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Kennedy Center Honors diversity reviewed

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A panel has been convened to review the workings of the Kennedy Center Honors following the uproar last year over charges that Latino artists have been unfairly shutout of the prestigious program.

Controversy ensued last fall after a National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts Chairman Felix Sanchez called out Kennedy Center President Micheal Kaiser in a tense exchange that prompted Kaiser to let loose an “f-bomb” (and, later, a public apology for the bad language).

The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes the country’s top performing artists and luminaries. But it’s honored just two Hispanic artists — among dozens of artists — since the program began more than three decades ago, the Washington Post initially reported,  setting off  a scandal that soon made national news.

This morning The Post reports that a newly formed committee will review the “heretofore opaque” selection process.  And Washington’s newspaper of record has a few suggestions of Latino artists the Kennedy Center should add to its Honors roll. You can find the list here.