Friday, January 28, 2011

Dear Time Warner Cable: Se Habla Ingles!

Several times now, Time Warner Cable has sent me letters and flyers offering me their other services (I already get my cable from them). For some reason, however, they send me correspondence in Spanish. I've never spoken to TWC in Spanish when I call them for service, so I assume they are seeing my last name and guessing I don't speak a lick of English. I can't decide if this says more about Time Warner's attitude towards Latinos, or the reputation of Latinos in general.

Contrary to popular belief, Time Warner Cable, Latinos DO speak English. Some of us were, believe it or not, born in this country and can communicate without you trying to cater to us.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

My Super Bowl articles for Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports asked me to write several articles about the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for those attending the Super Bowl. If you'd like to check them out (especially if you're looking for somewhere to go before or after the game) the articles are linked below:
Local Guide: Public transport to and from Super Bowl XLV
Local Guide: Where to eat before going to Super Bowl XLV
Where to go after the Super Bowl XLV in Arlington

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Thanks for nothing, Dallas Morning News

I try not to criticize the Dallas Morning News too much, especially since they've given me so many opportunities in the past, but then again, a little healthy criticism never killed anyone.

In yet another case of "what were they thinking," DallasNews.com posted audio of - gasp - GUNFIRE on New Year's Eve in Oak Cliff. There is no context or additional information given about the audio, except that the minute long clip was recorded somewhere in Oak Cliff. Now, the Morning News has spent the better part of two years analyzing and investigating Dallas' southern sector and how best to address the needs there. One problem is that, despite the progress, Oak Cliff can't shake its poor reputation. Why, then, would they continue to perpetuate the image that Oak Cliff is a war zone unfit for anyone to live in? Is this even really news?

We can't even be sure if all the sounds we are hearing in the clip are actual gunshots. Some of them certainly sound like it, but it could be a lot of fireworks as well. It's also not unusual to hear this in parts of north Dallas and the suburbs, so why bother posting it? We know it's a common occurrence in the OC, but without verification, context, or even location, what's the point other than to make the area as a whole look bad? We get enough stereotyping, and we don't need any more from our only major daily, thanks Morning News.