Mayra Lazara Dole's Blog - Posts Tagged "publishers"
Last night in support of Sandra Bullock I watched and loved The Proposal (well-written, creatively acted, involving editors/publishers and hilarious scenes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDdXN1...
Lo and behold, the Latinos in the film are either POOR IMMIGRANTS or RAMON, a chunky, lecherous, older-than-usual exotic dancer. Ramon speaks with a thick Spanish accent and is lusted after, or made fun of, by Alaskan women.
When will the media get that they are continuing to spread stereotypes that damage us?
How many of you have Latina/o friends? Are they all strippers, handymen or maids?--well... in all fairness, some of us are all of the above, just as much as you and yours might be. In this beautiful country we have the freedom to work at whatever we wish as long as it's legal and we don't hurt anyone. That's not to say that if you only focus on our stereotypes, Latinos will never have the same opportunity to prosper, especially in the publishing world where we're wrongly titled: "ethnic minorities."
Speaking of Latinos... I have never known a Latina named “Chica” (I’ve met a mutt with that name, though). Have you? Regardless of the name (akin to CHICK in English),check out and learn to make a beautiful Kindle book case from Chica and JO (very cute): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmrDYM...
In colloquial Cuban, the term, “Oye, Chica” is used a great deal and translates to, “Hey, girl!” or, “Hey You!” Chica is also slang for “small girl.” Chiquitica, a term of endearment, forms part of our dialect and means, “little girl.”
“Oye, Chica, or Oye, Chiquita,” pronounced with a serious tone is vulgar and can be used as a derogatory term to mean something like, “Hey, jerk.”
A few months ago I was reading literary blogs and came across a writer searching for fellow writers to read and critique her manuscript in exchange for the same. I almost fainted when I read the adorable, yet offensive/clichéd name she’d given her main Latina character (can’t say it here or I’ll give out the author’s name). The synopsis sounded exciting and a book I’d read, but unfortunately, when well-meaning writers, editors, or agents don’t have Latino/a friends, haven't read our books or lived our culture, it’s hard to get it right.
I wish editors/publishers would also publish authentic YA and MG Latino writers for three reasons:
1) Equality
2) In order to finally halt the spread of damaging stereotypes.
3) Our Latino-Americano kids are in desperate need of reading their own stories.
BTW: I LOVED Ramon stripping in The Proposal. He is SO GAY! http://64.15.120.233/watch?v=LszpHvw_0oE But honestly, why couldn't Bullock's love interest have been a wealthy, well-respected Latino editor?
360—
CONGRATS RICKY MARTIN for coming out! Wooh hooo! Believe me, it's HUGE for a Latino to come out since we are still mostly closeted. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-n...
Lo and behold, the Latinos in the film are either POOR IMMIGRANTS or RAMON, a chunky, lecherous, older-than-usual exotic dancer. Ramon speaks with a thick Spanish accent and is lusted after, or made fun of, by Alaskan women.
When will the media get that they are continuing to spread stereotypes that damage us?
How many of you have Latina/o friends? Are they all strippers, handymen or maids?--well... in all fairness, some of us are all of the above, just as much as you and yours might be. In this beautiful country we have the freedom to work at whatever we wish as long as it's legal and we don't hurt anyone. That's not to say that if you only focus on our stereotypes, Latinos will never have the same opportunity to prosper, especially in the publishing world where we're wrongly titled: "ethnic minorities."
Speaking of Latinos... I have never known a Latina named “Chica” (I’ve met a mutt with that name, though). Have you? Regardless of the name (akin to CHICK in English),check out and learn to make a beautiful Kindle book case from Chica and JO (very cute): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmrDYM...
In colloquial Cuban, the term, “Oye, Chica” is used a great deal and translates to, “Hey, girl!” or, “Hey You!” Chica is also slang for “small girl.” Chiquitica, a term of endearment, forms part of our dialect and means, “little girl.”
“Oye, Chica, or Oye, Chiquita,” pronounced with a serious tone is vulgar and can be used as a derogatory term to mean something like, “Hey, jerk.”
A few months ago I was reading literary blogs and came across a writer searching for fellow writers to read and critique her manuscript in exchange for the same. I almost fainted when I read the adorable, yet offensive/clichéd name she’d given her main Latina character (can’t say it here or I’ll give out the author’s name). The synopsis sounded exciting and a book I’d read, but unfortunately, when well-meaning writers, editors, or agents don’t have Latino/a friends, haven't read our books or lived our culture, it’s hard to get it right.
I wish editors/publishers would also publish authentic YA and MG Latino writers for three reasons:
1) Equality
2) In order to finally halt the spread of damaging stereotypes.
3) Our Latino-Americano kids are in desperate need of reading their own stories.
BTW: I LOVED Ramon stripping in The Proposal. He is SO GAY! http://64.15.120.233/watch?v=LszpHvw_0oE But honestly, why couldn't Bullock's love interest have been a wealthy, well-respected Latino editor?
360—
CONGRATS RICKY MARTIN for coming out! Wooh hooo! Believe me, it's HUGE for a Latino to come out since we are still mostly closeted. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-n...
