The Latino List
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Top-notch documentary features strong Latino role models.
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The Latino List
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What's the Story?
From the creators of The Black List comes THE LATINO LIST, a documentary produced as part of a multimedia initiative designed to highlight the vibrant culture of Hispanic America. The film offers excerpts of 16 interviews of actors like America Ferrera and John Leguizamo, authors like Sandra Cisneros, and musicians like Gloria Estefan. Pro-golfer Chi-Chi Rodriguez, astronaut José Hernández, and community leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Sotomayor and ACLU executive director Anthony Romero, are also featured. From the different challenges they faced growing up, to the role their families and mentors play in their lives, each interviewee reveals the uniqueness of being Latino in America.
Is It Any Good?
The film offers a candid introduction to outstanding individuals who reflect the diverse Latino community in the United States. It underscores how Latinos often struggle in a country that categorizes them according to stereotypes and immigration status, while simultaneously negotiating their own understanding of race, language, and distinct cultural traits that set them apart from mainstream America. Meanwhile, interviewees also note the various ways they have been expected to either downplay their ethnicity or over-exaggerate ethnic traits in order to establish credibility in their individual professions.
The people featured in The Latino List are proud of who they are, and some of their stories are so poignant that they leave you wanting more. But what is offered here is definitely long enough to introduce a the Latino community and the general public to the many Latinos who have had a major and positive role in making this country what it is today.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of Latinos in this country as told by the figures on The Latino List. What does the term "Latino" mean? Is this different from "Hispanic"? Are all people from Spanish-speaking countries "Latino"? When looking at American history, what role have Latinos had in the formation of the United States?
Where do some of the stereotypes about Latinos come from? Do you think today's current political climate perpetuates these stereotypes? What about the media? What are some of the ways these stereotypes can be diffused?
Did you learn anything new from watching this documentary? Did anything surprise you?
How does The Latino List promote integrity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 29, 2011
- Cast: America Ferrera , John Leguizamo , Sandra Cisneros
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Character Strengths: Integrity , Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: June 29, 2023
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