WHAT SHOULD LATINO ACTORS DO TO PREVENT LATINOS FROM BEING MISREPRESENTED AND UNDERREPRESENTED IN TV & FILM?
...e shown in negative light, most notably as criminals and undocumented immigrants (Kleinman, 1999). "Those portrayals have gone down a lot," says Lisa Navarette, spokeswoman for the National Council of La Raza. However, "the question [still] is: Are you the criminal of the week, the sloppy lazy gang member, or are you Tony Soprano," the lead character on HBO's Mafia series "The Sopranos" (Kleinman, 1999). "It's image forming," said Harry P. Pachon, president of a Latino civil rights group (Kleinman, 1999). "What does it mean to Hispanic youth when they don't see themselves portrayed on a big or small screen, and when they do, it's a negative image?" (Kleinman, 1999). It’s a rarity to find Latino roles playing doctors, executives, CEOs, attorney’s, etc. Yet the sleepy peon, the gang member, the street thug, the thief, the Mexican bandido, the Latin Lover and the Mexican whore can be found in countless motion pictures and television programs from the early Tony The Greaser series during the silent era of motion pictures to recent television depictions (Trevino, 2002). It is surprising that Latinos have been able to produce a body of work at all (Trevino, 2002). Latinos have been able to overcome the prejudices embodied in these stereotypes and have gone on to produce an impressive body of work such as the films represented in this publication films of political/social resistance and cultural/artistic affirmation. Nevertheless, it is a slow gradual process to be cast in a Latino role that admirably represented. Latino Actors are Underrepresented As the George Lopez show begins its 4th season, Latin Heat acknowledges the impact this show has had on the Latino community (Martinez, 2004, p. 10). While it is true that Freddie Prinze’s Chico and the Man is the longest-running show with a Latino in it, the Lopez show is the longest-running Latino-themed, Latino cast and produced in the history of Hollywood. This show is breaking down major network barriers (Martinez, 2004, p. 10). The original 2002 fall TV season, had three times as many Latino actors and twice as many Hispanic-themed programs in the broadcast networks' prime-time lineups as there were a decade ago (Fetto, 2002/2003, p. 14). But despite the success of a handful of highly visible personalities such as George Lopez, opportunities in the motion picture and television industry continue to be rare for Latinos (Trevino, 2002). Each year in this country, Latinos direct only 1% of all film and television programs produced, write less than ˝ of 1% of all screenplays produced and fill only 3% of all acting roles in television and film production (Trevino, 2002). Latinos make up only 4 percent of regular prime-time characters on network television, according to a new study by UCLA's Chicano Studies Research Center (Cox, Matthews, 2003, p. 16). Approximately seventy percent of America is white and sees no real problem with prime time television. They see a reflection of themselves, so what is wrong with that? But what about the 30% so-called "minority?" (Kleinman, 1999). Even shows set in urban settings don’t reflect the racial makeup of the city in which they’re set. Jachyn Davis stated, "I love ‘Seinfeld,’ but it doesn’t have any people of color, even in the background (Kleinman, 1999). It has an excuse, because the characters are older. Shows like ‘Friends,’ though, when they’re in their twenties, should have some diversity" (Kleinman, 1999). Following considerable outrage from minority leaders, at least eight shows have added an ethnic actor to the cast (Kleinman, 1999). Edward J. Olmos stated, "no one will ever forget the television season of 1999" (Kleinman, 1999). But will they forget, or will the networks and executives just repeat the same cycle of making promises to keep minority groups off their backs and then giving in to advertisers and writers? Diverse television programs have worked in the past, "The Cosby Show," and they can work now, "ER." (Kleinman, 1999). With a growing minority population, more minority programming is needed (Kleinman, 1999). Children of all colors need to see themselves on television as the roles they aspire to be, and the roles they will become (Kleinman, 1999). The Fight Against Underrepresentation In 1968, the Department of Justice ordered film and television studios to develop and implement minority training programs and provide career opportunities for a five year period. The doors were temporarily opened for minorities to break into the entertainment industry. However, as little as ten years later, the programs that remained were purely voluntary. The socially responsible solution gave way to economics (Kleinman, 1999). A solution to the lack of minority programming is difficult. Many minority leaders are looking to Congress to help integrate the entertainment industry, in front and behind of the camera (Kleinman, 1999). Activists are urging lawmakers to keep diversity in mind the next time the industry comes calling for political favors. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) agreed, "We'll see if we can get these [industry] guys... Not because they saw the light, but because they felt the heat" (Kleinman, 1999). Broadcasting executives established an investment fund intended...