Fez- A displaced foreigner

Fez is a main character in the Television series, That 70's Show. Fez is an acronym for "Foreign Exchange Student," however, his actual name and nationality are never disclosed. The only information that we are given is that he is an undocumented (until he gains his citizenship) immigrant from who knows where. Fez never mentions a family, and his customs are often perceived as weird. Fez is forced to assimilate to the American teen culture in the 70s. He dives into a culture that is extremely different from his own. His friend group helps him become accustomed and assimilated into the ways of "Amedica," as Fez calls it.

 One thing that I especially find odd is that Fez never mentions any family and when he does mention his childhood it is extremely distinct to the stereotypical childhood in the US.   Fez also never shows any urgency to go back to his native country. He strives to become an American, and obtains his green card by marrying Eric's sister. His foreign exchanged student family is only on one episode of the entire series. His close net group of friends become Fez's family, almost literally. 






Throughout the show we see fez grow increasingly dependent on his friends.  He struggles greatly with being alone and is always willing to be a third wheel in hopes of not being lonely. He's depicted as a hyper sexual virgin, who always needs the companionship of his friends. At some point in the show he even fake dates Eric's girlfriend Donna and becomes attached to her, and hopeful of the situation. His circle of friends, and the mother and father of Eric Foreman become Fez's family.

On the show Fez often times reached out to Kitty in search of a motherly figure. There are many scenes where kitty takes on the role of fez's caretaker by feeding fez, defending him from Red (her husband), etc. Fez even asks Kitty for advice with girls. She gives him "the talk,"  something that is usually given by a parental figure.









By the looks of the show we can perceive that Fez came to find himself and sense of belonging when he came to the U.S. He was exposed to different music, magazines, Star Wars, teen pop culture, etc. In the article, "How do kids; self-identities relate to media experiences in everyday life," Joellen Fisherkeller states, "Many studies show how kids identify themselves as members of friendship and peer culture through media." We see that Fez learned from  media platforms what it was like to be a teen in the U.S. and they even helped establish friendships. Fez went to a Ted Nugent concert with his friends however, with a shirt that read Tad Nugent instead of Ted. The platform of 70s music and popular culture was something that helped Fez establish his circle.

Similarly, Gloria Anzaldua states in her book, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza, "I had to leave home so I could find myself, find my own intrinsic nature buried under the personality that had been imposed on me.” This first breakthrough from the familiar represents the beginning of the journey in building her own identity, which I  believe is what happened with Fez.

Social media, memes, Danielle Bregoli, and the Double Standards of Cultural Appropriation

Unless you have been intentionally avoiding the internet, social media, or any news outlets, you have probably heard of Danielle Bregoli, also known as the girl that said, "cash me ousside howbow dah.," on the Dr. Phil Show. Her appearance, was not a good one, but the following memes, song remixes, and dance challenges, led Bregoli to become an internet sensation. Although all of these things died off soon after, Bregoli held on to her stardom. She gained a principle role in Kodak Black's music video, and comedic roles in videos with popular YouTube stars. All which have led her to land advertising deals and many other offers. Her Instagram following is in the millions, depicting how great of an audience she has reached.

Take in mind that Bregoli is only 13 years old, and in a sense is praised for what she does. On the Dr. Phil show, we were subjected to the crimes she openly discussed that she did. She admitted to stealing cars; most recently got involved into an altercation with a woman on a plane, and got into a fight outside of a bar. Why is it that this behavior is encouraged an applauded when someone that is white is doing it?

The problem with this meme and her popularity is that it began through cultural appropriation. This meme appropriates black language, culture, and creativity. By saying, “cash me ousside, howbow dah,” Bregoli has come into fame through the culturally appropriated use of ebonics, which is defined as “African American vernacular English.” 

Bregoli is praised for the use of this language as a white woman, whereas African Americans who use ebonics are discriminated against and seen in a negative and racist light.They are depicted as “ghetto” or “ratchet.” Bregoli more than likely does not have any knowledge of the history of ebonics nor the black culture yet, her social media persona relies on using this culture as a funny trend to gain fame and fortune.

