Latino 101- The Latino (Male)

The media is full of stereotypes on every kind of person.  The media and media history is full of stereotypes of the Latino male.

In brief:

• Latin Lover: typically perceived as dark, dangerous and sensual
• examples: Rudolph Valentino (not Latino, but he started the archetype); Antonio Banderas
• Male Buffoon: stupid sidekick, simple-minded, childlike, speaks broken English
• examples: Desi Arn'az, more recently Fez in That 70s Show
• El Bandido: violent, criminal, untrustworthy or promiscuous.  Treacherous, dirty, violent
• examples: Scarface, Machete

Now, how do Latinos portray themselves on Latino 101?

Latinos do poke fun at stereotypes and at themselves.  First, we can look at the men in Latino 101 themselves.  There is every shade and every size of Latino on the show, especially into the second season when they have more people on cast.  Men on Latino 101 are clean shaven, have artfully shaved  beards and not so artfully shaved beards.  

Latinos on Latino 101 and the Latin Lover.  The men on the show do not necessarily promote themselves as dangerous, but joke about Latino numbers in jail.  The men are split when it comes to the loving aspect of Latino lovers.  Some seem to indicate that yes, Latino men are passionate lovers and others call out the stereotype as false, but use it as a ploy with Anglo women who have that belief and that expectation.  

Latinos on the Male Buffoon.  In general, previous media portrayals of the male buffoon implied that the character was silly, unintelligent and spoke poor English.  Latinos on Latino 101 use this stereotype, twist it and use it to their advantage.  If they want to pick up women, they pretend they can't speak English or will use a faked accent. 

Latinos on El Bandido.  This stereotype is not quite as well addressed as the others.