Hispanic Heritage Month: Representation

Just like every representation in media, there is a long and complicated history with it. The Latinx representation is no different.

Early representations of Latinx people in silent film were primarily Mexican Americans and media relied heavily on violent and villainous characters for the men and women who were desirable to Anglo characters.

Between 1920 and 1940 with the Great Depression brought the political Good Neighbor policy into film. The Good Neighbor policy is a foreign policy from the Roosevelt administration that the U.S. should be a "good neighbor" and create new economic opportunities and trade agreements with Latin American countries. Being a "good neighbor" also reinforces influences, which created tension in Latin American governments.

As with the Good Neighbor policy, the "relatable" Anglo character would be the hero in the story, seeking justice against wrong-doers that were the Latinx characters. But, as a whole, the Latinx representation became a more positive light. In 1934, Hollywood enacted Hays Code meant that Latina women could only be the desirable character if they were light skinned as the code did not allow interracial or inter-ethnic relationships.

In 1940 to 1950, you'll see the increase of the "good" Latinx character. Plot lines for the Latinx character still centralize in the "common' stereotypes of the entertainer or exotic lover where many actors felt closeted in those casting choices.

Between 1950 to 1960, there was a revert and the dwindle of the representation of Latinx characters. The criminal stereotype remained while peppered with Western genre and backdrops. 

The 60s and into the 70s opened historic avenues for Latinx actors despite the limited roles. Bigger roles and being told bigger stories (think of West Side Story) even though lesser role opportunities were had. More Latinx groups were being represented. With the increase of Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Movement came the increase of Latinx in movies and Latinx lead avocation in Hollywood.

Although the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s stayed with the trope of crime and violence that stuck with the Latinx character, more development, characters, character opportunity became increasingly available. There was more descriptions of accurate daily life, history, culture, and music being represented. Commercially successful Latinx movies flood the theaters and current culture space.

This section was made with the help from The Library of Congress at https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-film-guide/historical-context and https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-film-guide/selected-filmography.

The Library of Congress compiled titles of over 1,500 films beginning at 1908. The films listed had to at least contain a Latinx character regardless of the actor portraying them, a Latinx actor, or was directed by a Latinx person. This was to determine the representation of the character and the feelings of studios at the time.  

This month is a great way to celebrate famous Latinx peoples.

The Smithsonian Institute has a website full of famous Latinx peoples with pictures and informationals to explore. 

UNT (University of North Texas) Dallas Library has an extensive guide on famous and historical Latinx peoples with links to biographical pages.