Why the title S.P.I.C.? Although it’s an acronym, it can be misconstrued as a disparaging term. Am I trying to be provocative? Nope. See, years ago I noticed that many Latiné (aka Latino or LatinX) immigrants still learning English have no clue what spic means.
The first time I realized this was in 2004. I was producing a film titled FIND ME GUILTY. At the time, I told one of the lead producers (who shall remain unnamed) that Roger Zamudio (another Latino), Rita Branch (the only female producer on FMG) and I wanted fair pay for all the years of hard work we had done on the film as producers. After all, if every white male producer on FMG was being paid handsomely for all their years of hard work, then why were the only 2 Latino producers – and the only female producer – not being treated just as equally? To be very transparent: each of us (Roger, Rita & I) were individually paid $33,333.33 for 5 years of work, and the film’s budget was $13 million. The 3 of us just wanted fair compensation.
Not liking what I said, that producer (a straight, white male) -- turned to someone else... and said: “Let’s see what this spic wants”. I overheard him, and I confronted said producer.
I know the incident needed to be further reported, so later on I told Roger Zamudio (the other Latino producer) what had happened. However, Roger (who speaks English as a second language) said: “I don’t know what spic means”. For context, Roger had been living in the USA for years, but to be fair -- there are words he’s still learning. We all are. That’s when I realized that many Latinos may not know they’re being called a disparaging term behind their backs.
I further confirmed this when I asked my mom and dad if they knew what spic meant. Both replied “No” – and they’ve lived in the USA for decades!! It hit me; this issue is bigger than we realize. Let’s be clear. Spic is an English word. It does NOT exist in Spanish. Why would it? Why would Latinos (aka Latinés, or LatinX people) call themselves an insulting term? English speakers invented the word "spic" in 1903, when they propelled Panama to cede from Colombia.
Panama used to be part of Colombia. But the USA wanted the Panama Canal for themselves, so they used military might and aggression to rule the Panama Canal. So during this event in 1903, and while taking the Panama Canal away from Latinos (Latiné), the USA invented the term spic.
It follows that many Latinos who are still learning English don’t know what it means. This language issue is specific to non-English speaking immigrants. How many times has an English speaker called a Latino SPIC – yet, it goes unreported because that person has no clue they’re being called a disparaging term in English? I repeat, this issue is bigger than we realize. Specially, because when I was 9 years old a white kid called me SPIC for the first time - and it was also not the last. So, one could comfortably assume that, at some point in their lives, both of my own parents have been called SPIC... but had zero clue what it meant. But now they know, because I explained it to them.
Not wanting to keep other non-English speaking Latinés in the dark about this longer, I’m using cinema as my tool. Hence, the title and acronym of S.P.I.C. The acronym S.P.I.C. comes from what my childhood friend told me when they explained the meaning of the word spic to me. The acronym is a reclamation, with the goal of self-empowerment.
This little film touches on many themes. Not just class, race and immigration themes, but a variety of a lot of themes. And... I hope this short film can also show other Latiné people our beautiful, varied, rainbowed, intricate history and identity-- and also their strength.
Bringing it to life has been a six-year journey; from development, to finding incredibly passionate collaborators, raising funds, and finally... making it. The story is loosely inspired by events from my childhood. Heidi (the film’s director, and my wife) would hear all my family stories – and encouraged me to write the script.
Since I’d be revealing certain scars and stigmas that my family had worked hard to overcome, I was reluctant to write about these events. But after a lot of development, I found a way. Yet, my parents were upset I was revealing certain details about our family. When I finally showed both of my parents the completed short script they became supportive of the project. They both even make small cameos in the movie, and are very proud of it.
I also knew I wanted Heidi to direct the film, but she hesitated. As a white woman, she understood the careful and immense responsibility required to direct a film about a BIPOC family. But I strongly felt that if she didn't direct this no one would. She intimately knows and understands my family like no one else does – after all, she is my wife. Plus, to truly believe in integration -- then we all need to be working together. S.P.I.C. reflects this spirit.
Making this project and bringing it to life has generated immense purpose for us all.
Thank you to our whole cast and crew who made this lovely experience and an incredible film. Without them... this story would not be the same.
Thank you, to all of you. Thank you for your time. We hope you enjoy the film.
