COLORLINES - Jorge Rivas

Jorge Rivas

Multimedia Editor / Pop Culture Blogger
Los Angeles, CA

Jorge Rivas is multimedia editor and pop culture blogger for Colorlines.com. A firm believer in the power of visual communications to inform and move people into action, Jorge uses multimedia presentations to help readers build stronger connections to stories. Jorge has covered the public housing crisis in a post-Katrina New Orleans, the effects of deportation on families, and brought live images of the President Obama's inauguration to Colorlines.com readers.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jorge started in broadcast as an intern at the age of 16 and since worked in the entertainment industry and on international advertising campaigns. Jorge received his B.A. in Raza Studies from San Francisco State University where he studied immigration, healthcare perspectives and the interrelationship of culture, community, and the internet. Prior to joining Applied Research Center (ARC) and Colorlines.com in 2005, Rivas worked on a living wage campaign in Brooklyn, NY through the Minority Activist Apprenticeship Program (MAAP).

Jorge uses his media and ethnic studies background to deconstruct representation of people of color in pop culture, illustrating how pop culture can shape opinions, perceptions and even public policy. Jorge's work has appeared on Elle.com, Essence.com, Racialicious, The Root, Alternet, and Feministing.

Check out Jorge's media appearances here.

Follow Jorge on Twitter at @thisisjorge.

Transgender Woman Dies in Fire, So Of Course the News Is About Wild Sex

by Jorge Rivas on May 14 2012, 4:00PM

Would the New York Times ever describe a woman who is not transgender, who had died in a fire, as “curvaceous”?

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

New York City Becoming Less Dominican, More Mexican, Census Finds

by Jorge Rivas on May 14 2012, 1:01PM

More Dominicans left New York City than arrived since 2000 while the growth of Mexican immigrants nearly bumped them ahead of South Americans into third place among Latinos in NYC, according to Census data analysed by the population division of…

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

Florida Black Woman Gets 20 Years After Failed ‘Stand Your Ground’ Defense

by Jorge Rivas on May 14 2012, 11:04AM

Despite a series of rallies and calls for her release, Marissa Alexander was sentenced Friday morning to 20 years for firing one shot into a wall during an argument with her estranged husband.

Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW

Obama Proclamation Urges You Show Your ‘Love, Respect, and Gratitude to Mothers Everywhere’

by Jorge Rivas on May 11 2012, 4:41PM

“I urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and gratitude to mothers everywhere, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

Even Gun Enthusiasts Are Disgusted With Trayvon Martin Gun Range Targets

by Jorge Rivas on May 11 2012, 1:12PM

An unidentified man has been selling gun range targets of a black silhouette wearing a hoodie and holding a bag skittles.

Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW

Black Leaders Say Obama Won’t Lose Support Because of Gay Marriage

by Jorge Rivas on May 11 2012, 1:01PM

Despite hysteria over Obama’s stance on gay marriage experts say it’s unlikely Obama will lose the African-American vote.

Topics: /NOW, Politics

Sheriff Arpaio Unfazed by DOJ Lawsuit: ‘I Can be Re-elected on Pink Underwear’

by Jorge Rivas on May 11 2012, 11:13AM

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against him is all politics.

Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW

Trayvon Martin’s Mom Has a Special Mother’s Day Message

by Jorge Rivas on May 11 2012, 10:19AM

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Florida shooting victim Trayvon Martin, released a video asking parents to support the Second Chance on Shoot First campaign, a national partnership working to reform, repeal and prevent passage of new Florida-style “Shoot First” laws around the country.

Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW

Artist Puts Fake Gardeners Near Clooney’s House Before Obama Fundraiser

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 7:09PM

Mexican-American artist Ramiro Gomez has a message for Obama: “We’re all Americans.”

Topics: Immigration, /NOW

U.N. Official Recommends U.S. Return Mt. Rushmore to Sioux

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 5:03PM

A United Nations human rights official has recommended the U.S. turn over control of lands considered to be sacred to Native Americans, including the site of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

Cancer Patients Remind Us ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 3:27PM

A group of pediatric cancer patients in Seattle are sharing their strength with the world and reminding us “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

HBO and VICE Partner for News Magazine Show, International Stories Expected

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 2:31PM

While a lot of VICE Magazine’s print content demeans people regularly, historically their video content has humanized those living in marginalized groups of society in ways other big media doesn’t even begin to approach.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

Violence at Rikers Island is Out of Control, Inside Sources Call it ‘House of Horror’

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 1:40PM

A Villa Voice investigation finds New York City’s jails are “houses of horror.”

Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW

Luchadora DREAMer Fights for Her Life On and Off the Ring [Video]

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 12:28PM

The short film “The Fighter” by Josh David follows Don and shows the complexities of the lives that many DREAMers face outside of their organizing efforts.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

Thinking About Attending Facing Race? Allow These Notables to Persuade You

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 10:48AM

Check out the star studded video of conference highlights presented by ARC Executive Director Rinku Sen, including testimonials from Melissa Harris Perry, Ai-jen Poo, and Van Jones.

Topics: /NOW, Politics

Thank Michelle, Sasha and Malia for Helping President Obama’s Gay Marriage Shift

by Jorge Rivas on May 10 2012, 10:09AM

President Obama’s family influenced his gay marriage shift, aides say.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

RuPaul: ‘Barack… Shantay, You Stay!’

by Jorge Rivas on May 9 2012, 6:31PM

The title says it all.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

There’s a ‘Sh*t Steve Harvey Says’ Video and It’s Totally Things He’s Really Said

by Jorge Rivas on May 9 2012, 5:05PM

Interesting thing here is that while most of the “Shit People Say” videos that have gone viral are satire this one is all real Steve Harvey.

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

LGBT North Carolinians Share Their Wins a Day After Amendment One [Video]

by Jorge Rivas on May 9 2012, 4:13PM

“The TRUE victory is in our renewed commitment to each other and solidarity with all families.”

Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW

President Obama Affirms His Support for Same Sex Marriage

by Jorge Rivas on May 9 2012, 3:28PM

President Barack Obama affirmed his support for gay marriage on Wednesday. The big news here is that he actually used the word marriage—not civil union.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality, /NOW

Jorge Rivas

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