Siembra la Palabra Digna is a movement to advance responsible speech in the local, national, and global media. Responsible speech is accurate, does not promote violence, and conveys truthful messages to vulnerable communities. “No Manches!” is a popular Mexican saying that literally translates as “Don’t Stain!” We want a media that respects all communities. “Siembra la Palabra Digna” means literally to “Sow the Dignified Word.”

Siembra La Palabra Digna was started by the Media Literacy Project, based in Albuquerque, NM, in the fall of 2010, during a national movement headed up by presente.org called “Basta Dobbs!”  “Basta Dobbs!” held CNN accountable for false reporting on Latinos and immigrants through the Lou Dobbs Tonight show. Lou Dobbs was a CNN product, and more than anyone on network TV Dobbs profited greatly by demonizing Latinos and immigrants. Dobbs has said “I support the Minutemen Project and the fine Americans who make it up in all they’ve accomplished, fully, relentlessly, and proudly.” Through the strategic national effort of the Basta Dobbs campaign, we were able to get Lou Dobbs off the most widely viewed news network in the US!

We uphold this country’s first amendment but understand that with the right to free speech comes the duty to keep communities safe and healthy through responsible speech in media. When speech is not responsible speech it attacks people based on their actual or perceived race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, appearance, mental capacity, and any other distinction that might be considered by some as a liability. This is also known as hate speech, which covers written and oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting.  Hate speech is not protected in the First Amendment, and it is not a constitutional right.  There is a direct correlation between hate speech and hate crimes.  Hate speech also negatively impacts local, national, and global policies.

What part of the problem are we trying to solve?

Hate-based, anti-immigrant, anti-people of color, and anti-youth messages dominate today’s new media.  The sobering fact is that historically, poor folks, immigrants and queer people of color fare poorly in times of fear and uncertainty—especially in more isolated, rural communities.  We want to see policy that encourages responsible speech and protects communities from the negative impacts associated with hate speech.

What do we want?

1. We want to explore the impacts this trend is having on our communities through storytelling. This is an opportunity to self-identify needs and collectively develop solutions that encourage self-determination.
2. We want historically marginalized groups to participate in shaping society in a way that is meaningful to them. Training people in media production puts them in charge of telling their own stories.
3. We want to reduce violence in our communities and promote healthy and just living for our communities.
4. We want to increase community access to tools and opportunities for engaging in constructive dialogue.
5. We want to increase opportunities for our constituents to shape and impact their environment.