Today we’re opening Maryland’s airwaves and a window into the rich tradition, culture and history of contributions of the Latino community.
We are launching a renewed commitment to the diversity that has shaped the American landscape for generations.
Rob Shuman, congratulations. This is a proud day for you and for your colleagues at Maryland Public Television and I thank you for inviting me to be a part of your special day.
Carmen DeRienzo, Governor O’Malley sends his congratulations to the entire V-Me community and welcomes your station’s family to our State.
The Latino community is the fastest growing ethnic group in Maryland and the Nation. Our Latino population is nearly 300,000 strong in Maryland. More than 20,000 Latinos are business owners. The 400,000-plus population of Latinos living in the Washington Metro Region, including Maryland, is among the most affluent Latino populations in America. And the Latino community’s influence – economic, social, cultural and political – will only increase over time.
However, too many Americans have a distorted view of this population: Stereotypes accented by pop culture and xenophobic attempts to lock law-abiding, contributing members of our society out of the opportunities that have been uniquely American for generations.
And, to this day, there have been far too few outlets of intelligent, quality programming for Marylanders who speak or are fluent in Spanish… But, that’s about to change.
Today, Maryland Public Television is launching V-Me – aptly named, as it translates to “See Me” – a new style and new commitment for Spanish-language television that will bring:
I want to echo, though, a point that you’ve made in the past, Rob. For years, children from Spanish-speaking households – and Italian-speaking, Mandarin-speaking, et cetera – have learned English from Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and the others. Well, V-Me is returning the favor and offering an opportunity for English-speaking children to learn Spanish from Albelardo Montoya, Pancho Contreras and the other characters on Plaza Sesamo.
As our kids graduate from Sesame Street and enter elementary school, college, and, later, the workforce, their world will continue to shrink. So, it remains important that we remember that our diversity and our multi-cultured society are incredible reflections upon the traditions of our Nation and the bright futures we will leave for our children to inherit.
Rob and Carmen, congratulations. Shall we start the countdown…
Diez…Nueve…Ocho…