This is not a unique situation as celebrities constantly appropriate cultures through their styles, roles, etc. We have seen white designers refer to the traditionally black hairstyle, Bantu knots, as mini buns.

Gloria Anzaldua mentions the idea of la facultad, which is the capacity to see in surface phenomena the meaning of deeper realities, to see the deep structure below the surface.The appropriation of cultures may feel as it does no harm, however, cultural appropriation is not the same as cultural exchange or culture appreciation. People who have la facultad understand that culture appropriation trivializes violent historical oppression. Similarly it makes things considered"cool" for white people, but "too ethnic" or in this case "ghetto" for people of color.

Lack of Diversity and the incorporation of stereotypes/gender roles in the Media

Diversity lacks greatly in the media. Although New York is one of the most diverse states in the U.S. TV shows like Friends, Sex in the city, and  How I met your mother do not portray any main black characters. This is also seen in movies. Disney films often portray their princes as highly masculine and more often than not, white (with the exception of Aladdin, prince Naveen, and Li Shang).

According to a study by researchers at the University of Southern California, "of the top 100 films of 2014 nearly three-quarters of all characters were white. Only 17 of the top movies that year featured non-white lead or co-lead actors." We often see whites playing roles of other races and ethnicity as well; whether it is in films, TV shows, or even in photo-shoots. One of the most recent forms of cultural appropriation is Scarlett Johansson playing a Japanese anime character in the new movie, Ghost in the Shell. And also, why is a movie all about jazz have two, white, lead actors?

I am sure by now we have established that there is a lack of representation of minority groups in the media, however, when we do see these groups represented we often do so through stereotypes and gender roles. It is rare to see a film portray a Hispanic woman in a main role or in any other role other than the "spicy/ sassy Latina," "the maid," "the immigrant," etc. Similarly, Hispanic men are portrayed as gang members, "Cholos," "property keepers (e.g. landscapers, gardeners, maintenance workers, etc.,)" When black men and women are portrayed in media it is also through stereotypes and as supporting roles (unless its a black film like ATL, Boyz in the Hood, etc.,) Black men are depicted as "thugs", "poor", "hood", and "savage like." The women are given the stereotype of "the maid," " the mammy," "the Jezebel," and "Welfare Queen,"etc.

 It has not been until recently that films like: Fences, Hidden Figures, Get Out, and Moonlight, depict African Americans in a different light. Yet we still lack the representation of Latina/os  in the media. One movie that I like depicts Eugenio Derbez, a Mexican director/actor,  as Valentino, a ladies man who was forced to change his ways because a former fling appears at his doorstep with what appears to be his daughter. Instructions not included, although does not fail to include the stereotype of "the immigrant," paints a Mexican man as a compassionate and wealthy man who  fights for his daughter. In a sense it reverses the role, as the media is more likely to portray a Mexican, Hispanic or Latino man as a maintenance worker, a cholo, etc. This film portrays a Mexican man for what they are most commonly like, including the values attributed to them. The article, Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar, looks at the ways films have began to portray males in movies, in a way defying gender roles. The article focuses on Lightning McQueen a main character in the movie Cars, who through relationships turns away from extreme masculinity and develops the values of caring, sharing, nurturing, and community, similar to the portrayal of Valentino who deterred from a self-centered ladies man to a nurturing father. Both characters, in different ways encompass their "femininity."

Gloria Anzaldua states," ¡Animate! Raza, a celebrar el dia de la chicana." Anzaldua encourages men to try it the woman way. This can be seen in many forms, it is known for mexican men to  be extremely macho. However, Anzaldua encourages men to encompass women and a sense to learn from them. "We can no longer blame you, nor disown the white parts, the male parts, the pathological parts, the queer parts, the vulnerable parts. Here we are weaponless with open arms, with only our magic. Let's try it our way, the Mestiza way, the Chicana way, the women way."