernandez, Edward James Olmos, Robert Beltran, Julie Carmen, Carmen Zapata! And only two women quoted? And, apparently, only one African-American quoted? And no Asian-Americans or American Indians? Los Angeles has the most diverse ethnic population in the country. By ignoring certain groups, you have shown a lack of sensitivity, and I feel that is quite insulting. MARTIN HERNANDEZ Secretary Echo Park/Central City Chapter Mexican-American Political Assn. This article is copyright 1992 The Los Angeles Times Home Edition. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM