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
New Details in Violent Mississippi Murder of James Craig Anderson
by Jorge Rivas on August 23 2011, 12:25PM
Family members remember the man who loved his church choir, his partner, and the four-year-old girl they raised as their own.
Topics: Criminal Justice
Machine Gun Kelly Flash Mob: White Cleveland Teens Go Wild
by Jorge Rivas on August 22 2011, 2:43PM
And surprise, surprise: no fans were arrested. But the rapper and his entourage didn’t have the same luck.
Topics: Schools & Youth
MLK Memorial Unveiled to Cheers — And Criticism
by Jorge Rivas on August 22 2011, 12:45PM
Critics are unhappy Dr. King’s sculpture was created by Chinese artist Lei Yizin in China.
Topics: Politics
Climate Change Report: American Indian Tribes Hit Hardest
by Jorge Rivas on August 22 2011, 11:04AM
Whether it’s a storm, wildfire or drought, the study found American Indian Tribes are always hit the hardest.
Topics: Environment
Wendy and Jess Give Us Food Heaven, Made Easy
by Jorge Rivas on August 19 2011, 5:44PM
Wendy and Jess are teaching Brooklyn how to cook healthy 3-course meals for $10. Yes, $10 U.S. dollars.
Topics: Celebrate Love
Carlos Santana: Grammy Academy is Racist for Cutting Award Categories
by Jorge Rivas on August 19 2011, 1:30PM
His comments come after the Recording Academy’s decision in April to consolidate or eliminate music categories that mostly include artists of color.
Topics: Arts & Culture
Foreign Students on U.S. Summer Visas Tricked to Work at Hershey’s Factory
by Jorge Rivas on August 19 2011, 12:16PM
They came for a cultural exchange, and got night shifts instead.
Topics: Immigration
Black Women Object to TSA’s Airport Hair Pat Downs
by Jorge Rivas on August 19 2011, 12:00PM
The women say that they’re unfairly targeted for additional screening at the nation’s airports.
Topics: Gender & Sexuality
Poll: More Than Half of Americans Believe King’s Dream Has Been Fulfilled
by Jorge Rivas on August 19 2011, 11:54AM
Just over half of Americans polled say Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of racial equality has been fulfilled.
Topics: Politics
Black Man Jokes With Harlem to Get Real on Race
by Jorge Rivas on August 18 2011, 2:48PM
Robert Pinderhuze goes out in to the streets and uses humor to make a tough conversation easy.
Topics: Media
Black and Latino Parents Lose Child Custody Over Marijuana Charges
by Jorge Rivas on August 18 2011, 1:05PM
The New York Times reports on a startling trend that’s seeing black and Latino parents lose their children because of minor drug possession, even though whites use drugs more often.
Topics: Criminal Justice
‘My Brooklyn’ Examines Public Policy’s Role in Gentrification
by Jorge Rivas on August 17 2011, 2:47PM
A new documentary takes an important look at a force that’s transforming the country’s cities.
Topics: Economy
North Carolina Woman on Eugenics Program: ‘I Was Never Feebleminded!’
by Jorge Rivas on August 17 2011, 1:07PM
Elaine Riddick, one of thousands of mostly black women who were forcibly sterilized under the state’s eugencis program, speaks out for other victims.
Topics: History
Deadly Secrets: Supporting Documents
by Jorge Rivas on August 17 2011, 9:50AM
Deadly Secrets: How California Law Has Shielded Oakland Police Violence A fathers side of the story. Toddler’s Murder Begs Hard Questions About Violence—and Policing East Oakland has demanded more cops. They’ve also demanded less violence from the police who…
Topics:
Philly Mayor Michael Nutter Joins Bill Cosby in Bashing Black Teens and Parents
by Jorge Rivas on August 16 2011, 2:19PM
But while he lectures on personal responsibility, Mayor Nutter should take another look at his job description.
Topics: Politics
Dave Chappelle Sits Down for First Interview in Five Years
by Jorge Rivas on August 16 2011, 12:52PM
He explained his infamous 45-minute silent performance that made headlines in June, recovering from his addiction to being famous and life in Ohio.
Topics: Arts & Culture
Protestors Interrupt San Francisco Bay Area Transit System (BART) Service
by Jorge Rivas on August 16 2011, 12:29PM
Transit agency had to temporarily close all four downtown stations during the evening commute, but not before cutting cell phone service to people protesting the police shooting of Charles Hill.
Topics: Criminal Justice
Hundreds Remember Mississippi Hate Crime Victim James Anderson
by Jorge Rivas on August 15 2011, 1:55PM
The crime has shocked the nation and put local officials in the hot seat.
Topics: Criminal Justice, Video
How the Koch Brothers Tried to Segregate Wake County Schools
by Jorge Rivas on August 15 2011, 10:43AM
The billionaire brothers backed local candidates to take down an effort to integrate the country’s 18th largest school district.
Topics: Schools & Youth
Guatemalan Girl Stuck in Gut-Wrenching Adoption Scandal
by Jorge Rivas on August 12 2011, 12:08PM
A Guatemalan court has ordered a 7-year-old returned from her adoptive U.S. parents after determining she was snatched by local kidnappers five years ago. If U.S. intervenes, it’ll be a first for international adoption.
Topics: Global Affairs
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