Ken Burns: New 14 Hour World War Two Documentary Excludes Latinos
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) announced it is airing the new Ken Burns documentary series, THE WAR, in September 2007. The seven-part documentary series, directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of so-called ordinary men and women who get caught up in the greatest cataclysm in human history. It is a 14 hour documentary.
The documentary was previewed November 16 – 19, 2006 at the International Conference on World War II at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Associate Professor, School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin contacted me January 26th. Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez is the Director of the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project. She became aware of the project, last year through a staff member, Raquel Garza, who attended the New Orleans preview. Raquel Garza spoke to a Burns producer in New Orleans and was told that no Latinos were included.
Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez received information from Ken Burns staff. She shared the following information, which by omission seem to imply that Latinos are not included in the 14-hour documentary of World War II.
1) The film was not intended to be structured around any ethnic group; however, both the Japanese Americans, and African Americans, will be identified for their experiences.
2) The film focuses on four towns and people in those towns -- Absolutely no criteria was suggested for the selection of these four areas: Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California, and Luverne, Minnesota.
3) Although about 40 plus individuals were interviewed, a much smaller group dominate the film.
4) The criteria for selection of people to interview was quite unclear. The explanation was that people were selected based on their stories, how they were on camera, their materials, and many other reasons.
I appreciate that the racism of WW II directed at the African-American and Japanese will be exposed. However, Mexican-Americans and other Latinos were also targets of racism.
This documentary will honor the heroism of all, but not the Hispanic contributions.
I am appalled, flabbergasted, almost speechless . at a time when the understanding of the contributions of Latinos to the United States would strengthen our nation, at a time when 50% of Latinos federally employed are in defense positions, at a time when in some areas 50% of those under 25 are Latinos . . . . it shocks me to realize that our leaders still do not get it.
If only the negative Latino visibility (drugs, gangs, drop-out rates) is given, that is the public perception. The multi-million dollar funding for this project was approved, with no apparent accountability to the nation for shaping a future of inclusion.
Latinos should have been included as part of the whole effort, because we were. I lived in East L.A. during the war. My two uncles served in WW II, one in the Army-Air Force and the other in the Marines. I remember the internment of the Japanese, but I also remember the increasing appearance of gold stars in the windows of the homes of Latino families.
Exclusion of Latinos makes this documentary a lie. I can not express it in any other way; however, Abraham Lincoln did. He said "History is not history—unless it’s true."
Anne Harrington is the national outreach coordinator at WETA, the PBS station that is handling this documentary, AHarrington@weta.com
If you have any means, any connection by which to correct this omission . . this is the time to do it. The U.S. Latino & Latina World War II Oral History Project in Texas is one of the many resources available immediately for Latino inclusion.
Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez is planning a trip to Washington, D.C. to discuss how the neglect of this project can be rectified, remedied, corrected. Please contact her directly if you are in a position to assist by attending a meeting with PBS headquarters in D.C..
Please, make your voice heard. . so your grandchildren and great grandchildren will understand that our parents and grandparents took part in THE WAR.
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Journalism
1 University Station A1000
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas 78712-0113
The documentary was previewed November 16 – 19, 2006 at the International Conference on World War II at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Associate Professor, School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin contacted me January 26th. Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez is the Director of the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project. She became aware of the project, last year through a staff member, Raquel Garza, who attended the New Orleans preview. Raquel Garza spoke to a Burns producer in New Orleans and was told that no Latinos were included.
Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez received information from Ken Burns staff. She shared the following information, which by omission seem to imply that Latinos are not included in the 14-hour documentary of World War II.
1) The film was not intended to be structured around any ethnic group; however, both the Japanese Americans, and African Americans, will be identified for their experiences.
2) The film focuses on four towns and people in those towns -- Absolutely no criteria was suggested for the selection of these four areas: Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California, and Luverne, Minnesota.
3) Although about 40 plus individuals were interviewed, a much smaller group dominate the film.
4) The criteria for selection of people to interview was quite unclear. The explanation was that people were selected based on their stories, how they were on camera, their materials, and many other reasons.
I appreciate that the racism of WW II directed at the African-American and Japanese will be exposed. However, Mexican-Americans and other Latinos were also targets of racism.
This documentary will honor the heroism of all, but not the Hispanic contributions.
I am appalled, flabbergasted, almost speechless . at a time when the understanding of the contributions of Latinos to the United States would strengthen our nation, at a time when 50% of Latinos federally employed are in defense positions, at a time when in some areas 50% of those under 25 are Latinos . . . . it shocks me to realize that our leaders still do not get it.
If only the negative Latino visibility (drugs, gangs, drop-out rates) is given, that is the public perception. The multi-million dollar funding for this project was approved, with no apparent accountability to the nation for shaping a future of inclusion.
Latinos should have been included as part of the whole effort, because we were. I lived in East L.A. during the war. My two uncles served in WW II, one in the Army-Air Force and the other in the Marines. I remember the internment of the Japanese, but I also remember the increasing appearance of gold stars in the windows of the homes of Latino families.
Exclusion of Latinos makes this documentary a lie. I can not express it in any other way; however, Abraham Lincoln did. He said "History is not history—unless it’s true."
Anne Harrington is the national outreach coordinator at WETA, the PBS station that is handling this documentary, AHarrington@weta.com
If you have any means, any connection by which to correct this omission . . this is the time to do it. The U.S. Latino & Latina World War II Oral History Project in Texas is one of the many resources available immediately for Latino inclusion.
Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez is planning a trip to Washington, D.C. to discuss how the neglect of this project can be rectified, remedied, corrected. Please contact her directly if you are in a position to assist by attending a meeting with PBS headquarters in D.C..
Please, make your voice heard. . so your grandchildren and great grandchildren will understand that our parents and grandparents took part in THE WAR.
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Journalism
1 University Station A1000
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas 78712-0113