Stereotypes And Underrepresentation Of Latinos In The Media

Introduction
Consider how much media the average American consumes. As of 2022, the US average daily time spent with media is 8 hours and 14 minutes (Emarketer). When we delve into the media we consume on a daily basis, there are specific ideas, phrases, and trends that can influence our opinions. The roles of producers and actors within the sphere of representation relate to the treatment of particular groups. In discussions of Latino presentation, one controversial issue has been their misrepresentation and underrepresentation throughout the media. Latinos are also one of the largest minoritized groups in the U.S., making up 18 percent of the current population. However, despite their large population, they remain the most underrepresented

Common stereotypes that pertain to Latinos are the Latin lover, gangbanger, gardener, spicy Latina, and maid (Golash Boza). The portrayal of Latinos as these stereotypes does not necessarily mean that they are true nor that they are supported by evidence that further proves the idea. Along with the falseness, those who consider stereotypes to be true often fail to recognize the facts. According to Lawrence Blum, a professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, she states, “This fixity or rigidity is not an attribute of the generalization itself, but of the way it is held by the individual cognizer. One part of this mode of cognizing is that members of the stereotyped group are regarded as fundamentally the same... Another dimension of the fixedness is that the cognizer tends to be resistant to evidence of the falsity or misleadingness of the generalization.” (Lawrence Blum). Although acknowledging the falsity of Latino stereotypes is a great way of counteracting them, it doesn’t always work, especially when it is an idea that has been generally accepted or deeply embedded within society. An example of this is the Latino Threat Narrative. “A Latino threat narrative is a form of narrative where someone encodes his or her language with perceptions of Latino immigrants being a threat to American society.”

media, the validity of Latino stereotypes, and the promotion and consequences of media on Latinos must be evaluated at an ethical level. In order to combat the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Latinos, there must be more Latino producers, directors, and screenwriters to create media that accurately reflects who Latinos are. When considering the presentation of Latinos, the norm that is embedded in U.S. media, the validity of Latino stereotypes, and the promotion and consequences of media on Latinos must be evaluated at an ethical level. In order to combat the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Latinos, there must be more Latino producers, directors, and screenwriters to create media that accurately reflects who Latinos are. While limited by the possibility that white-based norms may be internalized and result in the promotion of the same messages that were endorsed by dominant-group media producers, it does not stop the possibility for more diversity and accurate representation of Latinos within the