Hector Tobar begins weekly column

California Editor David Lauter announces that Hector Tobar will begin writing a weekly column beginning in tomorrow's California section:

Those of you who read the tag line at the end of Friday's terrific Column One already know this news. But for the rest of you: I'm delighted to announce that Hector Tobar will begin writing a weekly California section column, the first of which will begin Tuesday.

Launching this column fulfills a major goal that we've had -- to add to our existing mix a columnist whose frame of reference includes the experience and culture of Southern California's Latino population. Hector's skill as a writer and his breadth of experience as a reporter make him the ideal person for this role.

Hector was born and raised in Los Angeles, the son of immigrants from Guatemala. He was a product of LA's public schools and earned a BA in Sociology and Latin American studies from UC Santa Cruz before coming to The Times 20 years ago through the Metpro training program. He worked as a reporter for the suburban sections, the city desk and the state staff before becoming a national correspondent and then a foreign correspondent, first in Buenos Aires and most recently as bureau chief in Mexico City. Along the way, he took a break from The Times to work as Features Editor at the LA Weekly and found time to earn a Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from UC Irvine. He is also the author of two books: a novel, “The Tattooed Soldier,” and “Translation Nation: Defining a New American Identity in the Spanish-Speaking United States.”

Please join me in congratulating Hector on his new assignment.

Comments

[Ms. Magdalena]

I read Hector Tobars' article and he hit right home for those of us with Hispanic heritage. Excellent writing! As my job entails me to work the predominately spanish speaking community-I relate. Let me tell you that when i'm done working , I make my way to my residence in Lakewood and it's a world apart from the "Mundo de Espanol ". I am looking forward to the next article. Thanks.

[Mike Robinson]

This paper now has a columnist focusing on Latinos? Took this long, huh?

When will there be a Latino sports columnist? Probably 3008, right?

Get a clue. There's a reason why the Times' circulation is declining faster than our economy.

Take a look around town. Who lives in Los Angeles County, your base? Latinos. And they don't subscribe to the paper because there's very little in the paper for them.

The Times needs to report and write about the community.

Mike Robinson