Drop the I-Word Campaign Coordinator
Brooklyn, NY
Mónica Novoa is coordinator of the Drop the I-Word public education campaign, a platform for people nationwide to drop the dehumanizing, racist slur “illegals," and to ask that the media do the same. Ms. Novoa is a seasoned communications strategist and organizer and has implemented campaigns across issues, including immigration, preventive healthcare, technology and early literacy with the Matea Group in Washington, D.C., and Cause Communications and Ruder Finn in Los Angeles. Ms. Novoa is on the board of Homies Unidos, an organization dedicated to gang prevention and intervention with families and youth in Los Angeles. She has a degree in English Literature from California State University at Northridge, where she also helped establish both the nation’s first Central American Studies Program and research institute. Ms. Novoa lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Monica tweets at @MoniNovoa, and manages @DropTheIWord.
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The Associated Press’ Developing, Conflicted Policy on the I-Word
by Mónica Novoa on October 23 2012, 11:14AM
The AP’s policy updates are hopeful, because they articulate all of the evidence necessary to stop calling people “illegal.” Now the organization just needs to take its own advice.
Topics: Drop the I-Word, Media
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Hosts Conversation on the ‘i-word’
by Mónica Novoa on October 8 2012, 3:01PM
On this weekend’s ‘Up With Chris Hayes”, panelists talked about the merits — and pitfalls — of using the phrase “undocumented immigrant.”
Topics: /NOW Blog
The New York Times is Feeling the Pressure Over Its I-Word Stance
by Mónica Novoa on October 4 2012, 2:20PM
The Times is standing by its use of the word “illegal” in reference to undocumented immigrants. But they’re taking heat for it.
Topics: /NOW Blog
Numbers USA Ad Pits Black Voters Against Immigrants
by Mónica Novoa on October 4 2012, 11:58AM
Conservatives are trying old tactics to divide and conquer communities of color.
Topics: /NOW Blog
Latino Stereotypes Thrive in the Media, Negative Attitudes Dominate
by Mónica Novoa on September 20 2012, 12:04PM
An important new study has confirmed many of our hunches about how negative media narratives and portrayals of brown people play out in the minds of non-Latinos.
Topics: Drop the I-Word
When It Comes to Children and the Immigration Debate, Words Matter
by Mónica Novoa on August 31 2012, 10:14AM
The i-word, like other harmful language, makes the village that’s supposed to be raising the child feel really unsafe.
Topics: Drop the I-Word
Charlotte Journalists Pledge Humane Treatment of Immigrant Subjects
by Mónica Novoa on July 12 2012, 10:23AM
A youth-led campaign for media reform adds the city’s large alternative weekly to the list of local journalists who have vowed to Drop the I-Word.
Topics: Drop the I-Word, Immigration, Media
The People of Arizona Won’t Comply With Hate
by Mónica Novoa on June 26 2012, 9:18AM
Lost in the legal back-and-forth of this week’s Supreme Court ruling on Arizona’s SB 1070 is a simple fact: immigrants are human beings, and this fight is deeply personal.
Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Drop the I-Word
El Salvador’s Historic Gang Truce May Show Pathway to Peace in the U.S.
by Mónica Novoa on June 25 2012, 9:58AM
Activists in the United States are watching closely as El Salvador works to address the root causes of gang violence.
Topics: Criminal Justice, Global Affairs
La Casa Azul Becomes East Harlem’s Little Bookstore That Could
by Mónica Novoa on June 12 2012, 9:44AM
At a time when many mainstream booksellers and publishers are struggling to survive, a new independent Latino-owned bookstore in East Harlem showed that community support can be strong business capital.
Topics: Arts & Culture
One Runner’s Step-by-Step Path to Justice
by Mónica Novoa on May 30 2012, 10:00AM
Donna Hernández gives us her personal story of how running changed the way she dealt with stress, and approached social justice work.
Topics: Health
How to Do Right By Yourself While Busy Saving the World
by Mónica Novoa on May 30 2012, 10:00AM
People dedicated to racial justice are often so focused on strengthening our communities, we fail to remain healthy ourselves. Monica Novoa speaks with organizers who are helping the movement mind its own mental health.
Topics: Drop the I-Word, Health
Undocumented Mothers Have Dreams, Too
by Mónica Novoa, Angy Rivera on May 11 2012, 9:01AM
One young undocumented activists is tired of politicians talking about the “poor choices” of immigrant parents. So she gave her mom a chance to set the record straight.
Topics: Drop the I-Word
Who’s Working to Build a Better Future in Los Angeles? Start Here
by Mónica Novoa on May 8 2012, 10:06AM
From buses to community re-entry programs, the people of Los Angeles have spent the past two decades working tirelessly to transform the city’s racial and economic landscape. Here are three groups whose work stands out.
Topics: 1992 L.A. Riots
The Supreme Court and Dangerous Immigration Metaphors
by Mónica Novoa on April 27 2012, 12:15PM
Referring to people with as “illegals” is equivalent to referring to defendants awaiting trial as “convicted criminals.”
Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Drop the I-Word
UndocuMemes Show What’s So Funny About Today’s Immigration Battle
by Mónica Novoa on April 17 2012, 9:01AM
The big message here from activists? We’re human, and we can laugh, too.
Topics: Immigration
Does George Zimmerman’s Ethnicity Matter?
by Mónica Novoa on April 11 2012, 9:36AM
Zimmerman’s seemingly mixed identity has sparked a critical, if difficult dialogue about the entrenched nature of institutional racism. Monica Novoa talks to South L.A. organizer Alberto Retana about racism and racial justice among Latinos.
Topics: Trayvon Martin
Young Undocumented Activists Stand Up for Their Parents’ Dreams
by Mónica Novoa on April 5 2012, 9:27AM
When it comes to the DREAM Act, it’s been far too easy for some politicians to play the parent blame game. But activists refuse to throw their parents under the bus. We talked to both young people and their parents about their visions of justice.
Topics: Drop the I-Word, Immigration
The Horrific Death of Shaima Alawadi and the Many Lessons of Hate
by Mónica Novoa on March 30 2012, 9:53AM
The brutal slaying of a young Iraqi mother proves that hate language isn’t just about hurt feelings.
Topics: Drop the I-Word
The Plight of Transnational Women and How You Can Help Them
by Mónica Novoa on March 27 2012, 10:58AM
Monica Novoa speaks with Leilani Montes, a transnational mujer who celebrates and weaves the roles of organizer and advocate across her professional, activist and personal life.
Topics: Drop the I-Word, Gender & Sexuality, Immigration
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