2 Perception: Single Story--Samantha Clark

I stepped back and looked at the negative stereotypes that are often portrayed in Latinos across television, website, and other forms of social media. Overall, I found that women are most represented with a negative stereotype. Women from this cultural groups are represented as being poor—most of them not speaking any English and working as a housemaid.  Additionally, I found that in the media, another majority of Latino women are portrayed as sensual. For the most part, Latino men are characterized as being lazy.

I found many instances, especially movies, where Latino’s were the housemaid for a rich, American family. For example, in the movie Spanglish (movie trailer attached) Flor, a poor Hispanic woman, works as a housekeeper for a very wealthy American family. This movie makes fun of the stereotype that Hispanics come to America to find work but are uneducated and cannot speak the English Language. It matters that this messages is presented in films because it makes people think that Hispanic women are poor and ignorant. This single story of Latino women makes the majority of Americans think that Latino’s women are only good for being named “Maria” and becoming your housemaid. This statement is limiting because there are plenty of very successful Latino women that work as lawyers and doctors, and are in fact very educated.

In addition, I also found that when Latino women are not being portrayed as poor maids, they are portrayed as sensual. I think the biggest example of this stereotype is of Sofia Vergara in the TV show Modern Family. Her character Gloria, is always seen wearing tight, revealing dresses and she is always struggling with her English. She is also married to a “sugar daddy.” Actresses such as Jennifer Lopez have also fallen victim to this stereotype. This stereotype is also very limiting because it portrays a social implication that Latino women need to be sexy, and that they come to America to marry a rich man with their only skill being that they are beautiful. I do think that many Latino women are beautiful, but it is important to remember that many of them also know how to speak English.

I also found that the media portrays many Latino men as lazy. I found many meme’s such as the one below. For the most part, these men are portrayed as the stereotype that they are only good for mowing lawns and eating tacos. This meme is limiting because it says “lives in U.S for ten years, still can’t speak English.” This makes the viewer believe that Latinos are too lazy too learn the English language when in fact, many may know the language but they are more comfortable speaking their native Spanish language.

Overall, I found this assignment to be very interesting. I grew up in Arizona and there were a lot of Latinos that lived in my community. They were the minority race, and with that came a lot of negative stereotypes. I think that a lot of stereotypes generate from the media.   

Spanglish trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXkSBXrdDxs

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family: 

Latino Men, lazy meme: