MovieChat Forums > The Get Down (2016) Discussion > No LATINOS, No Support. Bronx population...

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.

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I saw latinos in that trailer. You just want to start s**t and be negative about something. By the way, how are black people treated in latin countries? Do you complain about THAT?

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I'm watching now, and there's a LOT of Latino's in it. I am proud of my Spanish and Black side and seeing them all in here. I just wish Jaden Smith wasn't in this, he *beep* sucks at acting.

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Clearly you never knew what you were talking about. But that's what dummies use this for.

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and everyone is too pretty.

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and everyone is too pretty.


That is my problem with the show. They have perfect afros and line ups, which was not seen in the 70's. Everyone also looks too clean.

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I'm white, so I'm not even going to pretend that I know what it's like to be discriminated against on such an institutionalized level as blacks and Latinos face every day in this country. Also, like everyone else, I haven't seen this show, but I'm excited to watch it. Standing on the outside of this issue, the trailer seemed to show a nicely diverse cast. Blacks, Latinos, a mixture of the two. Also, it seems to cover a wide number of demographics economically. You have a girl that's obvious being raised in a zealously Christian home, street kids, business men, artists, musicians... Such a fascinating time in America's history and in such a historically significant location.

It's terrible what racism has done. It's terrible that this country has, indeed, been built on the backs of slaves and the oppressed. It's even worse that our culture demonizes slavery on one hand but excuses it on the other, telling black people they should just "get over it" and "not all white people".

I see shows like this and I see hope. Maybe it's not going to be perfect. Maybe Latinos are going to feel left out (and yeah, that DOES happen all the *beep* time, and it's not okay). But it has sparked this conversation. And hopefully it'll spark many others. I'd like to think there is a shift happening. In the midst of all the cultural appropriation and the racism, there are people that are waking up. The very fact that this show exists and is going to be played on such a wide-reaching network as Netflix can only help the fight against racism.

You all deserve your voice to tell your stories. I hope to see more media like this, and I hope to see it improve to accurately portray the beauty of human diversity. I'm not going to excuse white privilege in the media. It's real. It's pervasive. It's insidious. But some of us are listening. I'm willing to learn and be challenged. I just want you all to know you're getting through to some of us! And I'm glad I get to share a planet with you.

"I guarantee, if you read it again, you'll realize he is not feeding his rooster to her cat."

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Well, it's largely being made by white people so I wouldn't use this as an example of us having a "voice to tell our stories".

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Usually it's white people making this argument but okay whatever's...

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@TheCaptainDanger

You spoke the truth--good post! Now,if you're had a chance to see the show, what did you think about it?

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Big up the Arsonists!

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You know, I'm surprised this issue hasn't been getting more attention. I'm a white guy, but I've noticed that blacks have a heavy minority presence in the film industry, and in television Asians and even Indians are coming up, but while Latinos are clearly emerging as the largest ministry class, their entertainment stock doesn't seem to be rising. I'm curious to see when the tipping point comes

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Considering Robert Rodriguez, Guillermo Del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, and Gaspar Noe are some of the biggest directors right now you'd think we'd be seeing some more brown faces on the screen. I don't know what the deal is.

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You'll never get what you want if you don't know what it is.

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Only a white person would say blacks have a "heavy" presence in the film industry. The only race that has a "heavy" presence in film are whites.

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You missread

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Or maybe it is just a story cantered around this particular group and not trying to exclude on purpose. It is also a series so more characters can be added in future.

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Latinos are the biggest minority in America...because they keep sneaking across the boarder from meh-he-ko

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