AP is reporting on a new internet-based campaign which states as its mission “combat stereotypes” of Latinos in the U.S.:

The site for the new “I am a Proud American” campaign, http://www.iamaproudamerican.com, was designed to cross ethnic and social lines and hook people, young and old, creators Bettina Nava and Max Fose said.

“Were hoping it’s edgy, it’s controversial,” said Nava, a Republican political consultant who has worked with Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz. “I don’t know what the impact this endeavor is going to have in the end, but we couldn’t sit back and hear this rhetoric.

The campaign is also producing a series of videos depicting cultural stereotypes to illustrate the point.

In one, a Hispanic man is mowing the lawn of a giant home in an affluent neighborhood. A blonde pulls up in a BMW and asks the man how much he charges to landscape the home. He replies, “Why would I charge to landscape my own yard?” An on-screen message appears: “I am an American.”

What’s driving this? A push for “comprehensive immigration reform”, according to the site:

We understand that we must work with the federal government to address illegal immigration. We seek a compassionate, fair approach. We cannot support unrealistic measures that would return our family members, friends and colleagues back to their country of origin. There is no lasting value in separating families, many of whom were recruited to the United States to complete a job.

Via / Yahoo! News

Image via I am a proud American