WE CAN SEE PAST THE STEREOTYPES
We see people in a certain way. When we see them, our opinions about them will likely be influenced by many different things. These influencing factors might include the way they dress, their behavior, or how they talk. However, what if we form an opinion about someone before we have even met them? What if this prevents us from accurately seeing real person? Playwriter Luis Valdez takes a look at this in one of his earliest works. Here, I will discuss stereotypes and how the Luis Valdez comments on these stereotypes through is play “Los Vendidos.” I will analyze the play’s characters and what stereotypes each character represents. Finally, I will discuss Luis Valdez’ past and how he was influenced to write this
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A stereotype can be defined as a view of a certain racial or ethnic group based off of aspects of the group (Stereotyping 1). Stereotypes are everywhere. We can see them in television programs, movies, and even games. Many times, people from different cultures and ethnicities are stereotyped by members of a different race or ethnicity. One group that is commonly believed to be stereotyped is the Hispanic population. One writer who comments on how the Hispanic population is stereotyped is Luis Valdez. Valdez presents these stereotypes, not in scholarly article, but in a play. This play, “Los Vendidos “is not long. In fact, it only has one act. Yet in this one act, Valdez is able to present the four main stereotypes of the Hispanic …show more content…
The first stereotype is the Farmworker. The Farmworker is hardworking and tough. He can live in low quality housing or even no housing at all. He eats very little and he is very polite. However, he lacks knowledge of American culture and struggles with the native language of the land. He seems to be the stereotype of the 1980 Mexican farmworker who is efficient for agricultural work but does not speak English (Sosnowski). The next stereotype that Valdez depicts in the shop is Johnny Pachuco. Johnny Pachuco seems to be the stereotypical Mexican-American gangster. He is tough, violent, and a drug addict. He eats American fast food and liquor and fights with the police when he is arrested. Rather than work, he simply steals. Valdez next shows the Revolucionario. The Revolucionario is a glorified Robin Hood like bandit and revolutionary. He is romantic, tough, and noble. Not only this, but he is popular on television and movies. Perhaps Valdez is suggesting that movies and television programs are helping to solidify stereotypes in the mind of the average American. The final stereotype that Valdez depicts is the sophisticated Mexican-American. This Mexican-American is smart, educated, and involved in politics. He seems to be the model Hispanic citizen. He also seems to believe that American culture is superior to Mexican culture. Near the end of the
For instance, Staples faces many stereotypes. He is a journalist who is consistently judged due to his appearance. In paragraph 1, “As I swung onto the avenue behind her, there seemed to be a discreet, uninflammatory distance between us.” Staples creates an image by describing himself as a monster but his description is based on how the outside world see him. He considers his presence a cause for altering others emotion. According to Stereotypes by Rachel E, “In the United States, some of the longest-held and potentially most detrimental stereotypes are those about African Americans.” This relates to Staples crucial journey to greatness. Staples was perceived as a mugger, a murderer, and a rapist because of his outside image and how others viewed
In today’s society, a huge issue that resonates across cultures is the idea of racially stereotyping an individual or a culture as a whole. Some might join in and take these stereotypes as a joke, and others might believe that these “jokes” are entirely offensive and inappropriate. Although Americans insist on pursuing negative stereotypes associated with Hispanics; because a lot of Latinos are not able to speak fluent English, so they are labeled as “uneducated.” Another common stereotype for Hispanics is that they are all extremely poor and living in poverty because images are constantly seen of them in large groups piling into small vehicles and residences; Hispanics argue that these stereotypes are demeaning and unfair to their culture, because not every Latino is uneducated and living in poverty.
Heilbroner, Robert L. “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments.” Emerging Voices: Readings in the American Experience. Ed. Sara M. Blake and Janet Madden Orlando: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1993. 436-442.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, we are presented with various representations of stereotypes involving numerous characters of all ages. Due to specific encounters, we are faced with repeated stereotypical situations. For example, Walter Cunningham is a poor, misunderstood boy who comes from an underestimated family name. Along with the main character Scout, who narrates the story from a young age and finds herself constantly reminded to be the lady she is not. In like manner, Tom Robinson is familiar with the ways of Maycomb, Alabama who easily loses hope with his case of an alleged rape. Walter, Scout and Tom all validate as victims of stereotyping, but from the goodwill within and taking the time to understand someone beforehand,
Stereotypes within our society have shaped the way we perceive each other. Throughout the book Punished by Victor Rios, a lot of stereotypes were not only reinforced but also used against a lot of the boys. A lot of the boys presented throughout the book had never actually committed a crime but they were treated as if they had. These boys were constantly labeled and categorized, like folders into a filling cabinet or a bin. Sure Oakland, California had a lot of gang-infested areas but that does not mean everyone in that area is part of a gang or is committing a crime. Thus, this book really demonstrates how one can be perceived or labeled as a criminal due to his or her surroundings and how these stereotypes can destroy one’s chance of freedom.
