IT CAME FROM THE MIND OF PITA OJEDA'S SWEETIE
BY Steve Baxley
A Creative Sanity Production
>>> Out of my mind and into being owned by Televisa
Hi all, I know its been a while since we last got together, but we are back to work, finally!
so, lets open up our bag and vent!
TELEMUNDO MAKES A BIG ERROR IN MY BOOK!
Now you know I am ANTI-Political Correctness and PRO-Creativity, On Thursday again a big media conglomerate decided to shoot themselves in the ass, and all because of A FISH!
A good friend named Luisa Fernanda got the gate from telemundo executives for making a comment ABOUT A FISH!!
But here is how assinine telemundo executives were, they thought the word she used was a slur against gays
Now a little Full disclosure from me, My cousin Crystal is gay and found NOTHING offensive about the word, she KNEW it was a fish.. and she is not alone.
A joint statement by reps from GLADD and other organizations was issued
UNITY COALITION MEETS WITH TV PERSONALITY LUISA FERNANDA ABOUT DERROGATORY COMMENTS TOWARDS LGBT COMMUNITY THAT LED TO HER TERMINATION BY TELEMUNDO
Miami, Florida – This past Tuesday, June 21st, the Spanish TV network Telemundo terminated TV host & personality Luisa Fernanda, presenter on the show Cotorreando con Mauricio Zelig. This decision was made due to the manner in which she handled herself on the program, which according to Telemundo, was not consistent with the culture of the company or its respect for diversity.
“I deeply lament what occurred on the program that I presented on until last Wednesday - "Cotorreando". I regret that a word used erroneously could cause such discomfort in the homosexual community or to any other community and I wanted to explain that I did not know of the negative connotation of the word, and I take full responsibility for its inappropriate use. Who I most want to express my deepest respect for is the community of which many of my closest friends, and without going any further, my own brother is a part of” said Luisa Fernanda.
Recognizing her deep commitment and history with the community, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) representatives, including members from UNITY COALITION/COALICION UNIDA, Florida's leading Latino/Hispanic gay civil-rights nonprofit initiative, offering leadership on issues that concern Latino/Hispanic LGBT and other minority groups, met with her to hear her explanation over the use and context of the offensive words that resulted in her dismissal.
“After our meeting with Luis Fernanda and her honest explanation of her actions and use of what was seen as a derogatory term, we can more clearly understand the richness of our Spanish Language and its many times that what is considered acceptable in one country or region may be offensive or inappropriate in another with different values or traditions” said, Ron Brenesky, vice president of Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida. “A language that is so extensive and beautiful as ours, that is so open to customs, traditions, accents and adjustments, often sets itself up to offend without this being the intention or reality” added Brenesky.
Also present at the meeting with Luisa Fernanda was Christian Aguilar of Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida. “Our language is tolerant and diverse, and for this reason is often the cause and reason of much confusion, but Spanish is clearly a language rich in words. One of the most beautiful is ‘forgive’, added Aguilar.
Luisa Fernanda has paid with her job and image for a brief lapse in knowledge and understanding – not for homophobia or hate. Her respect and support of the LGBT community has been consistent and without judgment. It is necessary to listen when acts against our community are made and to determine their intentions. We met with Luisa Fernanda, we listened to her and determined that it is time to close this chapter and to continue to support our friends, of which she is.
To me, Luisa got the shaft! she got tossed for no reason, she got shit canned! she wasnt even allowed to defend herself, much less to say farewell on the air.
She did however release a statement...
"As you already know last Thursday June 21st Telemundo Network decided to end our labor relationship for considering that my behavior is not consistent with the company culture and their respect for diversity.I deeply regret what happened in the show that I used to host until last Wednesday Cotorreando. I regret that one word incorrectly used could upset the homosexual community, but I want to explain that I didn't knew of it's pejorative use to the gender and that far from the personal repercussions, to who I want to reiterate my deep respect is to that community in which I have very good friends and with out even going further my own brother belongs too.
I honestly think that I CAN'T aloud some body to think that I don't respect gender diversity when a lot of people knows that I have always clearly expressed my self about that subject and collaborated in events and associations that represent that diversity 'cause opposite I would be judging my own blood which I could never do.As a TV host I've always known that I have to assume the responsibility of what I say and it is true that if there was a time when some one felt offended it is also true that I apologized and just like that I want to clarify that the use of the word described as contemptuous or pejorative to some community o certain group was used by me with out knowing it had a double sense or meaning.
With out doubt ignorance is daring 'cause although I live in the city of Miami I totally and absolutely ignored the meaning of that word, situation that can happen to anyone due to the fact that we live in a country of cultural diversity.I want to thank Telemundo for opening their doors and allowing me be close to so many people trough their screen. I take with me invaluable memories, friends and lots of learning's.
There's so many people to thank that I would never finish from the top management to all those behind camera who gave me every day a good morning smile. To all of my colleagues thank you for your affection, your unconditional support and for making me feel at home, you are my family!
There is one person I want to give a very special thank you 'cause it's been an honor to work with him, a pillar in this industry, some one who will always be dear to me, Mauricio Zeilic. I respect you, admire you and love you with all my heart. Thank you for your teachings, your time and most important your friendship I will miss you very very much!
To the audience my eternal respect and promise that I will keep on working hard and honestly.And at last but not least my complete gratitude to all the coalitions, alliances and groupsfor your unconditional support and understanding we all agree that tolerance,equality,justice and respect are principles in our lives and we'll keep fighting for that. Thank you for been here and showing that my respect for diversity is real"
As for my viewpoint on this ..Simply stated, we live now in a society where if you say one word wrong, you are going to get nailed to the cross without a chance to defend yourself.
Luisa was shafted,shit-canned because a nervous ,pinheadded ,gerbilhead executive missed his "Spanish for Dummies" book and fucked up big time, if he listened a bit carefully none of this wouldve happened.
This is why ladies and gents of the penut gallery, I prefer to work in Mexico ,Canada,Australia,or England..at least THERE you can be free to create,and speak out without fear of retribution or concequences, free to be who you are ,free to paint what you see and not be ashamed of it, free to speak out and speak up and not be sileneced if you dont agree with what a president says.
We used to have that type of a society here in America, but now you can hear the goosesteps of a dark era, where the printed word or the visual message is distorted and beant to meet with the approval of some glory seeking demented religious zelig and his goon squad who think they know what you should say,read,act,paint,sing or do, where there once was independent thinking there is now non thought, where there used to be jokes you know are funny , there is now a lack of laughs, where there is songs to be sung, there is now silence.
The time ladies and gents is coming, a new leader is going to take over, hopefully to correct the wrongs of the present administration and bring america back alive and healthy, until that time comes...we continue to live in the darkness of a malise that has seperated us and made us look weak.
The creative community needs to be at the forefront of all this ...and now rather than later !
posted by steve @ 12:13 AM
