trinity presentation2
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Presentation @ Trinity University. April 10, 2010.TRANSCRIPT
Ugly Betty:Challenging Latino(a) representations and the melting pot myth through narrative.
Cynara M. MedinaOhio UniversityApril 9, 2010
Cynara M. MedinaOhio UniversityApril 9, 2010
• Approx. 35 million Latinos(as) in USA(12% of total population).
• Median age = 28 < average
• 60% of Latinos(as) are US-born
• Majority of US-born is bilingual or English-dominant.
• Acculturated Latinos(as) tend to be better educated and have higher income.
• High rate of home ownership.
• Middle class, intermarriage.
2000The Decennial Census
Latinos: Why now?
The production of meaning through language. (Hall, 1997).
Way to summarize, organize, and convey information (Gaddis, 2002).
Key concepts
Representation Myth
Stories that become the general norm (Levi-Strauss, 1981).
“Sociological charters” that codify beliefs and behavior.(Malinowski, 1948).
Symbolic representations of “reality.” A second order semiological sign. (Barthes, 1957/1972).
Ugly Betty
Ignacio Suarez is an illegal immigrant (OMG!).
He has two daughters, Hilda and Betty, and a grandson, Justin. They are all American citizens.
The government finally catches up to him. Ignacio might be deported, but: He has a family; he pays taxes; he’s a Mets fan. He’s in the Oprah’s Book Club. He’s just like anybody else.
Trials and tribulations are meant to prepare him to assume citizenship, but it is not automatic.
Storyline tells us how he does it.
Illegal ImmigrationThe storyline in a nutshell
Immigrants, freely and rationally, chose America. They come here legally.
Success comes only after hardship. Immigrants learn what it means to be an American.
Assimilation demonstrates willingness to learn.
Rewards for assimilation:Citizenship & American dream.
Inclusions and exclusions
The Melting PotAn American Myth
Latinos(as) in the Melting Pot.
Media Representations
• The Bandit.
• The Harlot.
• The Male Buffoon.
• The Female Clown.
• The Latin Lover (+).
• The Dark Lady (+).
(Ramirez-Berg, 1997)
Research Questions
How does the illegal immigration storyline in Ugly Betty challenge Latino(a) representations?
Is Ugly Betty consistent with the melting pot myth?
Method
Textual Analysis
“Examines underlying ideological and cultural assumptions” (Fursich, 2009).
Most likely interpretation of a text (McKee, 2003), but w/o audience.
Considers context of production, distribution, and circulation intertextually (McKee, 2003).
Appropriate for analysis of representations. (Curtin, 1995).
Text
Illegal Immigration storyline.
Season 1-2; 20 episodes.
Individual scenes, relevant to the storyline.
Relevant intertexts (newspapers, interviews, episode guides).
• Authorship and its constraints.• Complexity (+).• Borrowing from telenovelas (+).• Reversion to stereotypes (-)
FindingsUgly Betty as Narrative
• Family-oriented.• Positive machismo. • Acculturated.• Apolitical.• Willing to follow rules.• Trust in institutions.• Uninformed about his rights.Findings
Ignacio: The Good Immigrant
• Whitewashing (Davila, 2008).• Reenactment.• Reward.
Melting Pot?
I think most people relate to it because it reminds them of their family. When we dealt with Ignacio’s illegal immigration, we set out to tell the story of the struggles and situations immigrants face, but we mined it for humor. We wanted to tell the story rather than make a statement.Negotiations?
Silvio Horta.Daily Variety, 2008
What’s next?Other projects
• Ugly Betty fans and brand communities.
• Ugly Betty as a queer text.
• Immigration narratives in other TV shows.
Thank youQuestions? ContactCynara M. MedinaOhio University, School of Media Arts and [email protected]