Barriers and Boundaries of Latinos: Media Representations and Stereotypes - Term Paper Example

? Barriers and Boundaries of Latinos: Media Representations and Stereotypes December 8, Introduction Stereotypes within society continue to be a main proponent, specifically among groups of people which are highlighted for different actions, beliefs and attitudes. A stereotype which is often seen through different mediums is with the minority group of Latinos. There are a set of stereotypes which take place with the propaganda that is noted through politics, media and other mediums with Latino groups. These become believed as a part of the propaganda tactics and often create negative stereotypes and different public opinions about Latinos. The interests in creating the stereotypes as well as the different ways in which this is established works together in creating continuous propaganda about the Latino minority groups, despite what the realistic measures may be. The result is an alteration in perceptions which are created about Latinos, often which is negative and which also serves a different interest to those who have established the stereotype. Defining Propaganda Among Latinos The current ideologies that are occurring with Latinos have created a large amount of gained interest from the stereotypes which have already been created about Latinos. The terms of propaganda are based on continuous representations of Latinos which are seen in media, movies, TV, music, entertainment and within political circles. These establish an identity of what it means to be Latino and how the behaviors and actions should be if one belongs to this ethnic group. The representation is one which is not seen as objective and often pinpoints the identity of what one should be like if belonging to this particular group. It is now being pointed out that the racism and stereotypes that are created are more blatant than before and continue to represent the same identity in terms of the conventional identity that a Latino should carry (Gersh, 1993). The stereotypes that have formed the Latino groups and communities with propaganda and mainstream television are one which has been created specifically with relation to the beginning TV series. It was noted that there wasn’t the ability for Hispanics to take lead roles because of the amount of stereotyping during this time. When Latinos were given a role, it was developed with Westerns and in spaces where the Latinos did not have the same prestige as white Americans in the community because of being a minority race. The lack of multicultural shows was one of the main difficulties which were portrayed with those who were on TV as Latinos, specifically by being misinformed with the culture and the stereotypes which were assumed by Latinos, such as a lack of education or coming from an underdeveloped country and remaining uncultured about American life (Brow 1994). The stereotypes not only include a lack of main roles as well as misrepresentations. It has also been found that there are only 3% of characters considered for all roles in the media and only 2% who were participating in the media. The statistics show a lower number, specifically because the population of Latinos in the United States is above 10%. The lack of portrayal and the lower roles, as well as the stereotypes which come with the roles, then lead to the question of why the artistic choices are being made and how this relates to the stereotyping created (Zamora, 1996). Perceptions of Latinos The negative portrayals of Latinos in the media begins with the representation of the fewer amount of individuals that are on TV. A small amount of Hispanics are promoted on TV, most which become secondary characters. If an individual is able to receive priority roles within the media, then the propaganda changes into one that specifies the roles and attitudes based on the perception of Latinos. The concept is one that then leads to attitudes which are violent, violate others and which have lower self – esteem in the communities that are on the entertainment shows. The negativity that is associated with this links directly to long held beliefs which are noted to come from the social views of Latinos and how they fit into the picture of belonging in American society. This is combined with the faces that are less likely to show a positive image of the role of Latinos within the community, usually leading to the characters being the protagonist of various comedies or dramas (Kolker, 1999). The portrayals of those in Latino media are noted to have two main and defining roles and stereotypes that are consistent in almost all forms of media. The first is a sense of racial identification that is noted through the physical traits of Latinos. This includes speech, fashion, behavior and moves which are created. The second most common characteristic is from the lifestyle that is a part of the stereotype. In a recent study (Mastro et al, 2008), these two main traits in Latinos were used specifically because the audience could immediately identify the group which was a part of the media representation. The continuation of the blatant stereotypes was then used to create a sense of boundaries and defined prototypes that were associated with the groups. The indication led to the understanding of social identity theory, specifically which stated that there was a direct relationship to the racism of the group to society requiring a sense of identity toward specific groups. The representation of Latinos then was created with a negative light, specifically for the social identification which was used with the audience and viewers of different media outlets (Mastro et al, 2008). There are a variety of other examples and stereotypes which are portrayed in a negative light with the media, specifically by continuing to identify the Latino social group within different mediums while creating characteristics that immediately build boundaries with others that are working within the media. The stereotypes have moved into a set of beliefs that Latinos have always been tokens within the media. This is based on the ability to create the specific social group or stereotype and to write it into the script or to set it apart from other roles and characters to add in a different perspective to the audience. The idea of becoming a token within this field furthers with the understanding that the audience can look at those who have taken this role as spectators, or by creating those in the media to subjects which can be viewed. The Latino stereotype becomes one based on Latinos developing work with the media and combining this with