HispanicVista Columnists

We are Tejanos and demand to be treated with respect!
By Julian Limon Fernandez

Let it be understood Los Tejanos are fed up and now it’s time to set the record straight.

Even though some may have Spanish surnames and speak Spanish it’s not fair for surveys to include the Mexican-Americans/Tejanos/Chicanos as Latinos, Hispanics or Mexicans as part of the surveys and demographics. We live in a world of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds, some may want to cross the line and try to become something they’re not. But truth to the matter our Tejano/Mexican-American/Chicano cultures have it rough especially in the music industry. We are discriminated by our American brothers and our Latino/Hispanics/Mexican brothers. We should have the best of both worlds but au contraire mi amigo. Los GRINGOS have been totally confused on what to call us or better yet categorize our many backgrounds. The national advertisers often are misled as to whom they are advertising to. If they knew you discriminated against the Mexican-Americans/Tejanos/Chicanos they would pull out of your stations. You see all they think is that Latinos, Hispanics mean all of Spanish decent and the surveys they see is Latinos/Hispanic ones. Los Tejanos/Mexican-Americans/Chicanos are included in those numbers. With that being said we want our part. You get these big National accounts because they believe you are doing the right thing, and actually serving whom you say your serving Dear Sir(s), You are lying to these folks yes the National advertisers. To make it fair you should program some airtime in every city in the United State and play their type of music such as Chicano, Tejano or Regional. This would show you care and you will not be lying to your customers and audience. In Texas there are more Tejanos/Mexican-Americans/Chicanos in population and in voter registrations. Do we have to go to war and start hating, despising and treating the Mexicans the way you treat us. We've had it! That's enough "Ya Basta"! Either start playing our local Tejano Artist or "GET THE HELL OUT OF TEXAS" We can only take so much and you have not made any efforts to take care of the community your in. You’re sitting on a chair in a building in a city and state that is Austin, Texas. You drink our water, go to our restaurant use our electricity send your Mexican kids to our schools and you act like you don't know where the hell your at. Damn it YOU'RE IN AMERICA making that American Dollar. Once your advertisers find out that you are the biggest discriminating media in the WORLD I don't think they'll be too happy to be in the same boat with you. You did what Hitler could never do. You got rid of over 20 million American born (Tejanos/Chicanos/Mexican-Americans) without firing one shot!

Local

We all know there is an unspoken war between Univision-owned radio stations and the other radio stations in Austin. I know it’s happening everywhere else too. I’m just going to comment on Austin for right now. Shame on you Univision, Telemundo, and Galavision for coming into town and arrogantly act like we “Tejanos” don’t exist and to treat us lower than a snake. This is absolutely unforgiving. You came to Austin’s great market knowing that Austin is Mexico’s greatest kept secret. You all know that Austin is the safest city in America for our brothers from south of the border. Our citizens and City Council continue to welcome the Mexican immigrants by showing our unprejudiced support and equality to fair treatment with our banks, police services, housing, health and education. And you all so boldly and arrogantly slapping us in the face by not even acknowledging the “Tejano” community and citizens you are reaching out to. On the Mexican morning radio shows they are constantly mimicking and teasing the “Tex-Mex Language.” That’s correct, we too have our own language. It may not be correct and proper but we understand it compa’ and for your professional radio DJs, with they’re correct and proper Spanish, to come into our city, cars, homes and workplace and talk that way is truly an embarrassment to our community. That is a very classless act to allow this to happen over the airwaves. You know that the FCC has fined Howard Stern for saying things on the air that doesn’t come close to what your DJs are saying. The only difference is the FCC doesn’t have the manpower and the bilingual staff to listen to you. Because you and I know you would be shut down quick. This is why I say that, you so arrogantly and boldly come into town. While with your Mexican, Hispanic, and Latino radio stations you perpetuate discrimination against not only the “Tejanos” in Austin and the surrounding area, but also the very community that has welcomed you into our homes. You do not even try to reach with your 50,000 or 100,000 watts of power to the Tejano audience. It’s bad enough that our only “Tejano” station was taken off the air and replaced it with nostalgic Mexican tunes of which none are Tejano/Conjunto. Yea, we see you at the HEB and Fiesta parking lots and at the parks when there is a Mexican Celebration like Cinco de Mayo or 16 de Septiembre. But I have yet to see you support Texas Independence Day, the Cesar Chavez March and Celebration, Austin’s Parks and Recreation Summer Concerts Series like the ones at A.B. Cantu’s Hillside or Parque Zaragoza. You should be actively looking to serve these great events instead acting like they don’t exist or that it’s beneath you? The illegal Mexican immigrants that you target have the comfort and freedom to listen to your programs while playing futbol, barbecuing at our parks and going to the clubs knowing that they will not get raided or picked up or the fear that the police will bother them. You’ve heard the phrase “Keep Austin Weird,” well this is a kind of weirdness that Austin has to offer. If you think we the people, the “Tejanos,” aren’t worth a few hours of local Conjunto and Tejano music you aren’t worth the bother, you totally missed the point. If that’s the case announce it to the world “We’re here just for the Mexicans, Hispanic and Latino audience and no one else” and you’ll never hear from us, “Los Tejanos,” again! Que te cuesta to put Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto on. Heck, you play his songs on your radio stations with Mexican artists but you won’t play him. What a shame! I can imagine what Jose Alfredo Jimenez and Cuco Sanchez went through when they too were starting out in Mexico. You too can afford to put on local Tejano and Conjunto artists on your radio shows and T.V. stations. I may never get my music played on your radio stations or get my DVD played on your TV shows, but I do want you to know you’re here for a reason and you need our local business and national accounts to survive. Please take care of our community and we’ll take care of you. Respect is the most important gesture one can give and receive. With all due respect thank you and hope to see and hear more of our beautiful culture on your radio stations and TV shows.