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By Mike Cuenca | March 22, 2003
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As a multiethnic American who is half Ozark hillbilly and half Hispanic
Filipino, I must on the one hand applaud the recent indignation of
Sens. Sam Brownback, Kit Bond and others over negative stereotyping
they fear will result from the proposed reality TV show about
hillbillies transplanted to Beverly Hills (3/12, A-1, " `Hillbilly'
idea stirs Midwest dander").
On the other hand, I have to wonder why they are just now realizing
that negative stereotypes in the media harm American citizens. Could it
be that they're only now concerned about it because it's the first time
the negative stereotypes will be of people who look like them?
We live in a society in which minorities are considered guilty until
proven innocent. Minority Americans represent disproportionately large
numbers in our prisons and disproportionately low numbers in
professional fields, largely because of how the media negatively
stereotype us and also fail to appropriately portray us in positive
roles.
Yes, senators, please protest the issue of negative stereotyping in the
media. But as you do, don't leave out the third of this society that
doesn't look like you.
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Originally published by the Kansas City Star.
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