2008 Woodie Awards
Racial stereotypes put under microscope
By Sami Parman
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Premiere
Originally published: 10/25/07 at 5:19 PM CSTLast update: 10/25/07 at 7:13 PM CST
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The performance was titled "Teatro Latino" in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Rodriguez wanted to present some of the common misconceived views of Latin stereotypes from significant cultural plays.
The performances included an introductory ballad sung by Eloisa Bass, a theater arts freshman, from "Pain of the Macho," a play by Rick Najera.
A monologue depicted a typical Latin mother performed by Yinelley Arnold, shop foreman of the theater and speech communication department. The mother bragged about her son and how he was not a "gang banger" like the rest of the neighborhood boys.
The plot twist came when the mother claimed her son is a vampire.
"My son may be one of the undead, but at least he is not one of the undocumented," Arnold quipped.
A short skit depicting a shop owner and different types of "Mexicans" he had for sale was titled "Los Vendidos" by Luis Valdez.
Miss Jimenez, pronounced "JIM-enez," a secretary from Governor Reagan's office, was looking for a Mexican to fill a political position.
Honest Sancho, played by John Perez, theater arts freshman, owner of "Honest Sancho's Used Mexican Lot," showed Miss Jimenez the various models he had acquired.
One model was Johnny Pachuco, a thug dressed in sleeveless undershirt and low-rider pants, who was skillful in yielding a knife.
"He speaks English, too!" Perez said.
Perez snapped his fingers and Johnny Pachuco proceeded to flip the bird to Miss Jimenez and recited a few curse words.
"He learned that in your schools," Perez said.
These performances depicting typical Hispanic racial stereotypes were memorized and rehearsed in only two weeks.
"I am very proud of my students," Rodriguez said. "They have worked very hard."
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