ABC Finally Issues Formal Apology to Boricuas for A Positive Image

Months after it began a protest against ABC for a controversial line from the canceled "Work It" sitcom that equated Puerto Ricans to drug dealers, Boricuas for a Positive Image finally received a formal apology from the network.

Here is a two-part segment from New York City's local ABC station that chronicles the efforts from BFAPI.

The weekly demonstrations continued every Thursday night in front of the ABC's New York City headquarters, and even though critics said that BFAPI would never get an apology from ABC's corporate team, they did, and as you can see from the interview, good things have begun to happen.

In the meantime, the movement gained attention, both on the mainland and on the island, including the following video from The Puerto Rican Alliance for Awareness (PRAA), which got over 30,000 views in a week, when it was released at the end of February.

All because of a few seconds from a sitcom. And you all thought it couldn't be done. 

After Offering ABC a Two-Week Grace Period, Boricuas For a Positive Image to Resume Protest on March 8

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT NYCLATINOPOLITICS.COM BY JULIO PABON

The two-week grace period that Boricuas For a Positive Image (BFPI) had extended as a courtesy to ABC-TV for their efforts to schedule a meeting runs out on March 8th, 2012.

So on Thursday March 8th we look forward to seeing all our friends and new acquaintances again on 66th Street and Columbus Avenue. This protest was originally scheduled for Disney in front of their Times Square store and their Broadway production of the Lion King. However, BFPI wanted to keep to their word of trying to resolve this before it escalates and changed the protest back to 66th St & Columbus Avenue.

It will be like a reunion of folks who have been seeing each other every Thursday for a record seven demonstrations in a row. I believe that might be a record for Boricua protest in this country. Boricuas and friends demonstrating for seven weeks in a row, who said we were not disciplined and consistent?

ABC-TV did reach out after our initial meeting with the local New York affiliate, WABC. They confirmed that they would meet with BFPI and they set the date for the week of March 19. Obviously ABC-TV has no urgency in meeting with the Puerto Rican community, therefore, BFPI has no urgency in postponing the protest. On March 8th the two-week grace period is up, BFPI complied with our promise now we will be back in front of WABC-TV in New York City.

It’s incredible how a major business entity would take so long in meeting with a consumer base that they are eager to attract over a problem that is easy to resolve.  The good thing about all of this is that it shows clearly what we have been saying all along: Ellos no nos entienden.  Since they don’t understand us it is clear that whomever they have advising them on “Latino issues” is not respected, or that person, or persons don’t understand us either.

Under the umbrella of “Latinos,” Boricuas make up the second largest Latino community in the country, but you would not guess that from the way ABC-TV has been handling this problem that began on January 3rd with the premier of the sitcom, “Work It” and those insulting words: “I’m Puerto Rican, I would be great at selling drugs.” Part of the problem is that we have been dormant for so long with few if any major voices on both local, or national level that in reality we have been erased from the radar of national Latino politics.

It appears that Puerto Ricans only exist in our own reality, in our own localized communities with our own festivals and parades that many times do not represent our true nature. Thank God for Sonia Sotomayor who upon being nominated to the nations highest court caused some attention to be given to the Puerto Rican community. Thanks also to internationally recognized performers like Calle 13 who win so many awards at the Latin Grammy’s that Puerto Rico, our flag and our image get highlighted on a national and international level above the umbrella, “Latino.”

As I had stated before, in the long run we will thank ABC-TV for helping us unite and wake up our dormant community. Back in 1968 former Black Panther leader, Eldridge Clever describing the state of many in the black community who were not responding to many abuses against them wrote in his book, “Soul On Ice” that the black community was in a “state of Novocain.” That description of the black community back then is so applicable to the Puerto Rican community today, our community is in a state of Novocain.  But thanks to this ABC-TV issue that started with a show produced in California by people who do not understand our community has boiled over to the streets of New York and from the emails and comments we receive is slowing growing in Chicago, Kissimmee, Orlando and Miami Florida, Boston, San Diego and Puerto Rico.

The longer ABC-TV takes to resolve this unimportant issue to them, the stronger our community gets fighting on this very important issue for us.

