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.
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Interactive
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Actress in Hoekstra’s Chinese-Themed Site is Former CA Beauty Queen
by Jorge Rivas on February 10 2012, 9:21AM
The Asian actress who stars in the DebbieSpentitnow.com is reportedly a 21-year-old Bay Area native, UC Berkeley sociology graduate and Miss Napa Valley.
Fear of Deportation Kept L.A. School’s Parents From Reporting Sex Abuse
by Jorge Rivas on February 10 2012, 8:39AM
As the Miramonte Elementary School sex scandal grows, new reports claim that some parents didn’t report their children’s abuse because of their legal status.
Topics: Immigration, /NOW Blog, Schools & Youth
Today’s Love: Happy Birthday Alice Walker!
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 6:12PM
Alice Walker turns 68 today.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
![Sh*t Mitt Romney Says When He's Around Black People: 'Who Let The Dogs Out' [Video]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/mitt-romney-shit-says-thumb-120x120-5254.jpg)
Sh*t Mitt Romney Says When He’s Around Black People: ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ [Video]
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 2:00PM
Mitt Romney was surrounded by a group of African-Americans and asked “who let dogs out?”
Housing Advocates Say Foreclosure Settlement is Too Little, Too Late
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 12:00PM
Advocates say today’s settlement does not do justice for the millions of homeowners who lost their homes or hold the banks fully accountable for their crimes.
![Jeremy Lin Provides Endless Sign Opportunities [Slideshow]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/j-lin-fans-2012-1-thumb-120x120-5251.jpg)
Jeremy Lin Provides Endless Sign Opportunities [Slideshow]
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 11:58AM
Let the Linsanity begin with a collection of signs supporting to all star Chinese-American Knicks player.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
![Watch Jeremy Lin's First NBA Dunk [Video]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/jeremy_lin_020712-thumb-120x120-5232.jpg)
Watch Jeremy Lin’s First NBA Dunk [Video]
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 10:55AM
Jeremy Lin had another big game last night against the Wizards. Watch He his first NBA dunk above. Asian fan is holding up a sign: “Who says we can’t drive?” Tremendous. It’s all Jeremy Lin all the time— Frank Isola…
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
![Guy In Blackface Asks Brigham Young Students About Black History Month [Video]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/blackface-birgma-thumb-120x120-5243.jpg)
Guy In Blackface Asks Brigham Young Students About Black History Month [Video]
by Jorge Rivas on February 9 2012, 10:17AM
Dave Ackerman, 31, a comedian based in Utah dresses up in blackface and goes to the Brigham Young campus to ask questions about black historical figures.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Activist Patricia Stephens Due Dead at 72
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 4:59PM
The 72-year-old, whom they called the Joan of Arc of the civil rights movement in Tallahassee, Fla., succumbed on Tuesday after a long fight with thyroid cancer.
![Michelle Obama Can Do A Lot More Push-Ups than Jimmy Fallon [Video]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/jimmy-fallon-firstlady-thumb-120x120-5240.jpg)
Michelle Obama Can Do A Lot More Push-Ups than Jimmy Fallon [Video]
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 3:26PM
First Lady Michelle Obama made an appearance on Tuesday night’s “Late Night” and got in to a friendly competition with host Jimmy Fallon….
CNN Suspends Roland Martin for Controversial Super Bowl Tweets
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 2:51PM
CNN says Roland Martin will not be appearing on the air anytime soon.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Chris Brown Performing at Grammys on Third Anniversary of Fight with Rihanna
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 2:39PM
Brown’s high profile arrest for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna happened early in the morning that he was slated to perform at the Grammys in 2009.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank Execs Funding Pols Behind Minnesota Voter ID Push
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 2:16PM
TakeAction Minnesota says that executives from Minnesota’s three largest banks—Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and TC—have bankrolled the politicians who are working to restrict voter rights in the state.
![Justice Sonia Sotomayor Rules for Goldilocks on Sesame Street [Video]](http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2012/02/sonia-sotomayor-sesamestreet-thumb-120x120-5238.jpg)
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Rules for Goldilocks on Sesame Street [Video]
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 1:47PM
Sesame Street gets a visit from one wise Latina.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Starbucks Barista Draws ‘Chinky Eyes’ on Korean-American Customer’s Cup
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 11:53AM
First it was “Ching Chong” at Chick-Fil-A in Irvine then it was it was “Lady Chinky Eyes” at a Papa John’s in Harlem and now a Starbucks Barista in Georgia drawing “chinky eyes” on a cup to identify two Korean-American customers.
Topics: Arts & Culture, /NOW Blog
Bankruptcy Attorneys Report Major Jump in Student Loan Debtors
by Jorge Rivas on February 8 2012, 11:11AM
The United States faces a real possibility of another major economic threat on a par with the devastating home mortgage crisis, according to the survey.
Rep. Barbara Lee Recognizes Black HIV/AIDS Awareness on House Floor
by Jorge Rivas on February 7 2012, 5:51PM
“We are our brother and sister’s keeper,” - Barbara Lee
Topics: Celebrate Love, /NOW Blog
Roland Martin Insists He’s Not Coaching Bullies on #Teamwhipdatass
by Jorge Rivas on February 7 2012, 5:26PM
During the Superbowl game on Sunday CNN commentator Roland Martin made comments on Twitter that both GLAAD and National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) have said could be interpreted to promote violence against gays.
Topics: Gender & Sexuality, Media, /NOW Blog
CDC: 1 in 16 Black Men Will Be Diagnosed with HIV During Their Lifetime
by Jorge Rivas on February 7 2012, 4:12PM
The impact of HIV has been devastating among black youth, with approximately 40 percent of new infections among blacks now occurring among those between the ages of 13 and 29.
ICE Creates Public Advocate Position to Serve ‘Those in Immigration Proceedings’
by Jorge Rivas on February 7 2012, 3:38PM
Advocates say ICE would do better to halt programs like Secure Communities than patch things up with these sorts of minor reforms.
Topics: Immigration, /NOW Blog
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