Protesters tell NBC, 'Seinfeld': Racism is no laughing
matter
By Carlos Rovira
and Leslie Feinberg
New York
Hundreds picketed outside the National
Broadcasting Corp. studios here May 14 to protest the racist
depiction of Puerto Ricans on the May 7 episode of "Seinfeld."
This Day of Outrage demonstration coincided with the airing of
the situation comedy's mega-media-hyped final episode.
Protests were also held in San Francisco, Philadelphia and
Miami.
Viewers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico were
outraged by the racist portrayals in the May 7 episode titled
"The Puerto Rican Day Parade."
In that episode the character "Kramer" sets the Puerto Rican
flag on fire "accidentally." Kramer then throws the flag on the
ground and repeatedly stomps on it, supposedly to put out the
flames. In response, an angry crowd rocks Jerry Seinfeld's
empty car. Kramer remarks, "It's like this every day in Puerto
Rico."
The episode also included anti-African American and anti-gay
"humor."
The May 14 protest was an inspiring sight to all
anti-racists. Women and men-Latino, African American, Filipino
and white, young and old-waived Puerto Rican flags. Many held
aloft placards with Jerry Seinfeld's picture and the slogan
"NBC/seinfeld: racist."
People roared in unison, "NBC you don't know, Puerto Ricans
are no joke!" Passersby and motorists offered vocal
support.
The protest was organized by Comité Puerto Rico '98,
a national coalition that includes the Puerto Rico Collective;
ProLibertad: Amnesty Campaign to Free the Puerto Rican
Political Prisoners; National Congress For Puerto Rican Rights;
Latinos For Positive Image; Almighty Latin King and Queen
Nation; National Conference of Puerto Rican Women; the
International Action Center; and Workers World Party.
This coalition was formed to highlight the 100th anniversary
of the U.S. military invasion and colonization of Puerto Rico.
It has called for a demonstration at the United Nations July
25, to demand Puerto Rico's right to independence and
self-determination.
'Adding insult to injury'
"It's beyond coincidence that the Puerto Rican flag was
burned on national television on the 100th anniversary of our
people's colonial plight," Frank Vergara, national coordinator
for Comité Puerto Rico '98, told the crowd. "Our demand
to stop the racism directed against Puerto Ricans here in the
U.S. is closely linked to our struggle for national
independence and self-determination in Puerto Rico. "
King Hector from the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation
informed those gathered at the rally about a sweeping police
raid and arrests of some 100 members that morning. The
organization had planned to mobilize its members for the Day of
Outrage.
Sonia Gonzalez from Latinos for Positive Image reminded
those gathered of the militant 1984 protests by Latinos,
African Americans and their supporters against the racist film
"Fort Apache, the Bronx." NBC later bought the rights to that
film.
Other speakers warned that NBC and Castle Rock will face a
boycott if the May 7 'Seinfeld' episode is distributed
worldwide in syndicated reruns.
Actor and movie director Rosie Perez told those gathered at
the rally: "I'm proud to be Puerto Rican. Shame on you, Mr.
Seinfeld."
Teresa Gutierrez from Workers World Party said, "As a
national organization we stand with you to condemn this racist
atrocity."
Monica Somocurcio said her organization, the International
Action Center, stood in support of "all our
communities-including the self-determination of the Puerto
Rican people."
Representatives from the Mexican, Filipino and African
American communities spoke about the commonality of oppression
and the need to unite to fight against it.
Erica Gonzalez, member of the Puerto Rico Collective and
spokesperson for Comité Puerto Rico '98, said: "Burning
our flag on television was insult added to injury. Puerto
Ricans are among the lowest paid, subjected to discrimination
of all sorts, racist police killings and inferior
education.
"Our rich culture and history as a people, along with the
many contributions we have made, is something mainstream
television programs keep hidden," Gonzalez concluded.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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