This page has written a lot about Sofía Vergara, this generation’s Charo. While some might feel proud of a forced-accent “hot” Latina, most rational people we know aren’t that into what Vergara’s bit represents.
So you can imagine that when Vergara decided to do the following during last night’s Emmy show…
…it would only perpetuate the fact that Vergara does more to harm perceptions of Latinos in the U.S. than help them.
But we have been saying it for years: Vergara is just the latest product of a problem that has been going on for decades. Furthermore, Vergara’s “pedestal” moment was the most air time given to a Latino last night. Think about that for a moment.
Nonetheless, we tweeted our thanks to Vergara last night:
A huge GRACIAS to Sofia Vergara for her continuous promotion of the stale and insulting "sexy Latina" stereotype. #Emmys
— Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) August 26, 2014
The minstrelization of Latinos in Hollywood continues (you can thank Spanish-language TV for that as well) and Vergara is just the latest minstrel. No, thank you.
By the way, the folks at Mashable compiled “20 Honest Twitter Reactions to Emmys’ Sexist Sofia Vergara Bit.” The good folks at Mic also weighed in. Yeah, the truth hurts.
As for Vergara? She has responded to the critics:
Yet when asked whether the stunt was sexist and demeaning, Vergara shot back: “I think its absolutely the opposite. It means that somebody can be hot and also be funny and make fun of herself. I think it’s ridiculous that somebody started this—I know who she was—who has no sense of humor [and should] lighten up a little bit.”
The Latina Minstrel has spoken. Lighten up, people.
That response is part of the problem, too.
