What are they wearing? hard work and victories.

Kasandra Tapia, News Editor|March 28, 2018

Eiza Gonzalez at the 2018 Oscars.

Women are accomplishing new things everyday, but instead the media decides to criticize their appearances instead of highlighting their accomplishments. This objectifying behavior can be seen throughout various medias and the Latinx community does this with the few women representing Latinas in Hollywood.

At this year’s Oscars, Eiza Gonzalez, a Mexican actress, presented an award. She has starred in soap dramas and has recently appeared in the movie “Baby Driver.” She has accomplished so much through her hard work and dedication. Gonzalez went from acting in soap operas on Univision to acting in movies in Hollywood. Popular entertainment news shows like “El Gordo y La Flaca” on Univision and others on Telemundo criticized her for her appearance at the Oscars. These entertainment news shows heavily criticized her for wearing a bright yellow dress that was “too informal for the Oscars.” Instead of highlighting her accomplishments, they showed memes that people had posted on social media which criticized her. This is a great accomplishment that many young Latinas are striving to achieve. Univision and Telemundo are the television broadcasting networks that the Latinx community views daily. Why are they making Gonzalez’s accomplishments seem so unimportant? They made her appearance more important and young girls are taking that in. They are seeing that maybe what they wear is more important than their achievements.

Symbolic annihilation is a problem in the Latinx community, especially with women. Symbolic annihilation is the idea that there is underrepresentation in the media and it creates inequality. It’s important for young Latinas to see themselves in the media and many young Latinas have been appearing in television series. For example, Gina Rodriguez who stars in “Jane the Virgin,” has been very successful. This series shows Latinx customs and traditions, which gives young girls the opportunity to see a part of their culture on television. Having equality in the media has a positive effect on minorities because for a long time the media has been predominantly white. It’s only been three years since the hashtag, #oscarssowhite started circulating through social media. If representation in the media is so important, why do we have Latinx journalists with a television platform criticizing a successful Latina?

An Afro-Latina singer, Amara La Negra, takes proud in her appearance even when others tell her she should fit into the average Latina look like J-Lo. She is talented and refuses to want to be like anyone but herself. However, the media doesn’t talk much about her at all. She doesn’t receive the reorganization she deserves for her talent and she knows it. Latina Magazine has featured many famous Latinas; even the rapper Pitbull has made an appearance on the front cover. Latina Magazine has only focused on starring light skinned Latinas, but things are changing. Recently, Amara La Negra has appeared on the front cover of Latina. It is important to recognize her for her talent and encourage the media to acknowledge other Afro-Latinx artists because many don’t. We shouldn’t have to hear people say, “They don’t look Latino enough.” Latinx people are very diverse in appearance but that does not mean that they are less Latinx.

After any great event, a group of fashionistas can be seen on entertainment news shows criticizing the women and men of the event. Young girls and boys are learning to think that they should pay more attention to what they wear. They start believing that they should fit into the Latinx appearance stereotype. The way someone looks should never get in their way of success or people acknowledging their talent and success.

Tweet Translation: Her yellow dress was the excuse to create a myriad of memes mocking her.