roles that keep the social group separate from others within the media. The result is a specific portrayal that continues to associate the roles with being a part of the social identity which immediately sets the individuals apart without causing them to be associated with the other groups in society (Guerra, 1992). Use of Mediums in Creating Stereotypes The most common perception which comes from Latinos is with the media representations, such as movies, TV and entertainment. The concept is one that has been defined as a cultural industry. The deception that is given to each culture provides stereotypes that are attractive to audiences and which create a sense of false identity which others can follow. The individuals become objective to the audience, specifically by creating a sense of identity and labeling which can be used through formula processes in the media. The propaganda then increases with the media by continuing to create the Latino identity within one box of identity which appeals to the audiences and which builds a uniform approach to those which are in different social groups. The agenda that is created through the media is based on creating audience attraction by continuing to tap into the identity of Latinos, specifically as it remains an unknown identity. The smaller number of Latinos which are working in entertainment as well as the description which continues with these individuals then builds a psychological formula for continuous attraction to audiences from the media based on the identity (Adorno, Horkheimer, 1993). The perceptions which are noted to be created form an understanding of behavior, identity, personality and attitudes that are a part of the Latino identity. The main focus is to create this in a negative light, specifically with the representation of the minority community and a misunderstood or marginalized personality. The concepts of self that link to this relate to an understanding of reflections of the self and community, attitudes about different lifestyle behaviors and a resistance to the American culture while creating a specific culture which is based on what the individual believes and understands. The negative perceptions continue with both mainstream media and with the news, specifically with the focus on Latinos who are not able to fit into the community or which are causing difficulties and problems among others. This concept is one that then begins to reflect in society, despite the negative perceptions that are often magnetized in the news and entertainment mediums (Milks, 2008). The concept of media usage that comes from TV, entertainment and the media also leads to the ability to create a sense of social capital within the community. Social capital is one that links a specific amount of information to the community and the different behaviors and beliefs which they hold. If this continues to be repeated, then the stereotype begins to reflect within the community, allowing for a continuous definition to be perceived among individuals in a specific culture. For the Latino culture, this is created specifically with the ideologies of speaking and language, fashion, preferences in style and lifestyle habits. This continues with preferences that each individual holds in terms of their social groups and how this relates to what is occurring. The form of social capital becomes propaganda by the media specifically because it has the ability to create the subjective understanding of groups and to continue to create the same influences by repeating these similar concepts among different TV, entertainment and media shows (Goidel, 2006). Another area which is noted to have a specific type of stereotype among Latinos is through the use of video games. This differs from other forms of entertainment, specifically because of the nature of the games and how they are used. Often, the representation of race is linked to characters that are in the game and how they interact and play with others. Gender and age are also known factors which contribute to what a game player understands and develops about the quality and effects of the game player. According to a recent study (Williams et al, 2009), there is an overrepresentation of male white adults in video games. It was also noted that the amount of Hispanics, women, Native Americans and children in the video games all had the same level of under representation. The Latinos which were represented in the video games were recognized by fashion statements, perception and the relation to violent games which most were placed in. The stereotyping of the characters is what became the most important factor for those that were looking into the games and which were unable to develop what was required for the games (Williams et al, 2009). The negative perception that is reflected among Latinos may not only be linked to stereotypes but also to the interest of political agendas. This began with the civil rights in the 1960s which led to stereotypes and examination of the divisions. The stereotypes have continued today, specifically because of immigration and laws that are based on those who are coming from Mexico and into America. The debate is one which is created from the immigration laws, policies about immigration and the requests for those remaining in America. The agenda is one that has led to stereotypical beliefs about Latinos not having the same level of education or income while taking jobs from Americans. This is continuing with debates from the public about the changing American identity and how this is changing the ideologies within the nation. The political agenda and that of the media then begins to favor the American ideology against the Latino population, creating a stereotype based on the need to regulate and maintain the laws and policies set into place for immigration and maintenance of the region (Soderlund, 2007). The policies toward immigration and the conflict which is continuing to occur may not be the only relation to the agenda for carrying stereotypes with Latinos in the media. The political agenda may also link to cuing into different audiences to create candidates for elections and to favor policies that need to be pushed through according to the political agenda. By continuing to create stereotypes with the news and entertainment, there is the ability to create a stronger psychology toward the majority population. The concept not only creates a stereotype among the Latinos. There is also a sense of one developing certain policies and laws for an ethnic group remaining loyal to a political party. This creates racial authenticity in which one remains positive about a