Stop stigmatizing us as you dimensional characters — either voluptuous seductresses or maids that are submissive
Erika L. Sanchez
February 3, 2014 3:00AM (UTC)
This short article initially showed up on AlterNet.
If you decide to think your tv, you would think all Latinas are immaculately dressed spitfires or maids that are docile. With regards to Latino people—especially women—it’s as though the television got stuck into the 1950s.
While these identities aren’t in by themselves incorrect or harmful, the difficulty lies in the fact they are the only portrayals individuals are subjected to. Some people really like hoop-earrings and tight-fitting leopard-print skirts. Many of us are hardworking maids. Many of us are very educated. Some people are intimately assertive. Many of us can’t stand intercourse after all. Like everybody else, we are people with array complex experiences, desires and identities.
Some may argue it’s just TV, so just why make such a fuss? A study from through the Media that is hispanic Coalition ” The effect of Media Stereotypes on Opinions and Attitudes Towards Latinos, ” unearthed that “the most frequently held Latino stereotypes operate parallel to those mirrored within the media. ” When individuals had been expected to remember the sorts of roles they see Latinos play in tv and movie, their top three responses had been unlawful or gang user, gardener or landscaper and maid or housekeeper. Inevitably, contact with most of these functions will influence life that is real.
The report additionally discovered that although non-Latinos, for the many component, report having regular relationship with Latinos (44 % every day), being knowledgeable about Latino tradition (74 % state they have been significantly or extremely familiar), just 30 % say they individually know numerous Latinos (27 per cent know two or less). A lot more than a 3rd (38 %) connect to Latinos as soon as a month.
Impressionable individuals, those lacking critical-thinking abilities and people who haven’t any Latino friends are at risk of these misconceptions. These expectations aren’t just irritating, they’ve been dehumanizing and exhausting. After all, how do all females from 21 countries, such as the usa, all have a similar identities that are sexual? Why don’t we stop thinking in binaries, individuals.
Here you will find the six many typical misconceptions Latinas are sick and tired of working with.
1. We are exotic. Just exactly What amuses me personally relating to this a hotlatinwomen.net latin dating person is it appears as though we are unusual jungle animals. We as soon as had a fellow ask me personally where I happened to be from because I experienced a “very exotic nose. ” (in addition, I’m from Chicago and my nose is my damn nose! ) Kat Lazo, a Colombian and Peruvian feminist news activist, distributed to me her experience of being truly the only Latina inside her white community. She states the males thought of her as “something foreign. ” The worst pickup line she actually is have you ever heard? “You’re the essential flower that is exotic’ve ever seen. ” Whoa.
Based on the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau populace estimates, roughly 52 million Hispanics reside in the usa, representing more or less 16.7 per cent associated with the U.S. Total population. Which makes individuals of Hispanic beginning the country’s biggest cultural or competition minority. The U.S. Hispanic population for July 1, 2050 is believed to attain 132.8 million, constituting around 30 % associated with U.S. Populace. Exactly How exotic are we, actually? Does “exotic” simply suggest non-white because white may be the standard? Fellas, don’t ever, ever make use of that term to anybody. Seriously.
2. We are hypersexual. Because we result from such hot climes that are exotic Latinas and black colored females (please be aware that some Latinas are black colored) are anticipated to desire intercourse night and day. Does not matter when or where, we simply can not assist ourselves! Life time’s “Devious Maids” has been justifiably eviscerated left and suitable for that really reason. How they were able to cram therefore numerous stereotypes into one show almost causes my head explode. Dior Vargas, a Latina feminist activist, has seen this expectation play down inside her expert life. In a job that is previous she had been the actual only real Latina on her behalf team. Whenever most of the guys she worked with began hitting because they assumed she was promiscuous on her, she felt it was. She claims it is worse on her behalf cousin. “My sis is darker-skinned and guys assume that she sleeps around and it is more sexual, ” she states.
Regrettably, this pigeon-hole does not only influence the method other people perceive us, it influences the way in which we view ourselves. Also realizing that these portrayals are absurd, some people may additionally get into the trap. The news is the fact that effective. Not only this, exactly what then have that stifling stereotype always hovering over you if you choose to be sexually assertive but? “Is that an integral part of me personally because I assumed which is the way I’m allowed to be? ” Vargas miracles. This mistaken belief can actually wreak havoc on our psyches, therefore please why don’t we all just allow it perish. All of us are biologically exactly the same, therefore Latinas obviously do not have a greater tendency for intercourse.
