Prior to its premiere, the show "Devious Maids" is already receiving backlash for promoting Latina stereotypes.
Created by "Desperate Housewives'" Marc Cherry and Eva Longoria, the show centers on five Latina maids, played by Ana Ortiz, Roselyn Sanchez, Judy Reyes, Dania Ramirez, and Edy Ganem, who work for the rich and famous in L.A.
Tanish L. Ramirez wrote an op-ed for The Huffington Post attacking the show, calling "Devious Maids" a "wasted opportunity" after watching a minute-long trailer. She was especially critical of the show's portrayal of "Latinas as hypersexual, nosy, scheming and, at times, totally invisible domestic servants."
Damarys Ocana, executive editor of Latina Magazine, also had a bone to pick with the controversial show. "There probably wasn't a Latina in the country who didn't initially roll her eyes of 'Oh great, here we go again. Another Latina character that's a maid ...,'" she said, also noting that people are passionate about how Lations are portrayed on television and in film.
People online were just as critical. Twitter user @owlbedamned wrote, "#DeviousMaids: Because there aren't enough stereotypes about overly dramatic Latinas." Another user said, "Am I the only Latina who thinks 'Devious Maids' is degrading?..."
Addressing the criticism, Longoria defended the show, saying "When we get any sort of backlash, sort of 'they are playing the stereotypical maids,' my immediate response is that 'so you're telling me those stories aren't worth telling?' Those people are lesser than?'" she said during an online interview promoting the show. Star Sanchez agrees. "We don't think that by playing maids we're demeaning to the Latino culture," she told Maximo TV. Co-star Ana Ortiz added, "The more that we talk about it, the more people are aware of it, the better."
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