Olmeda

I got tired of click bait: How I solved it will shock you!

I stopped clicking on manipulatively titled Facebook posts. Hey, thanks for visiting. While you’re here, check out my three most recent posts: Time to hold Fox and Friends to a lower standard> Convert or Die: Unacceptable for any religion The ice bucket challenge: a fad that stands apart Thanks!

The ice bucket challenge: a fad that stands apart

An edited version of this article appeared in the Sun Sentinel on Aug. 31, 2014. I’m restoring some of the thoughts that were trimmed for space considerations. The original article can be found here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-oped-als-ro-20140831,0,3681510.story She died two years ago today, August 31, 2012. Diane Riportella was my sister, and Lou Gehrig’s disease stole her fromContinue reading “The ice bucket challenge: a fad that stands apart”

Holding Leo’s Hand: The worst thing about having autism

This is an excerpt from The Reason I Jump, by Naoki Higashida. Click on the title and purchase the book on Amazon.com. Naoki was, at the time this was written, a 13-year-old boy in Japan living with autism. He was not someone capable of carrying on a normal conversation, but using a specially designed keyboard,Continue reading “Holding Leo’s Hand: The worst thing about having autism”

UNITY: The members have spoken

I’m just writing this to update my recent post on UNITY’s name change and offer a few thoughts. First, I want to applaud the UNITY leadership for opening up the process I described in my previous post and giving members a real choice, albeit a difficult one. And I applaud the membership for choosing theContinue reading “UNITY: The members have spoken”

UNITY’s name change: You’re doing it wrong

UNITY Journalists is changing its name again. Stung by criticism after dropping “of Color” from its name earlier this year, the coalition is intent on changing its name again, and this time it’s giving members a say in what the final name will be. And UNITY is blowing it. I say this with all dueContinue reading “UNITY’s name change: You’re doing it wrong”

Restoring NAHJ will take more than words

I made a donation today to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. I did it because NAHJ needs the help of every member to meet its immediate and long-term goals. Members want an effective website, a responsible and responsive staff (of more than just one overworked person), increased training and networking opportunities and a voiceContinue reading “Restoring NAHJ will take more than words”

A suggestion for the #UNITYJournalists alliance partners

Congratulations on another UNITY convention receiving high marks from those who attended. I’m sorry I missed it, and I vow to be with you at your next convention. About that… What’s say we do this again in 2014? Hear me out. I know this idea has been floated and rejected before, but that wasContinue reading “A suggestion for the #UNITYJournalists alliance partners”

My comments on the #NAHJ board meeting Twitter controversy

One of the challenges one faces when granting an interview with a reporter is recognizing that not everything he or she says will be used in the article. The trick is to measure everything you say so that no matter which quote is pulled, it can stand on its own without confusing anyone. It isContinue reading “My comments on the #NAHJ board meeting Twitter controversy”

Hugo Balta for NAHJ President

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is going through some tough times. I do not envy the current board for the difficult decisions they have had to make over the last two years, and I will not second-guess them. I applaud President Michele Salcedo and Vice President/Financial Officer Russell Contreras for taking their roles seriouslyContinue reading “Hugo Balta for NAHJ President”

UNITY name change was a foregone conclusion, but…

They went ahead and did it. UNITY: Journalists of Color is no more. Long live UNITY Journalists. Truth is, the name change was a foregone conclusion from the moment the UNITY board opted to allow the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association to become a part of the coalition. In embracing that bold change, theContinue reading “UNITY name change was a foregone conclusion, but…”