DIOS MIO From a Bereft Latino
-Kirk Acevedo

Question? Why can’t a Latino save the world? Why can’t a Latino woo and win the girl? Why can’t a Latino ever hold the keys to the magic kingdom? Find the cure for cancer. Be the star who owns the cute dog in a rom/com?

I’ve played or have been offered
so many of the same three parts.
It’s like this, onscreen I will either
ROB, RAPE or KILL YOU
and then eventually die in the end.
The mundane sameness is soul numbing for an artist.

I mean hand to God I don’t know how many times I can play dying differently.
(I’ve died 19 times on screen)
Truly, my reel that gets sent out to producers and studios is like, “Here’s me dying in a blue shirt, here’s me dying in a green shirt...”

And then when I’m not trying to
rob, rape or kill you,
(again onscreen, to clarify)
I’m your loyal, God fearing, Latino best friend! The guy who never comes up with the idea to solve the problem but the one who helps the hero with his brilliant plan.

Which usually entails
me looking loyal and edgy all the while having to emasculate myself
to make the hero appear more heroic.

I remember telling producers once
where I spent most of my onscreen
time answering the phone,
I said, “You realize you have a shark riding a tricycle, don’t you?”
It was a momentary giggle like I’d just told a funny joke.
Nothing changed.
Nothing ever does.

I can’t help it that in real life I’mma
motherfucka that can get shit done!
I was born that way. You grow up in the South Bronx in the 70’s and 80’s you have to learn a certain skill set very quickly or survival will not be an option.

You grew up with your feet to the fire and your head barely above water. What’s that about a person getting good at whatever they practice? Plug that in here.
(Already groomed to be a heroic leader from birth!)

Not since 2001 in Spy Kids when Robert Rodriguez wrote and directed that huge hit movie has a Latino family saved
the world. That’s almost 20 years kids. Astonishing given how many Latinos make up the economics of movie going demographics.

Latinos represent 1/5th of the
U.S. population and about
25% of all moviegoers in the
United States.

AND YET our representation in the entertainment industry is at 3%.

3% OF THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE
IN OUR INDUSTRY!
(That’s Actors, Grips, Directors, etc)

LET THAT SINK IN...

Someone once told me,
“Skillz pay the bills!”
This is not true. Doesn’t matter
how skilled you are if there aren't enough parts for Latinos.
Not only do we have to fight a racist
president for inclusion and equality
in our own country, but that same fight exists in Hollywood.

Listen, the crux of my complaint is about the one dimensional parts that are normally offered to us and the lack of opportunities for Latinos in ALL facets of production.
Is it too much to ask to have more Latinos on film and TV and be number one on that damn call sheet?

So back to my question, why can’t a Latino play someone who saves the world, who empowers the people, uplifts its' culture instead of perpetuating false stereotypes?

I can’t speak for all my Latino brothers and sisters but I’m pretty sure they’re like me, tired of robbing and raping or happily agreeing with the white lead and handing him his keys.

I do blame this late night introspection on the Covid crisis. Because every night for almost five months now, I watch a movie with my daughter. And I realized how under represented we are as a people. And with my daughter eyeing a possible career in entertainment in the future...

I want to offer her more than
was offered to me. If she can’t
ever see her Dad save the world that’s okay, but maybe there’s still hope for her and her generation.
All those kids with stars in their eyes coming up behind me.

And if it doesn’t work out that way I just really needed written testimony that I spoke up for us all.
Because we deserve better!

Sooo...
Why can’t a Latino save the fucking world?!

#DiosMiofromABereftLatino
#KidVicious