Hispanics in Media: Making Inroads?
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Abstract
As the U.S. Hispanic population continues to grow, we (as U.S. Hispanic writers and producers) question whether our ethnic group - in all its richness, complexities, and diversity - is accurately and authentically depicted in television. This article points to Hispanic stereotypes on TV, particularly in comedy shows, and calls for more U.S. Hispanic writers and producers to become part of the creation process. By allowing Hispanic writers to tell their own stories - and Hispanic producers to bring them to fruition - U.S.-produced TV series will be able to create authentic characters that resonate with Hispanics in this country, and entertain diverse audiences coast-to-coast.
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“There’s no place like home.” Home. The place where we were born; the place that identifies us and carves us into the individuals that we are today. It is the place where we feel most comfortable, where we first learned our values and discovered our heritage. No matter where we go, “home” is the place we aspire to always carry with us.
I am a huge fan of “Modern Family.” The ABC comedy is one of the reasons I personally look forward to Wednesday nights. Much to my chagrin, I can’t help but feel that one of my favorite, most identifiable characters is being reduced to a stereotype. The character of Gloria – portrayed by the stunningly beautiful and talented comedic actress Sofia Vergara – is depicted as a loving wife and mother who is passionate, fearless, and delightfully frank. These are the qualities I most admire about Gloria, and those that shine in Sofia Vergara’s gifted portrayal of her character. However, we are gradually losing sight of the smart, witty, Gloria who values family above all else – the woman who challenged her sister-in-law to jump into a pool to prove that “she was sorry” for having accused her of being a “coal digger.” In those first episodes, Gloria was wonderfully genuine, fresh, and witty. However, the words we hear coming out of Gloria’s mouth lately are lines such as “I’m Colombian. I know a fake crime scene when I see one.” Or that she comes from a line of “fishermen and smugglers.” Is that what Colombians are? Really?
I’m not Colombian. I am Hispanic, however – and for those who may be thinking “same thing,” I beg to differ. Hispanics are incredibly diverse; our traditions, language and heritage have commonalities, but are also marked by rich differences. And even though I am not of the same Hispanic nationality as Sofia Vergara (or her character), I have a visceral reaction when I hear punch lines like those I just mentioned. I worry that, in the pursuit of a surprising punch line, the professionals who are writing them – who are putting words in the mouth of that character and the actress who portrays her – are all but lost as to who we are and how we can (and should) be authentically portrayed to audiences across this country.
It is that lack of authenticity – dare I say the word “stereotype” again? – that has made past television series such as “Cane” fall short of its expectations. Whether in drama or comedy, when a Hispanic character is portrayed “from the outside in,” that character will inevitably fail to resonate with the more than 35 million Hispanics in this country – and will be reduced to a cartoon for the vastly diverse audience that watches them.
This is not to say that all Hispanic actors, in all situations, have been portrayed exclusively as maids, drug dealers, janitors, or gardeners. One of Jimmy Smits’ most notable roles, for example, was as lawyer Victor Sifuentes in the 1980’s drama “L.A. Law”– or as Congressman Matthew Santos in the Emmy-winning drama “West Wing.” But then, I ask myself: why was Ana Lucia the only survivor of Flight 815 on “LOST”? Why is the character of Richard – impeccably portrayed by Nestor Carbonell – not named “Ricardo”? Could it be that the name “Ricardo” would plummet us all back to the 1950’s, with a conga-wielding Ricky playing second fiddle to Lucy? (In my opinion, Desi Arnaz was one of the greatest comedic geniuses and most innovative producers in our industry – but that’s the subject of a separate article.)
Lest I fall into the trap of carrying a chip on my shoulder, I don’t mean to imply that all Hispanic actors in all roles have been reduced to thick-accented foils, particularly in comedy. But what I would like to see is more U.S. Hispanic writers and producers become part of the creative process that brings quality programs to television. This is not an easy task. As an entertainment professional for more than 20 years specializing in Spanish-language television, I continue to strive for realism and authenticity whenever I create characters, write or edit scripts. If that is difficult to accomplish in the Spanish language, it is much more difficult to accomplish in English.
I will always cringe at jokes that see us “from the outside in” -- and will always hope that we will one day be invited to the dinner table. All we ask of networks and Hollywood studios is to give us the opportunity to create characters that reflect the complexity of who we are; and that in writing comedy, the exaggeration that is inherent to the genre be based in reality. And all we ask of audiences is that they laugh with us, not at us.
Unlike Dorothy, most of us don’t aspire to go back to that physical place we call home. As we walk, run, or tread down the yellow brick road, we want to find the Emerald City … meet the Wizard … and become a real, authentic, contributing resident of Oz. In doing that, we ask that Hollywood allow us to contribute our heart, our brain, and our courage to the process. Let us bring our ruby slippers – and honor that part of us that we call Home.
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