Colorism Biases in Mexican Telenovelas
Univision's portrayal of social class exploitation, racist ideologies, and colorism biases are repetitive for guaranteed TV ratings.[6] Let’s look at old-time Telenovelas such as MariMar, Soñadoras, and Luz Clarita – all consisted of light-skinned Latinos as leading characters. If we google top Telenovela stars it becomes evident that an overwhelming number of them resemble European actors/actresses. For example, Cristina Campuzano from Colombia’s Telenovela “La Niña” looks a lot like Sarah Paulson from “American Horror Story.” [7] These whitewashed media shows perpetuate the message that lighter features are superior, whereas, dark, Black, and indigenous features are inferior or nonexistent. White-passing Latinos exist, but so do other Latinos. The preferred and privileged representation of White Latinos in Telenovelas makes it seem like they are the only Latinos that exist, which erases Afro and indigenous Latinos as a whole. Even when they (Afro and indigenous Latinos) are represented on Telenovelas, they are cast for inferior roles of servants, gardeners, maids, thieves, etc. Thus, darker skin-toned people are continued to be portrayed as ‘bad’ or ‘less.’
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Filipino TV and movies are exactly the same. Very little diversity. It’s a shame.
Ditto India from the little I've seen.
Henry Louis Gates did a book and documentary series for PBS called "Black in Latin America" back in 2011. Definitely work watching if you've never seen it.
Just found the series on the YouTubes...
It would be hilarious if that show were written by some of the defensive Latinos I've met on the internet.
"Castro said he would end racism on Cuba. Did he? Well, it's certainly better in Cuba than the United States, if that's the question."