U.S. television series Modern Family and its Colombian star, Sofia Vergara, have been criticized for the negative latino stereotypes her character allegedly perpetuates.
Criticism has always been simmering over the negative representation of Latinos through Sofia’s character, with critics often pointing out that most jokes involving her character relate to Latin America’s underdevelopment or alleged penchant for armed conflict.
However with a new episode entitled “Fulgencio”, some critics believe the show’s writers have overstepped the mark. Devoted primarily to a visit from the Colombian relatives of Vergara’s character, the show relentlessly lampoons Latin American stereotypes. To give just one example, one of the Colombian relatives in the episode asks where the river is in order to wash their clothes, as if to imply that washing machines do not exist in Colombia.
One critic has suggested that just because the show’s writers may themselves be poking fun at the absurd stereotype, does not preclude the show from reinforcing it.
