stereotype threat
Stereotype threat
To be Latino can be characterized as being many different cultures these days. Latinos can be Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and any other peoples that trace their ancestors back to South or Central America. In the United States the word Latino is used to label all these different types of people. Racism and racial stereotyping towards Latinos is highly common in the states. Typical stereotypes are: the Greaser, the Lazy Mexican, the Latin Lover, the Mamacita, maids, drug addicts, gang bangers etc.
Dating back all the way to the battle for the Mexican land in the Southwest, the unbroken string of images and portrayals of racist stereotyping has not stopped. During the time Latinos were exploited and their land was taken from them much like as what happened to the Native Americans in the east. The Latinos were considered and thought of as lesser humans. When the California Gold Rush happened around 25,000 Mexicans went for the gold. Due to racial violence by the whites between 1848 and 1860, at least 163 Mexicans were lynched in California alone. The Zoot Suit Riots which occurred in Los Angeles in 1943 were a series of incidents of racial violence against Latinos. Due to confrontations, these riots lasted for days straight.
In the 20th century, Hollywood became the fuel for Latino stereotypes and soon after it spread like wildfire. Hollywood used stereotypes such as the Latin Lover, the domestic Mexican maid and Gardner, The Male Buffoon, the Harlot, the Female Clown, and the Bandito. These days in the movies even Latinos are being labeled as two sided. White Hispanics are considered as sophisticated Latinos, and the non-white or mixed Latinos are generally regarded as drug mules, banditos and gang-bangers.
Cultural Identity Development
According to the Department of Education approximately 45% of Latino students are enrolled in Hispanic serving institutions. Attending a Hispanic serving institution could provide a critical mass from their country of origin, but that is not guaranteed. The majority of Latino students attend schools where they are a minority and as a result they associate with other Latinos for comfort. The diversity within the term Latino requires that the literature that teaches this study also considers this diversity.
Latinos play a major role in the United States melting pot. All around the United States Hispanic and other cultures of communities and businesses provide the population with variety in food, music, luxury, travel, sport and education.
Latinos are influenced by where they grew up, their generational status in the United States, and self-perception of societal status play a major role in situating their identity.
To be Latino can be characterized as being many different cultures these days. Latinos can be Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and any other peoples that trace their ancestors back to South or Central America. In the United States the word Latino is used to label all these different types of people. Racism and racial stereotyping towards Latinos is highly common in the states. Typical stereotypes are: the Greaser, the Lazy Mexican, the Latin Lover, the Mamacita, maids, drug addicts, gang bangers etc.
Dating back all the way to the battle for the Mexican land in the Southwest, the unbroken string of images and portrayals of racist stereotyping has not stopped. During the time Latinos were exploited and their land was taken from them much like as what happened to the Native Americans in the east. The Latinos were considered and thought of as lesser humans. When the California Gold Rush happened around 25,000 Mexicans went for the gold. Due to racial violence by the whites between 1848 and 1860, at least 163 Mexicans were lynched in California alone. The Zoot Suit Riots which occurred in Los Angeles in 1943 were a series of incidents of racial violence against Latinos. Due to confrontations, these riots lasted for days straight.
In the 20th century, Hollywood became the fuel for Latino stereotypes and soon after it spread like wildfire. Hollywood used stereotypes such as the Latin Lover, the domestic Mexican maid and Gardner, The Male Buffoon, the Harlot, the Female Clown, and the Bandito. These days in the movies even Latinos are being labeled as two sided. White Hispanics are considered as sophisticated Latinos, and the non-white or mixed Latinos are generally regarded as drug mules, banditos and gang-bangers.
Cultural Identity Development
According to the Department of Education approximately 45% of Latino students are enrolled in Hispanic serving institutions. Attending a Hispanic serving institution could provide a critical mass from their country of origin, but that is not guaranteed. The majority of Latino students attend schools where they are a minority and as a result they associate with other Latinos for comfort. The diversity within the term Latino requires that the literature that teaches this study also considers this diversity.
Latinos play a major role in the United States melting pot. All around the United States Hispanic and other cultures of communities and businesses provide the population with variety in food, music, luxury, travel, sport and education.
Latinos are influenced by where they grew up, their generational status in the United States, and self-perception of societal status play a major role in situating their identity.