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.
Infographic
Interactive
Photo
Video
100 Civil Rights Groups Call on Feds to Investigate NYPD for Spying on Muslims
by Jorge Rivas on March 21 2012, 2:41PM
Over 100 civil rights, faith, community, and advocacy groups signed a letter sent on Monday urging the Department of Justice to commence a prompt investigation into the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslim Americans in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
Black Superintendent of Most Diverse School District in Nation Doesn’t Like Blacks, Workers Say
by Jorge Rivas on March 21 2012, 2:06PM
Nine employees of the Tukwila School District near Seattle, Washington, have filed complaints of racial discrimination against the districts black superintendent, Ethelda Burke.
Topics: /NOW Blog, Schools & Youth
Obama Responds to Deaf Student in Sign Language
by Jorge Rivas on March 21 2012, 12:55PM
Stephon, a 26-year-old Prince George’s Community College student signed to President Obama “I am proud of you.” The president, almost involuntary, instinctively, immediately signed back with a thank you.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Calif. State Schools Slash Spring Admission in Big Hit to Students of Color
by Jorge Rivas on March 21 2012, 12:10PM
The majority of students locked out of enrolling in the Spring are mainly transfers from community colleges who are overwhelmingly students of color.
Topics: /NOW Blog, Schools & Youth
NASCAR is Looking for an Ad Agency to Tell Latinos They’re Bienvenidos at Daytona
by Jorge Rivas on March 20 2012, 4:15PM
The family owned group that governs multiple auto racing sports events is likely looking to bite in the wallets of the fastest growing demographic in the nation.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Eminem Video Mash Up Asks: Will The Real Mitt Romney Please Stand Up?
by Jorge Rivas on March 20 2012, 1:13PM
Mitt Romney raps to the tune of Eminem.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog, Politics
Two Women Turn ‘N*ggas in Paris’ Into ‘B*tches in Bookshops’
by Jorge Rivas on March 20 2012, 12:11PM
This ‘Watch the Throne’ parody video by La Shea Delaney & Annabelle Quezada will make a book nerds head spin. The brilliants ladies behind this video are La Shea Delaney and Annabelle Quezada.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Trayvon Martin’s Girlfriend Talks About Final Call, Justice Dept Steps In
by Jorge Rivas on March 20 2012, 11:41AM
Trayvon Martin’s friend describes his last moments as a young man who was afraid to run.
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
SXSW 2012 Highlights: Music, Films, and Talks To Remember
by Jorge Rivas on March 20 2012, 11:04AM
Jorge Rivas brings you a few highlights from SXSW.
Topics: Arts & Culture, SXSW
Black Militia Plans to Make Citizen’s Arrest of Trayvon Martin’s Shooter
by Jorge Rivas on March 19 2012, 5:39PM
The leader of the Atlanta, Georgia group says they’ll travel to Florida this week to attempt a citizen’s arrest on Zimmerman.
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
Trayvon Martin Petition Calls for Federal Help After Fla. State Attorney Decision
by Jorge Rivas on March 19 2012, 4:05PM
According to ColorOfChange, Sanford police have moved Martin’s case over to the State’s Attorneys office who is claiming that there is not enough evidence to support even a manslaughter conviction.
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
Jeremy Lin Set To Announce First Global Endorsement Deal with Volvo
by Jorge Rivas on March 19 2012, 3:42PM
Although Jeremy Lin sports Nike shoes during games and is said to be in the works to create his own show with the athletic wear company, he has yet to announce any major endorsements.
Topics: Arts & Culture, Jeremy Lin, /NOW Blog
Woman Behind ‘Don’t Re-Nig 2012’ Stickers Insists They’re Not Racist
by Jorge Rivas on March 19 2012, 1:46PM
The online store that originally started selling “Don’t Re-Nig 2012” stickers has been taken down but now a second site is selling the bumper stickers and the owner has no qualms about selling the sticker.
Topics: /NOW Blog
Trayvon Martin Shooter ‘Focused on Young, Black Males’, Says New Report
by Jorge Rivas on March 19 2012, 12:20PM
Zimmerman was described by neighbors as a “mild-mannered neighbor who fixated on crime and focused on young, black males.”
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
As iPads Bolster Apple Shares, Demonstrators Prepare for Nationwide Protests
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 4:56PM
As Apple’s market grows, demonstrators are calling on Apple to create a worker protection strategy to prevent workplace abuse, injury, and death in the factories that produce new iPad and iPhones.
Topics: Economy, Global Affairs, /NOW Blog
March Madness Crowd Chants ‘Where’s Your Green Card’ at Latino Player
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 3:34PM
When Kansas State’s point guard Angel Rodriguez (who’s Puerto Rican) went to take the line some in the crown started chanting “Where’s your green card?”
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Rihanna on Working With Chris Brown: ‘It’s Music and It’s Innocent’
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 1:51PM
Rihanna was a guest on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Thursday morning and said she decided to work with Chris Brown again because he’s the “hottest R&B artist out right now.”
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Race Discussions Blow Up at SXSW Premiere of LA Riots Documentary
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 11:40AM
A Korean-American that attended the film premiere called out the director for “just showing Koreans with guns.”
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
American Idol Expels Black Finalist, Puts Criminal Record on Blast
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 10:22AM
American Idol is about making dreams come true but on Wednesday night’s show producers not only cut some dreams short but they also humiliated a contestant when they put his criminal justice history on blast.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Romney’s Mexican Relatives Wish He’d Get on Board with DREAM Act
by Jorge Rivas on March 15 2012, 9:56AM
The GOP Presidential candidate’s cousin told Univision he hopes Mitt Romney supports the DREAM Act.
Topics: GOP Primary, /NOW Blog, Politics
Popular Threads
Recent Comments