'CQ/CX' tells of Hernández's role in Jayson Blair scandal

"This happened so long ago," said Hernández, now a lecturer in communications at University of Houston-Victoria. After reading reviews of the play, she said it was clear some of it had been fabricated. "I wasn't let go by the Times as I understand the character in the play experiences," she said. "Actually I was hired [by the Times] and was preparing to move to New York when my father died. I decided to stay home with my family. And then I got the job at the Express-News."

While she understands changes were made for creative effect, she said she is pleased that the character (the only female in the play) contributes a significant part in the telling of the story.

How has she changed since the nearly decade-old scandal?

For one, she has let go of the fury and anger that she felt when Blair stole her story of a grieving mother. And while she now has more compassion for the Times, where she says she still has lots of friends, she continues to feel that the paper's commitment to diversity in the newsroom is "a lot of bullshit."

Of Hernández, Rivard said: "She's a natural-born reporter on the one hand and someone whose writing talents remind me of a young Sandra Cisneros on the other hand, a writer of uncommon grace and style — especially for her age. So I believe in the longer run people who didn't hear about Macarena the first time will hear about her later."

CQ/CX, though far from San Antonio today, could provide that opportunity soon. Greg Hinojosa, the new artistic director of the Woodlawn Theatre, already has his sights on producing it at their Black Box Theater — an idea that thrills Hernández. "I'd love to see it," she said, "and I hope they invite me for the Q&A." •

--

Gregg Barrios is a San Antonio-based poet, journalist, and playwright. His new play “I-DJ” premieres at Overtime Theater this summer.