Stereotypes
... population, it has been the latter. Hispanics, if portrayed at all in the media, have been depicted in a negative light for decades, however, present conditions show some hope for change. If I were to tell you that I was Puerto Rican, would you assume that I could speak Spanish fluently, that I dance well and listen to salsa music, that I love to eat rice and beans and come from a poor neighborhood in the inner city? Perhaps not, but many still would—and none of it is true. Stereotypes carry a great deal of power, especially in America, a nation so diverse that we seek to categorize and compartmentalize everyone just so everything makes sense. Stereotypes can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. In the case of the Hispanic/Latino population, it has been the latter. Hispanics, if portrayed at all in the media, have been depicted in a negative light for decades, however, present conditions show some hope for change. If I were to tell you that I was Puerto Rican, would you assume that I could speak Spanish fluently, that I dance well and listen to salsa music, that I love to eat rice and beans and com...