Thread by @lmechegaray

1/ I purposely didn’t comment on the “Latino temperament” thing yesterday because if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this site, it’s that the worst type of discourse usually occurs immediately after something happens, followed by attacks and noise instead of a chance to learn.

2/ Don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% guilty of that, so I’m trying to do better & this situation called for it. I also teach a diverse range of journalism students every year & the one thing I always try and pass on, when it comes to conversations on social, is PRODUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT.

3/ First off. Jim Beglin and I have become friends on this site and aside from his public apology we have talked. I am not going to get into the actual conversation but I can tell you he feels terrible and most importantly, he is here willing to LEARN and that to me is the key.

4/ What was said was ignorant and obviously xenophobic/racist but I also believe in growth, cause NONE OF US are perfect (but some love to pretend we are on this site) and I believe this is a GREAT chance to educate.

So let’s learn together:

5/ The Latino/x/a/Afro-Latino/x/a audience in this country is a powerful, growing star. Reaching 70-80m in the U.S. We are young (nearly 50% are 18 or younger) and consume English content BUT Spanish is still a very present part of daily life. As we have also learned, we are

6/ not monolithic so best way to engage and understand us is through culture. In terms of digital and video consumption, engagement with ads, watching movies, buying sh—-, we rule the land meaning when you create content, you want it to appeal to us.

7/ On social media, we are the biggest influencers because our connections/friends/followers on any given platform is far more diverse than any other group. So we have a chance at influencing a wider set of people.

In sports, as ma man @MaxBretosSports said, la gente has a

8/ unique opportunity ⚽️ in this country cause the facts don’t lie. 🇲🇽 is the most popular ⚽️ team in the U.S, Liga MX is the most watched league, the biggest number of Barcelona U.S. fans are Latino, Premier League audience here is very very close.

Hay más gente en los Estados

9/ Unidos que habla español que en España and networks and the thread of generational representation is key within content and sports cause no matter what, culture rules the land.

10/ So I think it’s great we call ignorance when we see it but then what? What are YOU trying to learn? What are YOU trying to improve? Sure, the phrase was awful but what’s worse is actually not bothering to learn about our people on the daily. So let’s all do that together.

11/ P.S Jim and I are trying to figure out when he can come on QG. Stay tuned.

12/ Ok, one more thing. Latino temperament ES NADA compared to angry-white-dude-not-gonna-wear-my mask-cause-liberty-and-freedom-blah-blah-temperament lol [this lady taping is my absolute hero lol]

https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1389753087372505089