Chicago journalism has lost a part of what it is with the passing of Carlos Hernandez Gomez. While many outside of journalism may not have known his name, his reputation and work were widely respected within the industry and whether Chicagoland knows it or not, it owes much to him both for grilling politicos and keeping its interests at heart.
I am incredibly sad to learn that he has passed and even sadder that I never shared more than a few words with him. I first learned of Carlos' work when I was an intern at The Chicago Reporter. When I worked at the Daily Herald, his smooth delivery of hard news on WBEZ kept me company many times on the road from Chicago to Arlington Heights and back.
When I found out he moved to CLTV, I thought man, this guy doesn't stop. He never knew it, because I never told him, but I looked up to him. As a reporter, he was rock solid. As an accomplished Latino journalist, he was a role model.
And now, sadly, I can't tell him. The messages on his Facebook page read like a who's who of Chicago journalism mixed in with those of friends and family.
I wish I could have told him how much he inspired me to keep working. To keep asking questions. To keep digging. I know there are others out there who feel the same way. And somehow, I think he knows it, too.
We'll keep working Carlos, hopefully inspiring other Latinos to ask the same hard questions, to continue doing so until we get some answers, to pick up where you left off. Thanks, Carlos. For everything.
Find out more about Carlos and his work.
Filed under: Journalism
Tags: Carlos Hernandez Gomez, CLTV, journalism, The Chicago Reporter, WBEZ
My sympathy is with you, Fernando. I looked last night at his Facebook page and it also read of a who's-who of campaigning politicians right now. It's not any day you read "Rich Miller likes Dan Proft's comment on Carlos Hernandez Gomez's page."
Steve Patterson's was the best... and truly an inspiration.
The only reporter I know overheard to have shouted to-his-face "What the f*** are you thinking, Barack?"
I hope someone lives up to his legend soon. Even sweeter for that person to come from the Latino community.
You'll always have the inspiration he gave you.
I agree. You can never have enough hard-working journalists who ask the tough questions. He will be greatly missed.