Maria Hinojosa

Her latest documentary “Lost in detention” premiered on PBS on Tuesday, October 18, marking the words of journalist María Hinojosa: “As long as I feel that I am still an inspiration, there are people without a voice to whom I can give them a voice, I will continue with my journalistic work”. The documentary based on a year of research into the management of immigration policies under the Obama administration is another of the deep journalistic works of this Latina, who is considered to be the greatest of her talents.

The work of a journalist is lonely, even so María takes the time to be with her two children and husband when she is not dedicated to her work. Social life is something that no longer fits in your vocabulary.

Do you feel that you are one of those women who inspires, who is breaking the stereotype as a Latina journalist?

I still feel like I'm still breaking the stereotype and making a difference. We are in 2011 and it is the first time that PBS has a Latin presenter in prime time (prime time). I was also the first Latina to host a radio show on NPR. Still in this year I can be the first in this and I wonder is it serious? It is crazy. What inspires me is meeting young journalists who tell me that my work inspires them and encourages me to continue.

What do Latinas lack, why even if we are educated and creative do we hold back?

It seems to me that Latinos in the United States receive confusing messages. Latina teens have the highest percentage of suicide attempts in the United States. On the one hand in this country they are telling you that you are beautiful, talented, that you are América Ferrera and on the other hand they are asking you what are you doing here? Why do not you go? Can you stop speaking Spanish? It's a confusing message for Latinas, so I'm not surprised.

In the HBO Latino documentary "The Latino List", María Hinojosa led the audience to sit "in the living room" with some of the most recognized Latino characters in the United States as if it were a few eleven times among childhood friends.

How do you do in that short time to achieve such an in-depth interview ?

A large part of my career as a journalist has been in interviews regarding complex issues, speaking with people who have no voice or communities that have been forgotten. Most of my interviews, including those on my TV show, have a particular style and structure. There is always something I am looking for in every interview, this is how I start. In the case of The Latino List there were no time limits, the only person who could not stay long was Eva Longoria. The idea in that case was to take the time to make [the interviewees] feel completely relaxed, even when they were important public figures. My idea was to make them forget all the short interview and response structures they are used to. This process involved getting these important characters,powerful and of recognition they will manage to relax.

"What is inherited is not stolen" and although initially María did not think about becoming a journalist, she is very clear where her communicative curiosity comes from.

Do you feel that the talent you have as a journalist is part of your nature or is it part of learning at school?

If I go back to my deep roots I think it has to do with my mom. She had no "tongue hairs" to speak to anyone. We were all immigrants, we all came from Mexico, but my mom started a conversation with those who least expected it. What if I was born with this? I don't think so, but I clearly remember seeing the way my mother spoke fearlessly to a poor person in Mexico or to a very rich and powerful person in the United States and even make them realize their racism if that was what she felt on the part of they. When I was a child, there were no Latinos doing journalism except Gerardo. What if I thought it was something I could do? Of course not. I dreamed about it but it was not something real for me, because I never saw anyone like me doing it.

Maria is Mexican by birth, raised in Chicago, and a current resident of Harlem in New York. Bilingual, who like almost everyone usually uses Spanglish all the time, with a passion that sounds like Mexico.

What does Mexico mean to you?

The Mexico of today is not the Mexico of my youth. The first journalists who inspired me were Latinas: Helena Poniatowska or other progressive women who wrote for newspapers in Mexico. The first women who made me believe that I could do it were not from here, they were Mexican. At the time, being a young journalist, Mexico meant possibilities and inspiration. Throughout my life Mexico has meant family, understanding and affection. Before, it also meant tranquility and freedom, but the reality is that Mexico is no longer that. Now this has been reversed; I feel super safe in New York and Chicago and although I also feel so in Mexico, I know that it is not. Our family has felt the violence. On the other hand, Mexico continues to inspire me in terms of democracy and the active role of the people.

How do you separate yourself from the subjects in your stories being such a sensitive person?

I understand the importance of maintaining distance, because if there is no such distance you become part of the story. However, journalists must have hearts. As the years have passed, I have allowed my vulnerability to show more. When I did my job with the gangs, I asked them, "Why did you decide to talk to me?" and they said to me "Because you stayed there, because you showed your interest without fear".

"I love listening to. I like people to feel comfortable telling me their stories."

Photo: Timothy Greenfield Sanders