Does it Matter?

Being Peruvian, with un negro papa and blanca mom I am more than aware of being "other" (not white).   I could tell tales of being discriminated, feeling odd, out of place, or different because people felt the need to point out I wasn't your typical American. However, as I grew up I stopped feeling out of place.  People still asked, "What are you?" "Is that your mom?" etc, I just didn't care. 

The whole race/ethnicity/cultural was brought to my attention when I entered College, and while I would call people out on making ignorant comments I focused my attentions on school and other activities.  Now that I am in the real world, it has been brought back to my attention. 

When I watch a show, I will quickly recognize that the characters are all white, and the show is more geared to a typical American (one who is white, and middle class).

Case in point:

Usually if there is a portrayal of a colored person, they are token, or their character development is poorly developed and much is left to be desired. In Friends with Benefits (tv series), Julian 'Fitz' Fitzgerald, the only black man in the crew has zero romantic in comparison to his friends and less screen time.  It might just be because his character is poorly developed, and may not be connected to the fact that he is played by  a black actor.

In Fringe, which is one of my favorite shows, Jasika Nicoles's character Astrid, is an FBI agent, Linguistics Major & Computer Science Minor, and speaks 5 languages is Walter's personal assistant and gofer yet she has the lest amount of screen.  Further, Walter can never remember her yet he can remember Olivia's, I know they have history but Astrid is with him most the the time.  Is it to farfetched for him to have remembered her name?  Again, I don't think it is solely because the writers do have a role as well as the director/producers.  However, I just don't think any FBI agent who has as many skills as Astrid, would be working as a gofer. 

You might be asking "So what. Does it really matter?"
Yes it does.  1 in 6 Americans identify as Hispanic/Latino, and according data from the 2010 Census analyzed by USA Today almost 50% of newborn babies in 2010 were minorities.  Furthermore, minorities are becoming the majority.  Maybe 30 or 40 years ago, one could say we can't have minority, or ethnic actors portray characters on the small screen or big screen because they won't sell tickets may have been true.

But it isn't now.  I want shows that are not geared to the default viewer, that of a white male middle class.  I want to see variety, without the token feel.  I want to see an Asian male who isn't portrayed as asexual, and only in a supporting role.  Asian males can be strong, and muscular as any American portrayal of men in the media.  I want to see a Latina who isn't just a maid, or best friend, or an undocumented lady scared of la migra.  She can be head cheerleader, or studious A student.  I want to see a male Black man, who isn't just the jock who is all brawn but brainless.  He can be the science nerd.  I want to see a Latino who isn't just a cholo, or in a gang.  He can play the best friend, the all star football player, and yes even a good boyfriend.  I want to see a Asian woman who isn't portrayed as being meek, yet secretly knows a martial art.  She can also be the leading lady.  I want to see the portrayal of Native Americans. 

Okay, you get it.  I want the media to break away from the stereotypical portrayal of all my sisters and brothers who are minorities. Because believe, people will not solely watch a show because it has white actors.  But I know I will watching a show the portrayals of people whom look me are one dimensional, or not even be cast at all.