Presentation @ Trinity University. April 10, 2010.

1. Ugly Betty:
Challenging Latino(a) representations and
the melting pot myth through narrative.
Cynara M. Medina
Ohio University
April 9, 2010
Cynara M. Medina
Ohio University
April 9, 2010

2. • Approx. 35 million Latinos(as) in USA
(12% of total population).
• Median age = 28 < average
• 60% of Latinos(as) are US-born
• Majority of US-born is bilingual or
English-dominant.
• Acculturated Latinos(as) tend to be
better educated and have higher
income.
• High rate of home ownership.
• Middle class, intermarriage.
2000
The Decennial Census
Latinos: Why now?

3. The production of meaning
through language. (Hall, 1997).
Way to summarize, organize,
and convey information (Gaddis,
2002).
Key concepts
Representation Myth
Stories that become the general
norm (Levi-Strauss, 1981).
“Sociological charters” that codify
beliefs and behavior.
(Malinowski, 1948).
Symbolic representations of
“reality.” A second order
semiological sign. (Barthes,
1957/1972).

4. Ugly Betty

5. Ignacio Suarez is an illegal
immigrant (OMG!).
He has two daughters, Hilda and
Betty, and a grandson, Justin. They
are all American citizens.
The government finally catches up to
him. Ignacio might be deported, but:
He has a family; he pays taxes; he’s a
Mets fan. He’s in the Oprah’s Book
Club. He’s just like anybody else.
Trials and tribulations are meant to
prepare him to assume citizenship, but
it is not automatic.
Storyline tells us how he does it.
Illegal Immigration
The storyline in a nutshell

6. Immigrants, freely and rationally,
chose America. They come here
legally.
Success comes only after
hardship. Immigrants learn what it
means to be an American.
Assimilation demonstrates
willingness to learn.
Rewards for assimilation:
Citizenship & American dream.
Inclusions and exclusions
The Melting Pot
An American Myth

7. Latinos(as) in the
Melting Pot.
Media Representations
• The Bandit.
• The Harlot.
• The Male Buffoon.
• The Female Clown.
• The Latin Lover (+).
• The Dark Lady (+).
(Ramirez-Berg, 1997)

8. Research Questions
How does the illegal
immigration storyline
in Ugly Betty
challenge Latino(a)
representations?
Is Ugly Betty
consistent with the
melting pot myth?

9. Method
Textual Analysis
“Examines underlying ideological and
cultural assumptions” (Fursich, 2009).
Most likely interpretation of a text
(McKee, 2003), but w/o audience.
Considers context of production,
distribution, and circulation intertextually
(McKee, 2003).
Appropriate for analysis of
representations. (Curtin, 1995).

10. Text
Illegal Immigration
storyline.
Season 1-2; 20 episodes.
Individual scenes, relevant to the
storyline.
Relevant intertexts (newspapers,
interviews, episode guides).

11. • Authorship and its constraints.
• Complexity (+).
• Borrowing from telenovelas (+).
• Reversion to stereotypes (-)
Findings
Ugly Betty as Narrative

12. • Family-oriented.
• Positive machismo.
• Acculturated.
• Apolitical.
• Willing to follow rules.
• Trust in institutions.
• Uninformed about his
rights.
Findings
Ignacio: The Good Immigrant

13. • Whitewashing (Davila, 2008).
• Reenactment.
• Reward.
Melting Pot?

14. I think most people relate to it
because it reminds them of their
family. When we dealt with Ignacio’s
illegal immigration, we set out to tell
the story of the struggles and
situations immigrants face, but we
mined it for humor. We wanted to tell
the story rather than make a
statement.
Negotiations?
Silvio Horta.
Daily Variety, 2008

15. What’s next?
Other projects
• Ugly Betty fans and
brand communities.
• Ugly Betty as a queer
text.
• Immigration narratives
in other TV shows.

16. Thank you
Questions? Contact
Cynara M. Medina
Ohio University, School of Media Arts and Studies
cm380102@ohio.edu