The Spanish-language Univision network based in Miami announced on March 25 that President Barack Obama will offer a bilingual message directly to millions of viewers in the United States and Latin America during the Lo Nuestro (Our Own) awards for Latino music. Said José Uva of Univision Communications Inc. “It is an honor for President Obama to speak to millions of Hispanics during the Lo Nuestro Award, one of the most celebrated nights in Latino music on Spanish-language television.” According to the executive, “This proves the continuing grow and influence of Hispanics in this country and the importance of speaking to them directly.”
This 21st edition of the Lo Nuestro will feature some of the stars of Latino music and will be held at the BankUnited Center in Miami on the evening of March 26. Among the artists and acts nominated for awards are AK-47, El Chapo de Sinaloa, Diana Reyes, Los Tigres del Norte, Juanes, Maná, and Café Tacuba.
According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), during the 2009 presidential campaign, some 9.7 million Hispanics voted as compared to the 7.6 million in 2004. Observers indicate that this re-drew the political maps for key states such as Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. A majority of Hispanics favored President Obama’s candidacy over Senator John McCain, a fellow advocate of immigration reform.
Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America.
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