DC‘s Blue Beetle scuttles into cinemas on August 18, when film promotion is an uphill battle. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike guidelines hinder an actor’s ability to hype the movie in the weeks leading up to its release. It is unfortunate timing for a relatively unknown hero who could use the bump in visibility. Thankfully, Blue Beetle has allies in the Latinx community, and fan-favorite filmmaker Zack Snyder, who says he’s looking forward to sharing the wholesome superhero spectacle with his family.
“Looking forward to taking my kids to see Blue Beetle. #RepresentationMatters #BlueBeetle,” Snyder wrote on Twitter, alongside an image of Blue Beetle’s Jaime Reyes looking like a total badass.
In an open letter, 27 Latino advocacy groups expressed their views concerning Latino representation in mainstream entertainment and how this summer was supposed to highlight the community in new and exciting ways. The groups urge everyone to show up for Blue Beetle and other projects, saying we stand on the precipice of a cultural moment that’s long overdue.
“While we’re encouraged by some of the changes we have seen in recent years, we continue to deal with the repercussions of years of being actively erased and invisible on screen,” the Latino advocacy organizations wrote in the newly-released open letter. “We were hopeful that our long overdue cultural moment had finally arrived.”
“It’s important that we show up for them at a time when they are not able to promote their projects,” the groups say about the fight for better treatment and compensation. They also note the strikes have “a significantly disproportionate impact on artists from underrepresented communities.”
You can read the full letter below:
Stories are more than entertainment. They are a powerful tool for social change that fuels our collective movement to build a more equitable, just world for those who have been historically underrepresented and marginalized.
Actors, writers and directors are essential to this work. As we watch them do what they do best, we are reminded that their art influences how people think and feel about our communities – both at home and abroad. While we’re encouraged by some of the changes we have seen in recent years, we continue to deal with the repercussions from years of being actively erased and invisible on screen.
For decades, our network of organizations has advocated for more authentic, inclusive representation of the Latino community in film and television, both in front and behind the camera.
It’s clear that we still have a long way to go, but we’re proud of our Latino creatives who are elevating our humanity and moving culture forward through their work.
We were particularly optimistic about this summer. We were approaching a critical turning point for Latino representation as we saw the return of some of our favorite shows and characters, the launch of exciting new series, and prepared for a groundbreaking moment on the big screen – the first superhero movie directed, written, and starring Latinos. We were hopeful that our long overdue cultural moment had finally arrived.
And now we are confronted with this pivotal moment across the media industry; a double strike that will have a significantly disproportionate impact on artists from underrepresented communities.
Actors and writers deserve a deal that protects their work and livelihoods, so we will continue to support them as they fight for better treatment and fair compensation. And since we represent a rapidly growing demographic with tremendous influence over the global cultural landscape, we also remain dedicated to recognizing and celebrating their artistic excellence and its invaluable role in reflecting our community and culture on screen.
For the sake of current and future generations of Latinos, we will not delay our progress any longer. We invite you to join us in our effort to amplify the work that countless Latino artists have worked so hard to create. It’s important that we show up for them at a time when they are not able to promote their projects.
Our stories are universal and need to be told. Together, we must continue to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive industry, one that respects and honors our storytellers and stories.
Together in the movement,
Acevedo Foundation
Alliance of Latinx Executives
Avenida Productions
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino
Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR)
Hispanic Coalition of Small Business (HCSB)
Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
LA Collab
Latin Heat
Latino Community Foundation
Latino Film Institute
Latino Filmmakers Network
Latino Slant
LTX Connect
Luz Media
National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF)
Nosotros
Poderistas
The Latinx House
UnidosUS
Voto Latino
We Are All Human