The More Latinos on the Big Screen, the More Stereotypes that are Generated

Thompson, Akoukou Nicole (Nov. 11, 2013) Mo' Latinos, Same Problems: Negative Portrayal of Latinos Continue in the Media, Despite More Latino Talent on the Screen 
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/3686/20131111/latinos-media-portrayal-television-latno-talent-negative.htm

Although the number of latinos on screen has risen, they are still bound by their stereotypical roles of the ditzy housewife, the compassionate prison inmate, the drug dealer, and the seductive housemaid. Although they are not always casted as negative roles, the amount of times that they are portrayed as negative influences outweighs the times that they are not, causing a detrimental stereotype towards latinos.  

   
These stereotypes are directed towards American audiences which will believe what is presented on the screen. The typical latino stereotypes include, latinos being portrayed as welfare recipients, less educated, spanish speakers, parents of multiple children, employed by Americans, and do not take care of their homes. Although most stereotypes geared towards Americans are negative, others allow audiences to view them as being family oriented, hardworking, religious, and honest. 

   
Rita Moreno, the only recipient of an Emmy a Grammy, and an Oscar said that portrayal of the hispanic women on the show “Devious Maids” was wrong and that those women did not exist. 

   
Although the numbers of latino writers behind the scenes has increased, the portrayal of hispanics on screen has not shifted towards a more accurate one. 

   
Even though characters like these are rare, Guillermo Diaz went from playing a drug dealers on the show “weeds” not plays the role of a CIA agent on the show “Scandal.” Naya Rivera, Sara Ramirez, and Rico Rodriguez, all interesting hispanic characters in their shows, they still do not authentically demonstrate culture and diversity, or illustrate what makes the Latino experience unique. 

Guillermo Diaz

"I was surprised that Eva Longoria developed that series. I hate to talk bad, because it is an effort at least, but these women do not exist."

  "I keep hoping that there is a role for a woman or man, actor, actress, to maybe win at least one Oscar nomination, and that has not happened because there is not such a role."

  "On one hand, it's great that the industry is more diverse but we have to look at what's being produced and question its authenticity."

     As a latin viewer myself, I do recognize the negative portrayal of the hispanic population as detrimental one. I live in a city where the convergence of American culture and hispanic culture in inevitable, so the viewers around me can understand the exaggeration of these stereotypes. However, not everyone lives with the amount of latinos that I do; peoples perceptions of the latin culture and community should not be tarnished because of what they see on the big screen. 

  Although the portrayal of hispanics has changed for the better throughout the years, the amount of negative stereotypes that a hispanic character generates outweighs all of the positives ones that can come from one well portrayed hispanic character. This is something that is not limited to Hispanics since I have noticed a growing amount of ethnicities being negatively portrayed. Although the exaggeration of any culture generates humor amongst the viewers, it is not a place for comedy to be geared since most of it is disrespectful and frankly, untrue.