Equality movement leaves some Latinos feeling marginalized

Share
  • Programming Note: "Race in America: A Candid Conversation" with host Monte Poole airs Friday at 8 p.m PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.

It is Hispanic Heritage Month and Mayra Gomez, the intrepid Latino sports reporter, has questions about the mistreatment of her people. Questions that, even during a global push for equality, remain unanswered.

With much of corporate America rhetorically supporting Black Lives Matter – the movement but not necessarily the organization – there is a feeling among some Latinos that the social-justice dialogue is too narrow.

It is, for them, not so much a branch from the broad tree of “whataboutism.” It’s more what about us? Though the history of Blacks and Latinos – some of whom identify as Black – in America are quite different, 21st-century experiences can be similar.

Gomez's passion on the subject is apparent as a panelist on “Race in America: A Candid Conversation,” televised Friday night on NBC Sports Bay Area/California and NBC Sports Northwest. The 30-minute show is available on the NBC Sports Bay Area YouTube channel.

“I actually discussed this topic with my sister earlier,” Gomez says, “because if I’m being completely honest, at first when I saw the Black Lives Matter movement – I’m a firm believer that, yes, Black lives do matter, and I’m beginning to understand each and every day and I’m learning what it’s all about and where it’s coming from.

“But at the same time, I felt that as a Latina, I was being left out.”

San Francisco 49ers

Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Why NFL's running back renaissance has 49ers at perfect spot for 2025

What 49ers can learn from Eagles' D-line dominance in Super Bowl

Gomez and her fellow panelists, the Los 49ers duo of Carlos Ramirez and Jesus Zarate, who collaborate on the Spanish-language broadcast of San Francisco 49ers, represent the largest group of non-white Americans. While Black Americans account for roughly 12 percent of the population, the Hispanic or Latino total is almost 17 percent. White Americans account for about 61 percent.

The growth of the Latino community, however, has been slow to translate to increased representation in media and the halls of power. Even while often being disparaged by President Donald Trump, it’s a community asking to be heard.

Ramirez cites former NFL player Emmanuel Acho’s illuminating “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” on YouTube, which explores paths toward better understanding and empathy among races, as something of a blueprint that can be applied to Latinos.

“We have to do the same for Hispanics,” Ramirez says. “I’m from Venezuela, my wife is from Venezuela. I have a 4-year-old, she was born in Venezuela but she’s going to be an American because she got to this country when she was a year-and-a-half old. And I have a daughter who’s six months old who was born in San Jose, so she’s American. We’re all going to be Americans at some point, right?”

It’s reasonable to wonder why Latinos so often are relegated to toiling in jobs at or near the bottom of the national pay scale. To ask why it’s so difficult to escape laborer status and enter the management and vice-president levels within American corporations. 

Or even to be accepted in roles such as those occupied by the panelists, who make a living as members of sports media. Getting there is a challenge for all people of color, but the numbers are skewed by the fact that Black Americans are well-represented among the TV analysts largely because so many are former professional athletes.  

Gomez’s concerns about the lack of advocacy for Latino women in sports media are legitimate. There are exceptions, such as MJ Acosta-Ruiz, who last month proudly embraced being the first Afro-Latina host on NFL Network. She had previously worked in South Florida, San Diego and the Bay Area.

“To see MJ get to NFL Network and it be Latina, Afro-Latina, I was able to take a breath, and say OK, Latinas do belong there. We are a part of this,” Gomez says. “I wanted to thank MJ for embracing her Latino side, and for allowing us Latinos to feel a part of what it is to be a part of the NFL Network.”

It’s apparent all three panelists want to see more inclusion in the pursuit of social progress in America. Native Americans and Black people have been marginalized longer, but other groups – including Asians and those Middle Eastern – have been victimized by the sociopolitical system and even subjected to hate crimes.

RELATED: Time for NFL owners to call for racial, social justice

They welcome a few more like 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who has been openly dismissive of “fans” intolerant of athletes engaging in the quest for for social, racial and ethnic equality. 

“I want to thank Arik Armstead because he’s one of the very few football players out there who’s using his platform not to talk about Black Lives Matter, not that that movement isn’t important I want to make that clear, but he’s talking about racism as a whole,” Gomez says. “He’s encouraging people to love each other, to share that love, and to respect each other. When he spoke out, I was able to connect with him. I encourage each and every one of us to do exactly that, to continue to spread love and continue to follow his message.”

Contact Us