The author highlights the Latino stereotypes and their effects on those stereotyped and on society. By carrying out a satirical tone, the author is able to manifest how Mexicans are treated; thus, achieving this through the secretary’s rejection of each character represented. The satirical tone elucidates on how people may acknowledge their own prejudices and comprehend how Mexicans feel. Through the Mexican-American character, the author makes it clearly evident of an attempt to end prejudice in itself. The author illuminates the ludicrous hypocrisy behind labeling; this play serves to help society see the injustice of their opinions and to meet their
What Is a Stereotype? The definition of a stereotype is any commonly known public belief about a certain social group or a type of individual. Stereotypes are often created about people of specific cultures or races. Stereotyping is a big problem, and everyone can be affected by it. There are many ways to stereotype a person such as, all white Americans are obese, lazy, and dumb, men who spend too much time on the computer or read are geeks, that all Mexicans are lazy and came into America illegally, all Arabs and Muslims are terrorists, or that all Americans are generally considered to be friendly, generous, and tolerant. All of these examples of stereotyping are found in the novel, Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream by Joshua Davis, published on December 2, 2014. This is a nonfiction/documentary book that follows the true story of how four undocumented teens from Mexico, leaving in Arizona, are joined by two teachers who were able to beat some of the best engineering schools
Latino portrayals in the media of theatre and movies have had negative affects for the Latino community but there are roles that are slowly becoming positive for their community. Not only have Latinos been portrayed negatively through stereotypes but they have also been ignored from American Media. When Latinos are actually present in different forms of media a very consistent type of Latino is portrayed. The words Hispanic and Latino already come with an image of that specific person who has dark features and an accent. When it comes to stereotyping Latinos in the media whether it be Hollywood or Broadway they tend to translate everything negatively through the roles they play. The audiences’ lack of understanding different Latino cultures allows the media to manipulate and reinforce myths on Latino communities. Rita Moreno from the film West Side Story had to overcome many stereotypes in order to achieve her fame. "Before 'West Side Story,' I was always offered the stereotypical Latina roles. The Conchitas and Lolita’s in westerns. I was always barefoot. It was humiliating, embarrassing stuff. But I did it because there was nothing else. After 'West Side Story,' it was pretty much the same thing. A lot of gang stories”
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan is a novel about prejudice. Prejudice is when a superior being looks down on colored, sex, lower classes or different races of people. There were many obstacles in this novel that dealt with racism and mistreatment with Mexicans. Mexican immigrants in the 1930's suffered greatly because of the prejudice in the hearts and minds of the farm owners, lawmakers, and the American people.
With assertive shouts and short tempers, the prominent character, Ricardo, is characterized as a feisty townsman, doing nothing except trying to protect his town and its members from the judgments of the western world. For example, the characterization of the “‘…quaint’” man is exemplified through the simplicity of his life and the fact that he is “‘…employed’” and is full of knowledge, not a “‘cow in the forest’” (55, 29, 32). Ricardo desperately wants to establish the notion that he is not a heartless, feebleminded man, only an indigent, simple man striving to protect his friends and family from the criticisms of callous cultures. Incessantly Ricardo attempts to make it clear to the photographer the irritation elicited by his prese...
“Los Vendidos,” translated to “The Sellouts” by Luis Valdez is a one act play that draws attention to the prejudice against Mexicans. Salesman, Honest Sancho, is a used Mexican lot owner that sells “robots,” each representing a Mexican model stereotype. The secretary, Miss Jimenez, works for the governor of the town who has sent her to purchase a Mexican to help their votes. Sancho shows the secretary the many different Mexicans they have from a farm worker to Pachuco (a lazy Mexican that causes trouble), to a revolucionario and a Mexican-American. Each Mexican model has a quality that the secretary doesn’t like, represented through a stereotype, which shows the prejudices society holds on the race. Although throughout the play the Mexicans
Another misapplication of stereotyping lies within the character of Gloria, the energetic, vicious Latina wife of patriarch Jay, who is more than thirty years her senior. Gloria’s character represents a biased view of what it is to be a Latina-American. She had her first child at a very young age to an emotionally abusive father. In order to make ends meet, she worked at a beauty salon catering exclusively to Latina clientele. Until she met Jay, she struggled to get by and relied mostly on her good looks and flirty personality to advance herself within society. By marrying Jay, an older man with a successful business, she is considered by many to be a gold digger. The most hilarious part of her character is also the most insulting to Latin-Americans
Judith Ortiz Cofer, a professor of english and creative writing, tackles gender roles as well as cultural stereotypes in “ The Myth of the Latin Woman” and challenges them by attempting to replace the stereotypes with the realities. In “The Myth of the Latin Woman” Cofer discusses her life in America as a Puerto Rican woman. She also shares her stories of when she was stereotyped and how gender roles play a role in how Latinos are viewed. Stereotypes will follow you around because of your appearance and how the media portrays Latinas.
At one point in time, these stereotypes may have been true; however, in today’s modern society, most of these stereotypes are outdated and false, which leads them to turn into misconceptions. Usually, stereotypes are utilized to humiliate and degrade the person or group; they also do not provide any beneficial outcomes. Stereotypes focus on how a particular group acts because of the radical ideas and actions of the few, how a particular group looks, or how that group is physically lacking in some way. These stereotypes often lead to conflicts because the group does not appreciate the way it is perceived. Seldom are the stereotypes placed on a group of people truthful and accurate.
Stereotypes are a fixed image of all members of a culture, group, or race, usually based on limited and inaccurate information resulting from the minimal contact with these stereotyped groups. Stereotypes have many forms: people are stereotyped according to their religion, race, ethnicity, age, gender, color, or national origins. This kind of intolerance is focused on the easily observable characteristics of groups of people. In general, stereotypes reduce individuals to a rigid and inflexible image that doesn't account for the multi-dimensional nature of human beings. One example of stereotypes is the categorization of the Jews in the Elizabethan era.