When it comes to health and diet, they say you are what you eat. This means that whatever you consume will have an effect on you one way or another. The same truth can be said about pop culture and societal norms.
Again, whatever is consumed will undoubtedly affect a person whether it is physical, psychological or emotional. Naturally this raises the question of can an unhealthy cultural diet be just as dangerous to someone as not eating the right foods or exercising. When one steps back and looks at the Hollywood, the pop culture landscape, it starts to look just as hazardous as fried foods and high fructose corn syrup. This has always been a growing problem that has effected people, mainly women, for years. However, the culture of Hollywood and the entertainment industry is especially unhealthy and damaging to Latinas. Whether you are a well-known actress, an up-and-coming actress or simply a fan, Hollywood view of the Latina has always been denigrating and insulting. Many people (including myself) have addressed this issue before-pointing out that the typical role of Latin women in the media has always been that of a sex kitten; a matriarch or both.
If you look at most box office hits and high rated television shows in 2013, you can clearly see an absence of any Latinos even though they have said to be the largest growing “minority group” in the US according to the 2010 Census. However, the problem goes far beyond the US and reaches around the globe. In the US, it is often the most physically attractive Latina that is given the most screen or air time. Regardless of acting range, experience or performance, you can always count on Hollywood to choose the prettiest Latin females as eye candy in their projects.