Essay - Full Inclusion in Schools Introduction the Purpose of This Paper...

FULL INCLUSION IN SCHOOLS

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the *****pic of Hispanic characters and actors in prime time television. Specifically, it will address the absence of Hispanics on prime time televisi***** ***** *****ir negative portrayals when they are included in prime time.

THE ABSENCE OF HISPANICS ON TELEVISION

Traditionally, Hispanics have been one of the least represented m*****orities on prime ***** network television. When actors did represent them, it was as fools, buffoons, or questionable musicians such as Ricky Ricardo ***** the "I Love Lucy" show, or comedian Bill Dana on the "Ed Sullivan Show." Even cartoon characters could not escape ***** stereotypical portrayal of the Hispanic male, think of "Speedy Gonzales" with his wiry moustache and bandolier bullet holders crisscrossed over ***** chest. In a study done in 1992, ***** Center for Medi***** and Public Affairs found:

Compared to both Anglos and African-Americans, television's ***** in 1992 were low in number, ***** in social status, and lowdown ***** personal character, frequently portraying violent criminals. The worst *****fenders were "reality" *****s, whose version of ***** often consisted of white cops chasing black and Hispanic robbers (Lichter and Amundson).

Unfortunately, not much has changed since 1992 when it comes ***** the ***** and attendance of Hispanics on prime time televisi*****. In a recent review of the comedy "Seinfeld," in 10 "Se*****feld" episodes from September 23 until October 4 of this year ***** a single character of Hispanic descent appeared on the show. Yet New York City, ***** show's setting, is home to over 4 million people of Hispanic descent, which is 10 percent ***** the entire nation's population, yet *****y are seldom portrayed on one of the most popular prime time television shows of the 1990s.

***** reason ********** are so few portrayals of Hispanics in prime ***** television is lack of viewers. The television community relies on professional rating firms such as Nielsen and Arbitron for their ratings and audience information. Regrettably, it has historically ***** extremely difficult for ***** services, such as Nielsen and Arbitron to rate the viewing habits of minority viewers. "A special problem is presented by the ethnic groups (***** and H*****panic) for two rea*****ns: low cooperation rates and significant viewing/listening differences ***** whites. The poor response by these groups is the result ***** suspicion and illiteracy" (Beville 226). Both companies developed different ratings methods that have been more successful, but these ***** groups are still under represented in rating surveys across the nation. Because of this lack of representation, Hispanics do not "matter" to the major *****s, ***** so their presence in prime time television ***** is nearly non-ex*****tent.

Another problem with the lack of Hispanics on televisi***** is ***** H*****panic viewers *****selves. Many simply do not seem to care their race is ***** represented. This apathy made itself apparent in 1999, when "A national coalition ***** Lat*****o ***** are encouraging Hispanics ***** boycott the four major TV networks in response to the *****' 'brownout' or lack