Thread by @BermudezWrites

It’s a special day at the @latimes. Nearly 80 Latino staffers sent a letter to our bosses demanding that our newspaper truly reflect our community, which is half Latino. We’ve formed the @LATLatinoCaucus to speak up and push for change. To read: latguild.com/news/2020/7/21… #SomosLAT

Many @latimes Latino journalists who came before us fought hard for representation. This letter marks the largest, most significant public action taken by Latino staffers since the @latimes was established 139 years ago. Without Latinos, the @latimes cannot succeed. #SomosLAT

We’re grateful to the @latblackcaucus for inspiring this movement. We hope our owner and managers will listen with intent and act, in good faith, to address the critical demands of Latino and Black journalists. #SomosLAT @DrPatSoonShiong @NPearlstine @kyoshino @LATimeskraft

The @latimes publishes powerful stories about communities of color, but across nearly every section of our newsroom, the absence of Latinos is felt, especially in our leadership. Many sections have 0 or 1 Latino journalist. It’s been this way, or worse, for decades. #SomosLAT

Did you know that in its 139-year history the @latimes has only had 3 Latinos on its Masthead even though nearly 1 out of 2 Angelenos is Latino? The @LATLatinoCaucus demands Latinos be promoted to reflect our community's demographics. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know that out of 109 @latimes editors and managers, only 12 are Latino, despite L.A. County having nearly 5 million Latinos? Representation starts from the top. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that our leadership reflect our community. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know the @latimes has 0 Latino permanent staffers on its 2020 campaign team or D.C. bureau even though Latinos are a key voting bloc? The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that Latinos be hired to report on issues pivotal to our state & nation. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know the @latimes has 0 Latino reporters on its investigations team despite L.A. being nearly 50% Latino? The @LATLatinoCaucus demands Latino representation in all LAT sections, particularly those tasked with protecting the vulnerable. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know that for a decade, the @latimes has had 0 Latino staff writers based in Latin America or on any other country? L.A. is a global city. Our relationship to Latin America is critical.The @LATLatinoCaucus demands change. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know that 40% of LA County residents speak Spanish at home? The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that the @latimes elevate our Spanish coverage and nurture the voices of our @latimesespanol staff. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know in nearly a decade, the @latimes has hosted more than 250 fellows & interns, but only 10 spots have gone to Cal State students? 43% of Cal State students are Latino. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that the @latimes invest in local Latino journalism students. #SomosLAT

L.A. is nearly 50% Latino. California is nearly 40% Latino. Our Opinion & Editorial writers make crucial calls on top issues. But the @latimes Op-Ed section includes only one Latino. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands change. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

The @latimes Food Section has only 1 Latina/o despite the L.A. food scene being largely Latino. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that our staff and coverage fairly reflect the community’s cuisine & traditions. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Journalists at Times Community News, a division of the @latimes, work hard to provide in-depth local coverage to communities in Southern California. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that the @latimes elevate and nurture the voices of TCN journalists. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Did you know that out of 109 @latimes editors and managers, only 12 are Latino, despite L.A. County having nearly 5 million Latinos? Representation starts from the top. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands that our leadership reflect our community. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

During the @latimes recent historic hiring spree of 168 people, only 29 Latinos were brought into the company. We are only 13 percent of the newsroom despite L.A. being nearly 50% Latino. The @LATLatinoCaucus demands change. #SomosLAT latguild.com/news/2020/7/21…

Nearly 80 @latimes Latino staffers sent this letter to our bosses. We demand a newspaper that reflects our community in staffing & coverage.

L.A. is half Latino
@latimes is 13% Latino

Please consider reading our letter detailing 14 demands.latguild.com/news/2020/7/21… #SomosLAT

Latino @latimes journalists have won Pulitzers. It's a newspaper that continues to publish numerous stories by Latinos that resonate locally & nationally. But our paper also continues to fail in staffing & coverage and has neglected to serve what should be its largest audience.

Here's a quick summary of our @LATLatinoCaucus demands. #SomosLAT

1) We stand in solidarity with the @LATBlackCaucus and want continued commitment from our bosses to address their demands.

Our efforts were inspired by our Black colleagues & we're grateful for their support.

2) Stop treating Latinos as a minority group. The @latimes must center our stories — online, in images, podcasts and L.A. Times Studio projects.

3) We ask for a pledge that you hire enough Latino journalists to, at a minimum, meet the county’s demographics halfway within 5 yrs

4) Formally apologize for fomenting episodes of anti-Latino hysteria in California and the U.S.

5) Correct pay disparities for Latinos (and other journalists of color and women) whose salaries remain glaringly low compared to white counterparts.

6) Guarantee that the @LATLatinoCaucus, in addition to Black journalists and other journalists of color, are kept informed about the creation of new jobs, search for candidates, vetting of finalists.

7) Create a path for Latinos on staff to grow into influential roles.

8) Establish a robust pipeline for Latino talent. We request that you build a database of Latinos recommended by staff; reach out, track their careers.

9) Guarantee in the next 3 yrs, you will increase outreach & hiring from public universities w/ large Latino student bodies.

10) Provide @latimesespanol the resources it needs to represent Southern California’s vast Spanish-speaking market

11) Institute employee reviews for management, hold managers accountable for their track records of recruiting and retaining Black, Latino, other JOC

12) End the practice of relying on Spanish speaking journalists as translators without providing credit, additional pay.

13) Commit to adding more publicists, consultants, marketing specialists and salespeople who have an intimate sense of L.A.'s diverse Latino market.

14) Invest in having the @latimes present in Latino L.A. Host food, music, sports and cultural events catering to Latino audiences. Highlight Latino Times writers, invite them to create conversations, town halls across Southern California.