specific political development. As negative connotations are given into public viewing, others will look at the outcome with the policies, political agenda and the way in which the stereotypes can begin to affect individuals within society. The racial frame which is created for the political agenda then becomes a main component of how and why the stereotypes are created as well as how this can alter the different assumptions and reactions within society (Caliendo, McIlwain, 2006). Support for Stereotypical Representation The negative looks that have been created with Latinos in the media and through political agendas have led to a specific response from society. Those looking at social groups, boundaries and divisions have also created responses while in the community that is heightening the stereotype. A known change which has occurred is from the police misconduct which is continuing to rise. The misconduct is occurring specifically through racial profiling that is occurring in given communities. Through a current study (Graziano, Schuck, 2010), the portrayals in the media had a direct effect on the profiling which occurred in the community. Police were more likely to recognize someone as being in trouble if the race fit into a specific stereotype or look. The police performance increased and the attitudes and behaviors of Latinos which were profiled also continued to alter. The two areas which were considered to be affected the most were based on the continuous use of racial profiling set by negative stereotypes and the misunderstandings of why individuals were profiled, specifically which led to the negative attitudes and arrests of different individuals (Graziano, Schuck, 2009). The affects of racial profiling have led to a division with the minority groups of Latinos and the perceptions which are now conveyed in the public. The first is with the Americanizing of Latino groups, specifically with the younger generations that no longer want to be profiled or which are looking to move outside of the negative perceptions of the culture. The second are those who stand out with the Latino identity and which build attitudes and behaviors that are associated directly with the community. The concept of minority alientation is one which is continuing to increase. This is noted from the developments that are a part of the social groups continuing to separate from the mainstream groups and media. The alientation also occurs with having attitudes, behaviors and representations that are Latino and which aren’t created or used by other social groups. The different levels of alienation and Americanization are known to take place specifically because of negative and hostile attitudes toward Latinos from the media and the continuous stereotype that is reflected in society (Vega, 2005). The profiling and separate identity within social groups is one which has led many of the mainstream culture into the belief that Latinos are foreigners and do not belong in the country. The perception is one which is created with the belief that many Latinos do not contribute to the social viewpoint within society while creating segmentations in terms of economics, education, politics and cultural associations. The lower number of Latinos in combat, different areas of economic development and within the work area continue to contribute to this in a negative manner, all which are causing difficulties with mainstream society being able to understand or evaluate the realities of Latinos and the abilities which they create in developing the same number of contributions as others within society. This is inclusive of social, political and economic contributions which are coming from those that are working within the United States as well as others that have been in the United States for more than one generation. The result from the media and divisional stereotyping of the group then creates an attitude toward Latino groups that there is a lack of capacity and development from the Latino population (Estrada, 2011). Along with the perceptions which have been developed in terms of profiling and social boundaries are also concepts that link directly to specific facets of life. The stereotypes which have been created in terms of Latinos on TV have focused on specific attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles which the social groups are a part of. The response is not only profiling and negative attitudes which are created among social groups. It has also been found that the media representation has led to a popular belief that Latinos are aggressive, hostile and unintelligent. This was created through a study (Taylor, Graham, 2007), which examined the levels of academic achievement and the perceptions which students held about themselves and others with this achievement. The survey looked at a value index that defined who held the most intelligence and values. There was a specific pattern among ethnic groups and gender, specifically with girls ranking higher and both Latinos and African Americans ranking the lowest. The ethnic minorities are then noted to not only be affected in terms of the general social beliefs but also have a specific perspective that is relating to all age groups and is creating an impact with boundaries of social groups among students and children (Taylor, Graham, 2007). Conclusion The relationship between stereotyping in the media and the impact in society is one which is often overlooked. However, when looking at the concept of negative stereotyping with Latinos, it is noted that a negative association is made with the group. This is combined with under representation of the group in the media. The combination of negative traits in terms of lifestyle, not contributing to society and holding a specific attitude and behavior is one which continues to be represented in the media. The agenda is one which links to the ability to create a subject for audience viewing while pushing different policies and beliefs for political order. The result is one which is creating a direct impact and influence in society. This begins with police profiling and links to educational perceptions which children receive, specifically in relation to boundaries which are created with societal beliefs. These different concepts show that the negative effects of stereotypes created in the media toward Latinos are building barriers and boundaries among groups in society. References Adorno, Theodor, Max Horkheimer. (1993). “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception.” Dialectic of Enlightenment New York: Continuum. Brow, DU. 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