Among these artifacts the apparent single story is that hispanics in America do not bring anything to the table aside from gang violence and blue collar work. It is a terrible message that is being deliver and placed in the minds of many at a very young age. It is critical that this view changes because it is so obviously seeping into all parts of our society. From interactions on the playground between children to politics--the difference between these two become harder to define. In the artifacts below this can be illustrated:
"When Mexico send its people, they're not sending their best...They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." -Donald Trump
This is a quote from Donald Trump made in the past year regarding immigration. Due to this close minded view immigration laws may take a serious turn if Trump is elected.
This picture above was found immediately upon searching hispanics in America. I am not to say that these kind of people do not exist at all, but they are not to be made the archetypes of an entire ethnic group to the point that it is the hottest result in an internet search.
This picture should be very recognizable, seeing as it is derived from the very popular television program Family Guy. In this show this hispanic woman plays the role of the family maid. In choosing to depict her as hispanic they add to the label that hispanics in America never amount to anything above blue collar work.
Overall this single story is so incorrect and so entrapping to this people. It is something of a pressing matter, especially in the midst of such hefty political campaigning. Such a story is limiting and discouraging. It is raising children that don't belong to this group to see people of this group in such a negative and lowly light. While discouraging those within the group leading them to believe they can never amount to anything more that low wage paying jobs or a life of crime.
From these artifacts it is painfully obvious how we in America tend to label these people and it is more so apparent that there is an incredible need for change and soon.
I think the images pulled up by a Google search can tell us a lot about society today, especially the stereotypes and views we hold. Not only does it illustrate the stereotypes, but is also strengthens the stereotypes in which we already believe. Even simple actions such as Google searches and clicking on images perpetuate these stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI love your quote from Donald Trump, as it really hits home how much of a problem this view is in our society. He started off his campaign saying that, and now he's the leading republican candidate. Clearly he wasn't alone in voicing those views.
ReplyDeleteI think you've made some great points about the single story we have of Latinos in America, but I also believe that even beyond pinning them as blue collar workers, we somehow let that invalidate their worth to us. I've personally known plenty of Hispanic people who have blue collar jobs and are extremely dedicated and honest working, and just want to provide a good life for our family. I really wish that was a side of the story we got more of in the media.
I thought it was interesting that you mentioned what a stereotype can do to the members of the stereotyped group. This, I think, is one of the saddest manifestations of stereotyping -- when people begin to believe the negative messages that surround them. It all just seems like part of the adversary's plan to make people forget their identities.
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