"Unidos Nunca Vencidos" (1986)

We invaded a federal building (with permission): Hollywood's Post Office on Wilcox Ave. At the time 99% of Spanish language television was produced inside Mexico City sound stages with European looking actors.

My goal was to break the mold: go outdoors and roam freely. Especially since in 1986 most Latinos in Hollywood were undocumented workers who after long hours at work hid from immigration staying at home. Television was their only outlet.

In a world prior to the Internet, email, cell phones, Ipods, even pre-pagers; Spanish language media guided vulnerable immigrants to navigate their lives in a foreign land. Using humor in the midst of almost total invisibility.

As in ancient times many Mexican communicators used the arts to send messages to our viewers signaling it was safe to go out in public and enjoy themselves. Another pop example:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yKkveD83H38

Later Republican President Ronald Reagan fought hard with Congress to pass a still controversial immigration reform bill. And the television dream of going out fearless of deportation became reality for some, although not for all even today. http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/20th/car/reagan85.html

"Bien lo dijo quien lo dijo, y lo dijo muy bien dicho: el habito no hace al monje," Luis Vega. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RRUbwnkEPqc

"Que te pasa? Que estas haciendo en casa? La tormenta ya paso. Derriba la muralla (Tear down the wall)," Yuri.

History was being made live on TV. Because at the time we were all you could watch, that reflected Latino life, on TV. A captive audience.

Vega on "Hispanic or Latino?":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQbLYk2W7jw

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