COLORLINES - Mónica Novoa

Mónica Novoa

Drop the I-Word Campaign Coordinator
Brooklyn, NY

Mónica Novoa is coordinator of the Drop the I-Word public education campaign, a platform for people nationwide to drop the dehumanizing, racist slur “illegals," and to ask that the media do the same. Ms. Novoa is a seasoned communications strategist and organizer and has implemented campaigns across issues, including immigration, preventive healthcare, technology and early literacy with the Matea Group in Washington, D.C., and Cause Communications and Ruder Finn in Los Angeles. Ms. Novoa is on the board of Homies Unidos, an organization dedicated to gang prevention and intervention with families and youth in Los Angeles. She has a degree in English Literature from California State University at Northridge, where she also helped establish both the nation’s first Central American Studies Program and research institute. Ms. Novoa lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Monica tweets at @MoniNovoa, and manages @DropTheIWord.

Undocumented Mothers Have Dreams, Too

by Mónica Novoa, Angy Rivera on May 11 2012, 9:01AM

One young undocumented activists is tired of politicians talking about the “poor choices” of immigrant parents. So she gave her mom a chance to set the record straight.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Who’s Working to Build a Better Future in Los Angeles? Start Here

by Mónica Novoa on May 8 2012, 10:06AM

From buses to community re-entry programs, the people of Los Angeles have spent the past two decades working tirelessly to transform the city’s racial and economic landscape. Here are three groups whose work stands out.

Topics: 1992 L.A. Riots

The Supreme Court and Dangerous Immigration Metaphors

by Mónica Novoa on April 27 2012, 12:15PM

Referring to people with as “illegals” is equivalent to referring to defendants awaiting trial as “convicted criminals.”

Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Drop the I-Word

UndocuMemes Show What’s So Funny About Today’s Immigration Battle

by Mónica Novoa on April 17 2012, 9:01AM

The big message here from activists? We’re human, and we can laugh, too.

Topics: Immigration

Does George Zimmerman’s Ethnicity Matter?

by Mónica Novoa on April 11 2012, 9:36AM

Zimmerman’s seemingly mixed identity has sparked a critical, if difficult dialogue about the entrenched nature of institutional racism. Monica Novoa talks to South L.A. organizer Alberto Retana about racism and racial justice among Latinos.

Topics: Trayvon Martin

Young Undocumented Activists Stand Up for Their Parents’ Dreams

by Mónica Novoa on April 5 2012, 9:27AM

When it comes to the DREAM Act, it’s been far too easy for some politicians to play the parent blame game. But activists refuse to throw their parents under the bus. We talked to both young people and their parents about their visions of justice.

Topics: Drop the I-Word, Immigration

The Horrific Death of Shaima Alawadi and the Many Lessons of Hate

by Mónica Novoa on March 30 2012, 9:53AM

The brutal slaying of a young Iraqi mother proves that hate language isn’t just about hurt feelings.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

The Plight of Transnational Women and How You Can Help Them

by Mónica Novoa on March 27 2012, 10:58AM

Monica Novoa speaks with Leilani Montes, a transnational mujer who celebrates and weaves the roles of organizer and advocate across her professional, activist and personal life.

Topics: Drop the I-Word, Gender & Sexuality, Immigration

Poll: Half of Latino Voters Think the I-Word Is Offensive

by Mónica Novoa on March 12 2012, 2:24PM

Nearly 50 percent of Latinos who participated in a recent study thought the phrase “illegal immigrant” was offensive. So why do trusted media outlets continue to use it?

Topics: Drop the I-Word

New York Times Offers Apology for Playing Games With People’s Lives

by Mónica Novoa on February 21 2012, 9:55AM

But we need to do more to hold media accountable for its depictions of immigrants.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Here Are Easy Ways to Have Tough Talks With Kids About Race

by Mónica Novoa on February 20 2012, 9:28AM

While we may think that we’re protecting kids by not talking to them about race, silence actually does more harm than good. Here’s what one expert says about how to meaningfully talk to kids about racial justice.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Is the New York Times Playing Games With People’s Lives?

by Mónica Novoa on February 17 2012, 9:52AM

The New York Times uses the i-word as the answer to a crossword clue. Help us reach out to demand a retraction.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Charlotte’s First Baby of 2012 Sparks Anti-Latino Hate. It’s Time to Drop the I-Word!

by Mónica Novoa on January 24 2012, 8:52AM

Some readers in Charlotte were outraged when the paper announced that the city’s first baby was Latino. The vitriolic hate that followed is another stirring example of why it’s important to Drop the I Word.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

How Immigrants Forced Media to Treat Them Like Humans in 2011

by Mónica Novoa on December 20 2011, 9:45AM

This year we gained valuable allies in our fight to add humane language into the discourse on immigration. But there’s much more to come in 2012.

Topics: 2012: What's Ahead?, Drop the I-Word

American Heritage Editor on ‘Anchor Baby’ Definition: ‘We Were Wrong’

by Mónica Novoa on December 7 2011, 11:17AM

Monica Novoa sits down with American Heritage Dictionary’s Executive Editor Steve Kleinedler to discuss the why and how they chose to define one of today’s most hot-button slurs.

Topics: Drop the I-Word, Immigration

Beyond Politics: How Undocumented Youth Can Find Emotional Support

by Mónica Novoa on December 2 2011, 11:30AM

The recent suicide of an undocumented teenager in Texas has shed new light on the unique emotional challenges that face thousands of young people in the U.S.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

Tell the Charlotte Observer to Drop the I Word

by Mónica Novoa on November 30 2011, 10:00AM

Young Latino activists in Charlotte are leading the charge to get the city’s leading paper to stop its use of racially charged language. Here’s how you can help.

Topics: Drop the I-Word

The Associated Press Updates Its Stylebook, Still Clings to I-Word

by Mónica Novoa on November 10 2011, 10:15AM

AP editors insist that the word is accurate, even though it dehumanizes immigrants. Make your voice heard in time for the 2012 edition.

Topics: Drop the I-Word