COLORLINES - Jorge Rivas

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.

Oprah Winfrey Network Debuts Without Young People, Latinos

Oprah Winfrey Network Debuts Without Young People, Latinos

by Jorge Rivas on January 3 2011, 11:05AM

Critics still say it’s still an ambitious and well-received start.

Topics: Media

The Year in Race--Disasters, Deportations and DREAMs Rising

The Year in Race—Disasters, Deportations and DREAMs Rising

by Jorge Rivas on December 16 2010, 12:05PM

There’s much to be frustrated about, but also to celebrate. Jorge Rivas looks back on a year’s headlines in the fight for racial justice.

Topics: 2010: Year in Race

Fox News: 'Penélope Cruz is Having an Anchor Baby'

Fox News: ‘Penélope Cruz is Having an Anchor Baby’

by Jorge Rivas on December 14 2010, 11:36AM

Leave it to the network to insult Latinos on what’s supposed to be their own turf.

Topics: Immigration, Media

Fashion Photographer Bruce Weber's Moving Portrait of Little Haiti

Fashion Photographer Bruce Weber’s Moving Portrait of Little Haiti

by Jorge Rivas on December 14 2010, 10:04AM

Known for imagining all-American brands, Weber turns his lens to those who have been defined out of Americanness. Jorge Rivas takes a look.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Immigration

Blacks, Latinos Use Twitter Two Times More Than Whites

Blacks, Latinos Use Twitter Two Times More Than Whites

by Jorge Rivas on December 10 2010, 2:38PM

Despite a digital divide, blacks and Latinos are more than twice as likely to use Twitter than whites.

Topics: Media

Today's Unconditional Love Goes To Accepting Families

Today’s Unconditional Love Goes To Accepting Families

by Jorge Rivas on December 9 2010, 6:36PM

Because research now proves that it literally saves lives.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Oprah: 'I'm Not Even Kind of a Lesbian'

Oprah: ‘I’m Not Even Kind of a Lesbian’

by Jorge Rivas on December 9 2010, 4:39PM

And Barbara Walters is still asking people about their sexuality.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Oprah

Pint-Sized Rap Stars Hit the World Stage

Pint-Sized Rap Stars Hit the World Stage

by Jorge Rivas on December 9 2010, 1:17PM

But are these YouTube sensations a good idea?

Topics: Arts & Culture

Aretha Franklin's Cancer Diagnosis Prevalent Among Blacks

Aretha Franklin’s Cancer Diagnosis Prevalent Among Blacks

by Jorge Rivas on December 9 2010, 9:25AM

The Queen of Soul is battling a disease that disproportionally hits African Americans.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Health

Dozens of Vigils for DREAM Act on Eve of Expected Vote

Dozens of Vigils for DREAM Act on Eve of Expected Vote

by Jorge Rivas on December 8 2010, 2:52PM

A multi-racial show of unity as Congress readies major immigration bill.

Topics: DREAM Act

Oprah, Bill Jones Saluted at Kennedy Center Honors, Still No Asian Americans

Oprah, Bill Jones Saluted at Kennedy Center Honors, Still No Asian Americans

by Jorge Rivas on December 6 2010, 4:27PM

Previous winners include Ella Fitzgerald and Placido Domingo.

Topics: Arts & Culture

Today, Mad Love for 8-Year-Old B-Boys

Today, Mad Love for 8-Year-Old B-Boys

by Jorge Rivas on December 3 2010, 5:53PM

Keeping the art alive in Hawaii. CUTENESS.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Mosque Mania Erupts in Southern California

Mosque Mania Erupts in Southern California

by Jorge Rivas on December 2 2010, 3:05PM

Once again, a mundane zoning discussion turns into a referendum on race and religion.

Topics: Mosque Mania

Victoria's Secret Saves Dark Skinned Models for

Victoria’s Secret Saves Dark Skinned Models for “Wild Things” Segment

by Jorge Rivas on December 1 2010, 12:18PM

This year’s annual fashion show included indigenous dance. Concerned? We are too.

Topics: Arts & Culture

“Dear First Lady Michelle” — Young Students Write to the Obamas

by Jorge Rivas on November 30 2010, 12:32PM

Kids ask about everything from divorce to immigration policy.

Topics: Schools & Youth

Janelle Monae, Serena Williams Sign Off Twitter for AIDS Charity

Janelle Monae, Serena Williams Sign Off Twitter for AIDS Charity

by Jorge Rivas on November 29 2010, 12:55PM

It’s a problematic effort toward raising awareness.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Technology, World AIDS Day

I-Word Triggers Boycott Campaign Against Fresno Bee Newspaper

I-Word Triggers Boycott Campaign Against Fresno Bee Newspaper

by Jorge Rivas on November 24 2010, 9:18AM

Immigrant community advocates take the Frenso Bee to task for its language.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Michelle Obama is Bringing 6,000 Salad Bars to Public Schools

Michelle Obama is Bringing 6,000 Salad Bars to Public Schools

by Jorge Rivas on November 23 2010, 4:04PM

Only about 15 percent of public school cafeterias have salad bars.

Topics: Health

DREAMers Get Major Support From Latino News Anchor Jorge Ramos

DREAMers Get Major Support From Latino News Anchor Jorge Ramos

by Jorge Rivas on November 22 2010, 3:15PM

He’s donated $20,000 to DREAMers’ scholarship funds.

Topics: DREAM Act

Today's Love: Our Miss California, By Way of Compton

Today’s Love: Our Miss California, By Way of Compton

by Jorge Rivas on November 18 2010, 6:03PM

Shanice McKinley wants the world to know that her hometown’s more than what you may think.

Topics: Celebrate Love