Someone Noticed Mexico In American Movies Always Looks The Same, Makes A Meme That Goes Viral (20 Pics)

Back in 1978, a Palestinian-American called Edward Said wrote an important book called Orientalism. It describes a way of seeing that exoticizes, emphasizes, exaggerates, and distorts the different cultures and people compared to that of Europe and the U.S. It often involves seeing other cultures (in Said’s case, Arab culture) as backward, uncivilized, and at times dangerous, which all adds up to often unfavorable country stereotypes.

These patronizing representations of the ‘other’ are still prevalent in our media today; in the books we read, the news we consume, and the movies we watch. In the U.S., it is usually Mexican culture and Latin America, which are the main targets of Orientalism. Mexican stereotypes often include it being a murderous place full of drugs, crime, and violence. According to Said, this creation of a dangerous and mysterious ‘other’ helps to secure the stability and supremacy of the Western self.

People have noticed that when Mexico (or a place that’s supposed to be Mexico) is shown in American movies, it is very often seen through a sepia-toned lens, giving it a hot, dusty, ‘foreign’ air that is actually far from the reality. So why do they do this? Where does this funny stereotype come from? Do they do it on purpose, or has it become ingrained as a subconscious habit? Who knows. But it’s clearly a thing, as you can see from some of the memes that poke fun at it below.

What do you think? Is it important that we examine the ways we represent other places, peoples, and cultures? Or are we simply reading far too much into it? Scroll down to check out the memes on the representation of Mexican traditions and the country itself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1 Mexican Guys In Reality vs. In Movies

#2 Reality vs. Movies

#3 Sepia Filter

#4 Us And Mexico Border

#5 Mexico In Movies

#6 Just Add More Sepia

#7 More Yellow!

#8 Mexico In TV Shows

#9 Clear Border Line

#10 Yellow To The Max

#11 Dusty Mexico

#12 Well, There’s A Lot Of Sand There, Right?

#13 No Blue Sky In Mexico

#14 Mexico vs. Mexico In Movies

#15 Movie Trope

#16 Before And After

#17 American Cinema’s Idea Of Mexico

#18 Even The Water’s Dusty

#19 Burn Umber And Ochre, Anyone?

#20 Slightly Orange Everything