We Need more U.S. Latino representation in the Media
Despite Hollywood’s “attempt” to be more inclusive, Latinos remain extremely underrepresented, and unfortunately, the little representation we hold is inaccurate and stereotypical. This is especially the case when acknowledging that Latino representation in Hollywood is not representative of Latino culture in the United States.
A new study carried out by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at University of Southern California found that of the 100 top-grossing films between 2007 and 2018, only 3% featured Latino actors and actresses in lead roles (USC). The numbers behind the cameras do not get any better. Directors, producers, and executive positions held by Latinos reflected the same 3%, with directorship increasing to 4%. Many films that received Academy awards in the last several years were from Latin American film directors such as Alejandro González Iñarritu , Guillermo del Toro, Claudio Miranda, Sebastian Lelio, Emmanuel Lubezki and Alfonso Cuaron or films that have been Latin American based stories. There haven’t been many films represented from U.S. Latino directors or films that have reflected the U.S. Latino experience.
Unarguably, the statistics do not accurately represent the Latino community in the United States. There are 62 million plus Latinos in the United States, equating to 18.1% of the total population. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2045, 1:4 Americans will be of Latino/Hispanic descent. Any more reason to increase Latino representation in the media?
It is such a missed opportunity that the media lacks Latino representation, as Latinos purchased 23% of all movie tickets sold in the United States, and since 2015, the Latino community has held $1.3 billion in purchasing power. This is projected to increase to $1.9 billion by 2023 (CNN).
In 2020, Netflix alongside the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative carried out a diversity audit. The audit examined 126 Netflix original movies and 180 original scripted series on the platform between January 2018 and December 2019. The audit revealed that a mere 4.5% of main cast members were awarded to Latino actors and filmmakers.
It is time that Latino representation in the media is an accurate representation of our diverse nuanced culture in the U.S. HBO is attempting to bridge this gap through their HBO Pa’ Lante platform that promises the celebration of Latino representation in the media. The very same representation that was very much non-existent in the 2021 Academy Awards, with only one worthy nomination: Director Shaka King, an Afro-Latino of Panamanian descent was nominated for Judas and The Black Messiah. Needless to say, no Latina representation whatsoever.
Hollywood and the media as a whole need to take notes from the Fast & Furious franchise. Over the past 10 years, Fast & Furious has been recognized as the franchise with the biggest Latino casting of all time, with Cardi B and Ozuna as their newest additions for Fast & Furious 9 (Billboard). The franchise has been ahead of the diversity and inclusion movement understanding the importance of having a diverse cast that has been inclusive of Latinos since its inception. On that same note, The Baker and The Beauty, which originally premiered on ABC and is now on Netflix, that follows the life of a Cuban-American family, has been very well received, and for very good reason. Although the TV show incorporates the parents’ story of immigration for opportunities of betterment for themselves and their kids, it is not at the forefront of the show, but rather their lives as Latinos in the United States.
We are looking forward to the release of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, the American Musical Drama directed by Jon M. Chu, based in New York’s Dominican neighborhood Washington Heights featuring Anythony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco and Jimmy Smits.
The film includes a majority Latino cast, who will bring to life what is like living in a predominantly Dominican neighborhood, Washington Heights, in New York City. In the Heights has been of extreme importance to the Latino representation in the United States, as it has achieved its message through the adaption of music–one of the most valued aspects of the Latino culture.
The above shows and films mentioned are examples that Latino representation in the media is easily achievable, it is a matter of wanting and having the right people both, behind and in front of the camera. Although we are slowly seeing more representation of Latinos in film and television, we hope to see more of our stories here in the U.S. being told, as well.
Sources:
New study finds Netflix needs more Latinx shows and movies – CNN
‘Fast & Furious’: Every Time the Franchise Recruited Latin Artists | Billboard | Billboard
Around the World in Fast & Furious Movie Locations (theculturetrip.com)
