With an extensive career in television and film, America Ferrera is no stranger to the entertainment industry. But, despite building a successful career in a field traditionally dominated by white actors, Ferrera has noticed a lack of Latino and Hispanic representation. That’s why she’s using her platform to urge for improved representation of the Latino community in Hollywood and set an example for the next generation of actors. Check out The Columbian to read about America Ferrera’s inspiring message and mission.
1. Exploring LatinX Representation in Hollywood
In recent years, Hollywood has made efforts to include more LatinX representation in its films. We’ve seen major strides towards inclusion in the form of lead characters, storylines, and even directors with LatinX backgrounds. Here’s a look at how the film industry is embracing LatinX talent and stories, pushing for more diversity and representation:
- Prominent LatinX Characters & Leads – We’ve seen an increase in varied characters with LatinX backgrounds, playing leading and well-rounded roles in films. From popular franchises such as “Coco” and “Spy Kids” to smaller indie films “The Cakemaker” and “Life 2.0”, LatinX actors are taking on interesting characters in a variety of genres.
- Stories that Celebrate & Reframe LatinX Culture – More stories that feature LatinX culture in a positive light have been emerging in recent years. Films like “Roma” highlight the beauty of everyday LatinX life while others like “Mariachi Gringo” focus on the unique cultural hybrid that Latin American immigrants can experience.
- LatinX Directors & Production Teams – Along with an increase in prominent LatinX characters, we’re also seeing more filmmakers from LatinX backgrounds helming major Hollywood productions. The Marvel movie “Black Panther” was directed by Mexican filmmaker Ryan Coogler and the upcoming “Zola” is directed by Janicza Bravo.
These encouraging changes in Hollywood have been a long time coming and we’re seeing the industry finally making strides towards a more inclusive landscape. LatinX talent and stories should continue to be celebrated and embraced by the industry, helping create a more progressive and diverse landscape in Hollywood.
2. Why America Ferrera Is Pushing for Change
America Ferrera is a champion of change, actively pushing for an overhaul of the social and political landscape. She is a powerful voice in today’s world, advocating for a more accepting and equitable society for all. Here are the ways she’s pushing for change:
- Through her work as an actress, she’s giving visibility to complex and powerful stories that have typically faced marginalization.
- She’s a fierce activist, speaking out in charity campaigns and discussions on pressing issues.
- Ferrera is also a leader in a movement of celebrities uniting to produce projects that promote cultural understanding and inspire positive change.
Ferrera speaks out and acts boldly on matters of immigration, education, race, gender-inequality and health-care reform, among others. She’s forged strong partnerships between her personal charity organization, TakePart, and organizations such as Voto Latino, Women in Film and The Collective. With these alliances, Ferrera seeks to increase the representation and recognition that marginalized communities need to succeed.
3. The Impact of Inadequate Representation
The issue of inadequate representation has far-reaching consequences for the global community. When one group is not adequately represented, individual rights are not fully protected and society suffers as a result.
When certain interests are not represented in a society, people in those groups are subject to a disproportionately high risk of discrimination. Lack of representation can lead to unfairness and inequality in decision-making processes. Even when laws are passed that should protect certain groups and benefit them equally, those laws can sometimes be narrowly applied, making them largely ineffective. Failure to adequately represent minority groups in decision-making or policymaking can also lead to a disenfranchising of those groups.
- Individual rights are not fully protected
- Risk of discrimination is higher
- Unfair and unequal decision-making processes
- Laws are often narrowly applied and ineffective
- Disenfranchisement of minority groups
4. Steps Towards Meaningful Progress
Taking the first step towards meaningful progress is one of the most difficult mental hurdles. But that doesn’t have to be the case! Here’s how to get off the starting line:
- Assess Your Current Situation: Before you can begin to consider taking action, you need to have a full understanding of the situation at hand. Analyze what the current problem is and what resources you have available. This will help you determine what realistic solutions are possible.
- Set Up Small Milestones: Break up your goal into a series of smaller tasks. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and will give you a better sense of how to measure and track your progress with each step.
- Identify Obstacles: Acknowledge potential barriers and come up with contingency plans. It’s important to consider what could go wrong and how you’ll approach those challenges. That way when an issue arises, you won’t have to redirect your focus and waste precious time.
Understand that you cannot make meaningful progress overnight. You need to be patient, dedicated, and flexible. But by keeping these steps in mind and setting yourself up for success, you’ll eventually reach your goals and make the progress you’ve been striving for!
America Ferrera’s tireless campaign to increase Latino representation on and off-screen reminds us of the importance of representation for marginalized groups. Ferrera continues to lead the charge for better Latino representation in the film industry, highlighting the imbalance between Latino voices and those of other races in Hollywood. As we continue to fight toward greater equity and inclusion, Ferrera’s determination reminds us to never lose sight of the goal of a more equitable and diverse film industry.