I look forward to seeing all of you and more on Thursday March 8th, 2012 on 66th St. & Columbus Avenue, NYC. Pass it on to your friends and let’s take a bigger crowd than ever to let ABC-TV know, “We are Puerto Rican and we don’t sell drugs!

Boricuas For a Positive Image Enters 5th Week of ABC Protest: They Say They Will Only Get Stronger

Most of the online world has moved on after the Work It "Puerto Rican Drug Dealer" fiasco helped to cause the show's cancelation after only two episodes. Yet, the grassroots group Boricuas For a Positive Image continues to demonstrate every Thursday night in front of ABC's New York headquarters.

It appears that even if BFPI is the only group that is asking to meet with ABC and discuss how the network can move forward with the Puerto Rican community, they will eventually achieve their goal. On a side note, ABC recently announced a development deal with adopted Redeble John Leguizamo. Who know where that goes? But in the meantime, BFPI shows no signs of stopping, as nyclatinopolitics.com reports:

5th. Protest At ABC! – Where Are We?

For the 5th consecutive week we had a very well organized and vibrant Demo in front of ABC yesterday. Again it was unexpected. It was obvious that the security personnel were not expecting anyone to show. Same with the NYPD. AS A RESULT WE SURPRISED EVERYONE & you should have seen the reaction when we began the chants with 5 then 10, eventually close to another 100 folks.

It’s obvious that while some think this issue is over (that is what ABC executives believe) this is not the reality. The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) has tried unsuccessfully to convince execs of ABC that this is not a movement that has gone away simply because the show was canceled and they too have found it difficult to get the message across. ABC no respeta a nadie en nuestra comunidad.

This incorrect view from ABC and others plus the fact that we have been ignored by much of the mainstream media would give the impression that we are a void onto ourselves, or like one reporter friend told me. “this issue in not important.” Something that could be no further from the truth. The mere fact that over 100 and up to 200, majority Boricuas have been demonstrating every week under all weather conditions and that is not news is incredible!

What none of these folks understand is that slowly this movement is touching the hearts & minds of Boricuas & others who once they are made aware of the facts are agreeing with us? Just like the many non-Latinos that walk by 66th St. while we are demonstrating and ask us about the issue and leave giving us the “thumbs up,” or the number of truck drivers that honk their horns when they drive by reading out signs.

This can also be seen from the emails & comments we get plus the new faces we have seen in the 5 demonstrations. Young, senior, male, female, labor & religious. I personally like going to an activity for our community and not seeing the same people all the time.

Bottom line is that this movement has touched a nerve. Particularly in the Puerto Rican community. A nerve that appears to bother and create discomfort for some. Why? We can speculate all we want, but something to consider is that Boricuas being the second largest Latino sector in the USA (4.7 million) and attached (directly or indirectly) with another 3.7 million on an island (that is another political issue onto itself) makes a very dangerous brew if united on anything. There are many people including among our own that would prefer that our community be “undisturbed.” Why wake up a community that has so much to scream about. Just look at any statistic regarding the Puerto Rican community and if that does not affect you, or get you pissed you are not paying attention.

As such we are asking all of you to join us in re-doubling your efforts to show that our community is very much alive and ready to defend ourselves when insulted, or attacked. Please continue to Send notices to all your contacts, family members, neighbors. Invite some members of Boricuas For A Positive Image (BFPI) to talk at your meetings, or  schools. Bring up the issue in any meeting from Tenants Association, to union delegate meetings. Help us expand the information that is growing. Inform your friends through your Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube, etc. If you have contacts in another city, or state, let them know what is happening here in NYC. If you have still not called ABC, please do and tell them that they need to apologize and meet with our community.

Soon we will be meeting to discuss ways to move this struggle to its next level. We will share this information with everyone via this page. If you have any ideas, or comments that could help build this struggle please write a comment at nyclatinopolitics.com and we will read it.

While many think this struggle is dying, or over they don’t understand that in reality it has not really begun. This might be the year of the Dragon, but this Pitirre is about to hit the eagle hard.

