First, Celebrating our history.

Imagine this for a moment – if we don't tell our story, who will. If we don't preserve our history, will it be done for us? And if we don't document our contributions, will anyone remember. Thus our first task is to preserve our legacy. Without history and documented support of the work we do, we cannot look forward. We are losing our history because we do not know its value.

When we presented a project on Cesar Chavez two years ago, we found little documentation existed that could demonstrate the effect of the farmworker movement in Arizona – the state in which Chavez was born and died. Our role is to add depth to the stories --- not sound bites, not 45 –second blurbs used by newsmakers but real content that books could serve as the basis for books, research, educational materials and films.

We wanted MDPI's role to be that of changing the future in a very direct way -- we wanted to add to the voices that would ---maybe, just maybe --- provide a story in the history books that demonstrated latino contributions. We have fought in wars and are not remembered. We changed social history in the 1970s. We marched then and we march now.

These hands, our hands, the hand of Latinos have labored in the steel mills and in the fields as well as in board rooms and in classrooms. Our hands are covered with chalk, and with soot, they are manicured and they are thick.

These minds—our minds have contributed to the creation of medical research, education policy and public policy. We have designed business plans and written books. These hearts have developed the vision that we all share a place at the table, in the room and serve as equals -- contributing to this country. We have been portrayed too long as gang bangers, criminals and illegal – these stories overwhelm the stories of who we are and what we have accomplished.

Next, Defining our future.

Fast forward to the year 2007.

We have the demographics, the economic clout and the political clout to make a difference – as you know – and MDPI wants to prepare those who will lead this nation with the data that is needed to make that difference.

This time however the lens we use to look at ourselves and our vision for the future is different. We look not at the media to tell our story but how they choose to tell our story or to ignore it. Any story – any story that speaks about Latinos speaks to all of us – the educated, the uneducated, the legal and the illegal – because the terms the media uses brands us and steps on our dignity and make us question everything about ourselves. It hurts. It lets others to assume who we are. “Illegal alien,” “dozens were herded, or packed into a vehicle”-terms these are used in the media repeatedly referencing animals rather than human beings.

Learning Institute for Working Journalists

Learning Institute for Working Journalists was an MDPI project developed in 2006 to bring 10 journalists from around the country to meet with experts on immigration. This effort was intended to assist the media in reporting on a complex issue - immigration. These journalists saw the institute to write stories and so they did.

The effect was that millions of readers heard about the immigration story from the border, not just from Washington.

In creating MDPI – my concerns were these.

These are not enough Latino journalists in the newsroom thus our stories were not told as accurately – stats today …..

1. Public policy that effected Latinos were not included Latinos in the decision making.
2. Our stories of community service and social justice were not being told.

Thus we changed the story telling and each time changed the audience …

Like any good writer I looked at the best model in creating MDPI and I kept landing back at Harvard – People, Press and Politics – it made sense and that sense has become clearer – but with one major adjustment – MDPI is for, about and to serve Latinos.

My goal today is that we forge a partnership -- that we learn from you about the issues that are ahead for the Latino community and we look at ways to tell the story – to affect change and to motivate others to not only support us but respect us.

Together we need to look at that business of media, democracy and policy. We need to look at the economic development of our communities and the academic community as a partner in the venture. Education is the great equalizer and here at this university and at others there are those of us everyday reminding the leadership that our issues are important.

We must together look at the economics of cultural equality -- preserving our legacy and making the financial commitment known to our public and all of the publics that we have pride. We must also work together to say when our public policies are not right and do not address us as a community and demand a voice – a place at the table. We must take pride in who we are and who we were. I want MDPI to be represented at your national conferences and in your board rooms. –

The evolution of MDPI is the evolution of who we are. And now our board members represent the national landscape of who we are as Latinos- we are LULAC – we are National Council de la Raza, we the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Change is in our hands.