People are crying for Diversity at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

In a news article published by Richard Connelly, he reports that there has been an outcry over the lack of diversity in the staff of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR). The leader of this outcry is Ben Mendez, a political activist and spokesperson for the National Hispanic Professional Organization. He claims that that there are only 7 minorites represented in the 320 member board. Of the 42 executives, there is only 1 minority. He also claims that the HLSR is a money-making business, and not non profit as they claim. The HLSR released a repsonse to these accusation, saying that Mendez has "presented a list of inaccurate statements and facts accusing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's volunteer leadership and salaried management of deception and non-compliance with state and federal requirements for non-profit organizations".

I know many people that have participated in, and have worked for this organization. I have never heard of it being in any way exclusive of participants, employees, or spectators. I think that this Mendez should look closer at the actual facts, and not jump to conclusions just to have his name bandied about in the press. For the full story please see Diversity.