- Johnny Sánchez Writer/Producer of S.P.I.C.
www.SpicFilm.com
The first time I realized this was in 2004. I was producing a film titled FIND ME GUILTY. At the time, I told one of the lead producers (who shall remain unnamed) that Roger Zamudio (another Latino), Rita Branch (the only female producer on FMG) and I wanted fair pay for all the years of hard work we had done on the film as producers. After all, if every white male producer on FMG was being paid handsomely for all their years of hard work, then why were the only 2 Latino producers – and the only female producer – not being treated just as equally? To be very transparent: each of us (Roger, Rita & I) were individually paid $33,333.33 for 5 years of work, and the film’s budget was $13 million. The 3 of us just wanted fair compensation.
Not liking what I said, that producer (a straight, white male) -- turned to someone else... and said: “Let’s see what this spic wants”. I overheard him, and I confronted said producer.
I know the incident needed to be further reported, so later on I told Roger Zamudio (the other Latino producer) what had happened. However, Roger (who speaks English as a second language) said: “I don’t know what spic means”. For context, Roger had been living in the USA for years, but to be fair -- there are words he’s still learning. We all are. That’s when I realized that many Latinos may not know they’re being called a disparaging term behind their backs.
I further confirmed this when I asked my mom and dad if they knew what spic meant. Both replied “No” – and they’ve lived in the USA for decades!! It hit me; this issue is bigger than we realize. Let’s be clear. Spic is an English word. It does NOT exist in Spanish. Why would it? Why would Latinos (aka Latinés, or LatinX people) call themselves an insulting term? English speakers invented the word "spic" in 1903, when they propelled Panama to cede from Colombia.
Panama used to be part of Colombia. But the USA wanted the Panama Canal for themselves, so they used military might and aggression to rule the Panama Canal. So during this event in 1903, and while taking the Panama Canal away from Latinos (Latiné), the USA invented the term spic.
It follows that many Latinos who are still learning English don’t know what it means. This language issue is specific to non-English speaking immigrants. How many times has an English speaker called a Latino SPIC – yet, it goes unreported because that person has no clue they’re being called a disparaging term in English? I repeat, this issue is bigger than we realize. Specially, because when I was 9 years old a white kid called me SPIC for the first time - and it was also not the last. So, one could comfortably assume that, at some point in their lives, both of my own parents have been called SPIC... but had zero clue what it meant. But now they know, because I explained it to them.
Not wanting to keep other non-English speaking Latinés in the dark about this longer, I’m using cinema as my tool. Hence, the title and acronym of S.P.I.C. The acronym S.P.I.C. comes from what my childhood friend told me when they explained the meaning of the word spic to me. The acronym is a reclamation, with the goal of self-empowerment.
This little film touches on many themes. Not just class, race and immigration themes, but a variety of a lot of themes. And... I hope this short film can also show other Latiné people our beautiful, varied, rainbowed, intricate history and identity-- and also their strength.
Bringing it to life has been a six-year journey; from development, to finding incredibly passionate collaborators, raising funds, and finally... making it. The story is loosely inspired by events from my childhood. Heidi (the film’s director, and my wife) would hear all my family stories – and encouraged me to write the script.
Since I’d be revealing certain scars and stigmas that my family had worked hard to overcome, I was reluctant to write about these events. But after a lot of development, I found a way. Yet, my parents were upset I was revealing certain details about our family. When I finally showed both of my parents the completed short script they became supportive of the project. They both even make small cameos in the movie, and are very proud of it.
I also knew I wanted Heidi to direct the film, but she hesitated. As a white woman, she understood the careful and immense responsibility required to direct a film about a BIPOC family. But I strongly felt that if she didn't direct this no one would. She intimately knows and understands my family like no one else does – after all, she is my wife. Plus, to truly believe in integration -- then we all need to be working together. S.P.I.C. reflects this spirit.
Making this project and bringing it to life has generated immense purpose for us all.
Thank you to our whole cast and crew who made this lovely experience and an incredible film. Without them... this story would not be the same.
Thank you, to all of you. Thank you for your time. We hope you enjoy the film.
- Johnny Sánchez Writer/Producer of S.P.I.C.
www.SpicFilm.com