Shows in Spanish Also Deserve ALMA Notice

In her acceptance speech at the ALMA Awards, Cristina Saralegui said something very interesting: “We are not English-dominant Latinos. We are not Spanish-language Latinos. We are not bilingual Latinos. We are all Latinos” (“ALMA Awards Provide a Cause for Celebration and Dismay,” by Dana Calvo, April 18). Well, if this is true, then I hope that the powers that be at the National Council of La Raza were listening.

If this is a statement we all agree with, why is it that shows like “Los Beltran” and “Solo en America”--sitcoms airing on the Telemundo network--were not given any consideration in an evening when La Raza is honoring Latinos in the entertainment industry?

I was told that my series, “Los Beltran,” did not receive consideration because it’s in Spanish. In all honesty, I’ve never heard anything more absurd. Here is an awards show that bears a Spanish name but doesn’t consider shows performed in Spanish?

OK, I know what they’re going to say: “This is a show that honors Latinos who work in English-speaking America.” That’s right, and all 10 of them deserve to get all the accolades year after year.

For those who aren’t aware, “Los Beltran” and “Solo en America” are taped in the heart of Hollywood. We have a staff and crew that is 80% Latino. We all work under union contracts (AFTRA, WGA, DGA and all the rest). No other productions come close to employing as many Latinos as we do. In addition, we have given three Latinos their first chance to direct a multi-camera show; they have directed 10 episodes of “Los Beltran” and “Solo en America.”

After battling as a writer in Hollywood for 13 years, I was given the opportunity by Telemundo and Columbia TriStar to create and executive-produce a series about a Cuban American family living in Burbank. It has been nominated for a GLAAD Award for best comedy series, along with “Will & Grace” (NBC), “Sex and the City” (HBO) and “Action” (Fox). The show has been critically acclaimed by several major publications.

In an age when the cry to Hollywood and society at large is to be inclusive, La Raza is becoming exclusive. That’s a real shame. The powers that be at this organization are going against the very thing they stand for. I believe they must rethink their criteria for the ALMA Awards, because we will be producing more television here, providing more opportunities for our people.

To be considered and denied is acceptable, but to not receive any consideration on the basis of language is ludicrous.