Analysis

After reading Richard Neuman’s ‘’Mannequins Give Shape to a Venezuelan Fantasy’’ and ‘’The Myth of the Latin Woman’’ by Judy Ortiz, it is easy to note that the two readings are heavy with stereotypes surrounding women based on their ethnicity. Of course, some people are women but do not go through certain stereotypes just because of their ethnic background. The two article projects this sad reality and sheds light on the fact that people tend to be ignorant because they have a programmed notion in their minds that will take education to eradicate the mindset. The two articles tend to highlight the significance of sexuality, culture, and stereotypes in society.

Themes

Richard Neuman’s  (1992), article about the way the mannequins represent the craze of Venezuelan women boils down to the pressure that the society puts on them about their sexuality. In the read, some examples indicate that some people gave women advice by telling them to enhance their bodies through plastic surgeries. There is a cosmetic surgeon who openly admits that he does not find any odds in plastic surgery; in fact, he encourages it (Richard, 1992). That leaves the question as to whether women will survive that kind of pressure. It has become the norm to a point; people glorify it. Young girls growing up in such a setting do not know any other way of feeling good except for body enhancement. The need to appreciate their bodies as they are is a metaphor. Ironically, men do not have to go through any of these. It is upon the women to stand out and look sexually appealing. The same case applies in Judy Ortiz writing where she points out that young girls learned how to be appealing from a young age (Judy, 2013). It was not about the boys.

Culture is an essential aspect of society as it represents the values and norms of the people. However, not all traditions are fit because of the dangerous notions that they carry. Take, for instance, Neuman in his article does not hesitate to point out how Venezuelan women are like symbols of sex (Richard, 1992). Similarly, Ortiz also illustrates how culture influenced the narrator in the way that she dressed. While the first article shows the wrong side of culture, mentions how innocent a culture can be. However, certain individuals have twisted through misconception and ignorance.

The two articles also highlight the way stereotypes functions in society. People tend to associate others with beliefs set on race or culture. It happens because some individuals have no education regarding different cultures and others choose to ignore because of their reasons that include but not limited to arrogance. The narrator in Oritz’s story is an example of a woman who has experienced people being clueless about how to behave around her (Judy, 2013). She gives accounts where people have sang to her just because she is a Latin woman with no regard for her feelings. The article exposes the fact that this is happening to her because of her ethnicity. People have formed stereotypes about her because of she is a Latino woman.

To sum it up, this article has discussed two items, Richard Neumans ‘’Mannequins Give Shape to a Venezuelan Fantasy’’ and ‘’The Myth of the Latin Woman’’ by Judy Ortiz. Both reads shed light on the role of three major themes: sexuality, culture, and stereotypes in society. A closer look into the articles addresses how these issues are much harder on the female gender as opposed to male because there is so much pressure on Latin women to look or act in a certain way. As such, there is a need to restore the dignity of the female gender by addressing these themes.

References

Judy, Ortiz. (2013). The Myth of the Latin Woman. New York Times. 

Richard, Neuman’s. (1992).Mannequins Give Shape to a Venezuelan Fantasy.