Latin America

Carmen Miranda

Carmen Miranda is certainly an element of popular culture in modern Latina women, even if they would not like to admit it. In 1940, she made an American film, "Down Argentine Way." Her official Web site says, "The movie was criticized in Brazil and forbidden in Argentina, since it showed the country in a ridiculous way. However, it was a great success with the American public" (Editors). The situation has not really changed all that much. America is still largely ignorant of true Latin American culture and customs, and they see Latina women as sex objects, just like Carmen Miranda. Another writer notes, "In American musicals, Miranda performed extravagantly flamboyant numbers involving swaying hips, exaggerated facial expressions, kitschy sexy costumes, and 'think-big' style props" (Stam 84). She was a farce and exaggerated, and that is true of many Latina performers even today. A good example is Jennifer Lopez, who is famous for wearing outrageously provocative costumes and gowns, and her latest single is "Do it Well," a provocative title with a punchy, very raunchy beat. She uses her sex to sell her work, and it cheapens her and her work.

I do not think Hollywood would accept many Latina performers if they did not play to this exotic idea of Latina women. It seems to be a stereotype that has held on from even before Carmen Miranda, and she just underscored it. Americans accept and promote stereotypes like this, and the performers mold to them, either consciously or unconsciously, in an attempt to broaden their careers and become famous, and even infamous. Lopez is so well-known for her sexy dresses and her music, and it is interesting that she seems to play to a Latin crowd, while promoting the stereotypes of Latina women. It seems like Latina women may never be able to shake off that stereotype of sex and exaggeration if they do not shake off their acceptance of it in their performers and lives.

References

Editors. "Biography." CarmenMiranda.com. 2005. 31 Aug. 2007. http://www.carmenmiranda.net/about/biography3.htm

Editors. "Jennifer Lopez." JenniferLopez.com. 2007. 31 Aug. 2007. http://www.jenniferlopez.com/

Stam, Robert. Tropical Multiculturalism: A Comparative History of Race in Brazilian Cinema and Culture. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1997.