The Latino community has been a driving force in shaping the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the United States. Our strength, resilience, and contributions continue to confront challenges such as economic inequality and underrepresentation in politics and media outlets. However, these changes could be made by empowering Latinos to explore higher opportunities, leading to a more inclusive society.

Past films portrayed Latinos as the lower class by casting them as maids and bus servers, to name a few, and not giving them a more visible role. Until the movie “Real Women Have Curves” (2002), the main protagonist lived with her immigrant family in Los Angeles. She is determined to break free from the stereotypes associated with Latinos and be the first person in her family to attend college. Although this was an independent film, it did not get all the accolades it should have. Not long after, they created a Musical to mimic the movie running nationwide.

In 2023, we saw two true stories about Latinos rising to the top, with the first Latino going into space, A Million Miles Away (2023). The Latino who created Hot Cheetos started as the janitor at Frito-Lays, introduced his idea, and then rose to become the top executive for the company, Flamin’ Hot (2023), both of which went right to streaming services. These two great movies highlight the positive strides we Latinos have made, evolving from being portrayed as lower-class to featuring Latinos as pioneers.

We are still far from gaining recognition for our community due to inadequate promotion and limited viability. To achieve this, we need representation from leaders and those in the spotlight with high levels of visibility in many communities who take a stance and advocate for inclusion rather than exclusion for the Latino community. 

The vision for the Latino community reflects our current reality as we strive to reimagine what is possible. We must support policies that assist the working class, demand fair representation, and create opportunities for future generations. While we have progressed in media, storytelling, and activism, systemic barriers persist in education, political influence, and a cultural shift toward full inclusion. Achieving this will require systemic reforms and technological advancements to empower the Latino community to drive change. Latinos have a rich history of activism, from immigration rights to labor movements, and recognizing our accomplishments in those areas is a powerful reminder of what we have to look forward to in the future.

While it’s important for our stories to be heard, it’s also important to have them told by those who know our culture and who live in the community instead of having someone who might not know the culture incorrectly represent us. We need more authenticity and accuracy in the media and social outlets to ensure we are being described as a thriving community. As we continue sharing our stories, engaging in community initiatives, and creatively addressing these challenges, we must continue building cultural strength and envisioning future possibilities in our schools and neighborhoods.

I will end the course by saying that if you have not had the opportunity to see any of these movies, watch them; you will not be disappointed.