PANORAMA LATINO
AMERICANO (PLA) is a weekly television show broadcast in Spanish or English
as the subject or talent requires. This program covers a wide range of
subjects concerning Latin America, Latin Americans residing in the USA,
and Latinos living in Thurston County and surrounding areas. PLA began
in September of 1989 as a biweekly television program broadcast in English
on Channel 3 (TCTV). In 1991 PLA became a weekly show alternating Spanish
and English programs, and broadcast three times per week --Sunday 8.00
P.M., Tuesdays12.30 A.M., and Fridays 3.00 P.M. )
PANORAMA LATINO
AMERICANO is an open forum for the Latino/Hispanic segment of the population
residing in Thurston County, and for those interested in issues concerning
this large ethnic group. One of PLA's main goals is to serve as a link
between the reality of Latin America and; Latinos living in the USA, Latin
descendants born in the USA, and the Thurston County community. Between
1989 and now, over 200 televisions shows have been produced by PLA dealing
with the culture, history, religion, literature, folklore, arts and politics
of Latin America. PLA has produced many shows about Latinos in the United
States, and in Thurston County.
The producers
of PLA are aware that the concept of "Hispanic" is not a homogeneous
classification. People from either Mexican or Spanish background are commonly
lumped together by those who assume all Latinos, whether native born U.S.
citizens or people coming to the U.S.from places ranging all the way from
South of the Río Grande to Patagonia, are all the same. Latin Americans
are all immigrants, uprooted from somewhere in the world and settled in
an inadequately named, "New World." These immigrants all represent
diversity and are, without exception, the bearers of a family of cultures:
Indians, Europeans, Africans, Asians etc. "The new world", would
not exist without the heroic biographies, the romantic languages, and the
dreams of their worldly ancestors. A unique multicultural mosaic exists
primarily in Latin America created out of peoples ethnic, political, historical,
environmental, geographic, and regional cultural differences. Many of these
peoples later immigrated (for political or economic reasons), were annexed
(as with some Mexican territories), or reigned in under political treaties
(like Puerto Rico). Various aspects of the Latin American culture mixed
and began to interact with other cultures of the USA.
For eight consecutive
years PLA has gathered the most important elements of Latino/Hispanic cultures
as described above. PLA has compiled an important library of unique artistic
materials, testimonies, and interviews created through production of regular
weely broadcasts. PLA celebrates the Hispanic/Latino Community in the Thurston
County area and in the USA. In this respect, PLA is a momentous videographic
testimonial resource, and an important contributor to the Humanities. Many
television shows about theater (street and peasant theater), dances, poetry,
murals and graffiti, history and politics, have been produced during the
past eight years.
PLA enjoys a
positive affirmative response from both English and Spanish speaking people
in the area. PLA has received many calls expressing thanks for what we
are doing, and requests for encores for many of these unique programs.
PLA receives suggestions from the community regarding topics and talent
for future productions. Without a doubt, PLA has filled a cultural void
felt among inhabitants of the county. Schools, churches, colleges, community
and state organizations also benefit from our productions. Folkloric programs
from the Andes, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, for example,
are used --free of charge-- in our local schools in their regular Spanish
classes or classes dealing with multiculturalism and ethnic minorities
in the USA.
Another important
contribution provided by PLA occurs in its special programming which contains
exclusive material obtained through our personal sources and correspondents
in Latin America. For example, PLA's coverage of the (February) 1990 national
elections in Nicaragua. Exclusive footage about the participation of former
President Jimmy Carter and former Senator Dan Evans in the election was
filmed by our own crews. Similar coverage has been effected in El Salvador,
Guatemala, and most currently, Chile and Mexico. In addition, interview
programs (talk shows) with well known personalities from Latin America,
for instance the interview with Uruguayan writer, Eduardo Galeano, and
the poet, songwriter and singer Luis Mejía Godoy from Nicaragua,
The folkloric ballet of Universidad Veracruzana of Mexico, Grupo Illapu,
Inti Illimani, Quilapayún from Chile, Grupo Sukay from Bolivia and
California have all given performances which have been aired on PLA.
If you are interested in joining us call me at 866-6000 ext.6740