1 Hour For Boricua/Latino Pride & Respect!

Thursdays 5:30 to 6:30 PM 66th St. & Columbus. Come bring your family, come bring your class you will feel great upon leaving.

VIDEO of Boricuas for a Positive Image ABC Demonstration: January 19, 2012

More than 200 people demonstrated again at ABC's headquarters in NYC on Thursday night to demand that ABC apologize for airing the now-canceled show "Work It" and meet with the organizers of the Boricuas for a Positive image group. 

Here is a video of Thursday's demonstration. Photos by Rebecca Beard. Music by Mercedes Sosa.

“We never asked for the show to be canceled, our demands are simple: 1. A public apology and 2. A meeting to make sure that this does not happen again,” stated Mr. Lucky Rivera, the group’s co-founder.  He continued, “We don’t want to be here again next year, or sometime in the future because the problem has never been addressed by cancelling the show."

Mr. Julio Pabón, the group's other co-founder stated, “The fact that ABC has not had the professional courtesy to respond to any of our communities concern is adding insult to injury,”. He added, “ABC Network’s cancelation of the sitcom “Work It” is not enough for a community that is tired of being insulted.”

Other actions planned by the group are reaching out to other Puerto Rican organizations to also issue a statement. Reaching out to those elected officials who have yet to issue a statement and the organization is studying the possibility of a boycott of Disney who is the parent company of ABC.

TONIGHT in NYC: “ABC Cancelled the Show, But Protest Will Continue”

The protest against ABC for it's airing of the now-defunct "WORK IT" show will still continue tonight at 5:30 at ABC's corporate headquarters.

Boricuas For A Positive Image

For Info: Mr. Rivera: 917-709-2219

ABC has cancelled the sitcom: “Work It.” Though they might believe that this will make the protest STOP, they are WRONG. The Boricua For A Positive Image, the founding group of community, labor and religious leaders that have been protesting the insulting comment, “I’m Puerto Rican I would be great at selling drugs,” stated that their protest against ABC that began over two weeks ago would continue.

“We never asked for the show to be cancelled, our demands are simple: 1. A public apology and 2. A meeting to make sure that this does not happen again,” stated Mr.Lucky Rivera the group’s co-founder.  He continued, “We don’t want to be here again next year, or sometime in the future because the problem has never been addressed by cancelling the show.”

Mr. Julio Pabón, the groups other co-founder stated, “The fact that ABC has not had the professional courtesy to respond to any of our communities concern is adding insult to injury,”. He added, “ABC – Network’s cancellation of the sitcom “Work It” is not enough for a community that is tired of being insulted.”

The group is adamant about an apology and meeting and has continued to organize for another demonstration this Thursday, January 19th, 2012 from 5:30PM to 6:30 PM sharp.

Other actions planned by the group are reaching out to other Puerto Rican organizations to also issue a statement. Reaching out to those elected officials who have yet to issue a statement and the organization is studying the possibility of a boycott of Disney who is the parent company of ABC.

WHAT: Third Protest Thursdays ABC TV network

WHEN: Thursday, January 19th, 2012

TIME:    5:30 to 6:30 PM @ 66th St. & Columbus Ave.

 

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Boricuas for a Positive Image Demonstration at ABC Corporate HQ

This Thursday night, a committed group went out to ABC HQ in New York to demand that ABC apologize for its now infamous "Work It" Puerto Rican Drug Dealer Joke and ask ABC that they meet with them to discuss how one of the country's largest networks can begin to portray Puerto Ricans (and all Latinos) in a more positive light.

Photos by Rebecca Beard of RebeccaBeard.com and music is "Boricua en la Luna" by el GRAN SILVIO.

VIDEO: Boricuas for a Positive Image in New York City

Originally posted on NYC LATINO POLITICS.

Boricuas for a Positive Image will join the NYC Chapter of  the Labor Council of Latin American Advancement on Thursday January 12 at 5:30 pm at the front of the ABC Building on 66th and Columbus in New York City.

Here is a video of the initial demonstration from January 5. At the end WABC's TV José Torres gives the group a thumbs up.