No LATINOS, No Support. Bronx population in the 70's
I had a feeling, the people behind this project would not cast a young male Latino. It’s tough having to watch these films that re-write history. I felt because it was released on Netflix, they wouldn’t have to cater to middle America’s perception of disregarding the other ethnicity present. As someone who knows a bit about the 1970’s population in the Bronx, I wrote to the creators that it should have a Latino presence. Legendary actor Jimmy Smits has a role as a dad, which is dope. I know the Australian creator wouldn't know the population of the Bronx in 1970 but the 13 writers which only had 1 Latina, had to see how diverse it was by watching “The Warriors”.
Media reports Latinos are the largest population of minorities, in the country and as the movie going public. I’m just not understanding why Latinos are not on the screen. When it comes to these films based on Urban subject matters, I’m always wondering where is the kind like me? We heard of the term "WhiteWashing" but is black wash a thing? Now, when I hear diversity, I’m only seeing these projects adding a Black role and it’s diverse. I wonder if it’s because Hollywood is like, “Hey, if we don’t we’ll get heat for it” like Seinfeld received for not having Black comics in the 1st season of “Comedians Getting Coffee…”
Black “Annie”, “Karate Kid” and “Human Torch” are empowering and great for the youth to see, ALL YOUTH. I’ve auditioned for roles and coincidentally the ones i get are the panels that have Latino behind the project. Most of the time they’re passion projects that don't get much exposure. Tyler Perry, Ron Howard, please make a role for a Latino like the one I seen in the film “DOPE”. That character didn’t have any of the stereotypes of “Latino” I’m use to seeing and I Loved it. I marched when White people played Latinos in the “Perez Family” 20 yrs ago. I don’t want to see Latin versions of Jim Carrey or Kevin Hart, just good talent who are role models to kids Donald Trump doesn’t want in this country.
I love that Wayans gave Chris Rock a role and that Martin Lawrence helped Tracy Morgan. However, I’m starting to believe John Lequizamo and Ruben Blades, who have long careers don’t have that power cause some of you guys reading this may not even know who they are. Maybe their isn’t that mentality of helping someone among Latin actors because I can’t think of one Jennifer Lopez brought up. All this fuss America made about a Black Stormtrooper and not a peep about (Oscar Isaac) a Latino one. Oscar Isaac believes because he dropped “Hernandez” as his last name that he gets cast in non typical Latino roles. That may not be nuts to you but it kinda sucks to have to drop your families name, but it Hollywood.
Back to this film, if it’s about Black kids coming up, awesome. If it’s about the “Makings of Hip Hop”, based on the culture I lived. Along with the prominent Latinos in the documentary films like “Rubble Kings” and “Fresh Dressed”, then this is wrong. I’m not trying to put peg races against each other. I just want my daughter to pull strength from role models that look like her, who aren’t the love interest, which seems to be the only role for a Latina. I feel like the film industry cant black ball Latinos cause they don’t barely acknowledge us.