Stop stigmatizing us as you dimensional characters — either voluptuous seductresses or submissive maids

Erika L. Sanchez

February 3, 2014 3:00AM (UTC)

This informative article initially showed up on AlterNet.

If perhaps you were to believe your tv, you would think all Latinas are immaculately dressed spitfires or docile maids. With regards to Latino people—especially women—it’s just as if the television got stuck into the 1950s.

While these identities aren’t in by themselves incorrect or harmful, the situation is based on the truth that they are the only portrayals individuals are confronted with. Many of us really like hoop-earrings and tight-fitting leopard-print skirts. Many of us are hardworking maids. Many of us are very educated. Many of us are intimately assertive. Many of us dislike intercourse at all. Like everyone, we are humans with array complex experiences, desires and identities.

Some may argue that it is just TV, so just why make such a hassle? A study from through the Media that is hispanic Coalition ” The Impact of Media Stereotypes on Opinions and Attitudes Towards Latinos, ” unearthed that “the most frequently held Latino stereotypes operate parallel to those mirrored into the media. ” Whenever individuals had been expected to remember the types of functions they see Latinos play in tv and movie, their top three answers had been unlawful or gang user, gardener or landscaper and maid or housekeeper. Inevitably, contact with most of these functions will influence actual life.

The report additionally unearthed that although non-Latinos, for the part that is most, report having regular relationship with Latinos (44 per cent every day), and being acquainted with Latino culture (74 % state they truly are significantly or extremely familiar), just 30 percent say they individually know numerous Latinos (27 % understand two or less). Significantly more than a 3rd (38 %) connect to Latinos when a month.

Impressionable people, those lacking critical-thinking abilities and those who haven’t any Latino buddies are at risk of these misconceptions. These objectives aren’t just irritating, these are typically exhausting and dehumanizing. I am talking about, how do all females from 21 nations, like the united states of america, all have a similar intimate identities? Let us stop thinking in binaries, individuals.

Here you will find the six many typical misconceptions Latinas are sick and tired of coping with.

1. We are exotic. Just What amuses me personally about that a person is it seems just as if we are uncommon jungle animals. We when had a fellow ask me where I became from because I’d a “very exotic nose. ” (in addition, i am from Chicago and my nose is my nose that is damn! Kat Lazo, a Colombian and Peruvian feminist news activist, distributed to me her experience of being truly the only Latina in her own white community. She claims the males thought of her as “something foreign. ” The worst pickup line she is have you ever heard? “You’re the essential exotic flower we’ve ever seen. ” Whoa.

In accordance with the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau populace estimates, approximately 52 million Hispanics inhabit the usa, representing around 16.7 per cent associated with U.S. Total population. That produces individuals of Hispanic beginning the country’s biggest cultural or competition minority. The U.S. Hispanic population for July 1, 2050 is calculated to attain 132.8 million, constituting around 30 % associated with the U.S. Populace. Exactly exactly How exotic are we, actually? Does “exotic” simply suggest non-white because white may be the standard? Fellas, do not ever, ever utilize that term to anybody. Really.

2. We are hypersexual. Because we result from such hot climes that are exotic Latinas and black colored ladies (take note that some Latinas may also be black colored) are anticipated to desire intercourse 24 / 7. Does not matter whenever or where, we simply can not assist ourselves! Life time’s “Devious Maids” has been justifiably eviscerated left and suitable for that extremely reason. The direction they been able to cram therefore many stereotypes into one show almost makes my head explode. Dior Vargas, a Latina activist that latin dating is feminist has seen this expectation play down inside her expert life. In a job that is previous she had been truly the only Latina on her behalf group. Whenever all of the males she worked with began hitting on her behalf, she felt it absolutely was simply because they assumed she ended up being promiscuous. She claims it really is a whole lot worse on her behalf cousin. “My sister is darker-skinned and males assume that she sleeps around and it is more sexual, ” she states.

Unfortuitously, this pigeon-hole does not just impact the method other people perceive us, in addition influences just how we see ourselves. Also understanding that these portrayals are absurd, some people may additionally belong to the trap. The news is the fact that effective. Not just that, exactly exactly 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 because we assumed that’s the way I’m said to be? ” Vargas miracles. This mistaken belief can actually wreak havoc on our psyches, therefore please why don’t we all just allow it die. All of us are biologically the exact same, therefore Latinas obviously do not have a greater tendency for sex.