Outrage at MTV for "True Life: I'm a Nuyorican" Episode

11.07.09

ENTERTAINMENT

Outrage at MTV for "True Life: I'm a Nuyorican" Episode

by Mariela Rosario | 01.30.2009 | 1:30pm | 12 Comments

MTV

This past Sunday, MTV aired a new episode of their popular True Life series entitled "I'm a Nuyorican." Unfortunately, MTV chose to highlight three young people who embrace and embody the most negative and damaging stereotypes of the Nuyorican community.

The term "Nuyorican" commonly refers to many Puerto Ricans born and bred in NYC, constituting 9% of the population. The term was originally coined by poet Miguel Algarín. In 1980, Algarín, along with Miguel Piñero and Pedro Pietri established the Nuyorican Poets Café on Manhattan's Lower East Side, now a NYC landmark. They helped to artistically and culturally define the Nuyorican movement for following generations of New York Puerto Ricans.

It is sad that MTV chose to define Nuyoricans using three teenagers who represent those in our community in the direst of circumstances. Yes, there are Nuyoricans who live in low-income, cramped housing like Naizsha, looking to join the airforce to escape. Yes, there are neighborhoods in the Bronx that are dangerous as in the case of aspiring boxer Jose. And yes, there are families that would not embrace their children's interest in different cultures like Rose who wants to be a belly dancer instead of a salsa dancer.

But to showcase Nuyoricans only as a struggling, victimized and ignorant community is a huge mistake on MTV's part. There are also successful, affluent, educated and influential Nuyoricans. The episode has caused an outrage among Nuyoricans and has sparked an online petition calling on MTV to cease airing the episode and hundreds of critical comments on their message boards. MTV has yet to respond to the criticism.

Did you watch the MTV True Life: "I'm A Nuyorican" episode? Tell us: What did you think about it?

12 Comments

manicoquita
02.04.2009
2:48pm

Whats wrong with strugglin? ima nuyorican and I struggle day by day but guess what... if you over come your battles it shows how much of a stronger person you are. and sweetie we are goin to let every body know that we are not hoodrats like white America thinks we are. We have a beautifull live culture and we are beautiful people. I think we need to have them do this episode over but this time with people who fight for the right thing. I'm workin on goin into Julliard, and guess what MTV, I'm almost there!

Mariela Rosario
09.01.2009
11:38am

Congratulations! Good luck pursuing your dreams!!!

NegritaLinda
02.02.2009
2:14pm

They didn't show positive Nuyoricans because they do not believe we exist. Look at the trouble Alisa Valdes Rodriguez is having trying to get a movie made based on her novel "The Dirty Girls Social Club". She can't get the movie made because all the big wigs say that to have a movie of an all successful Latina cast is unrealistic. How absurd is that?

adianalc
02.01.2009
9:04pm

After watching that episode of TruLife I was reminded of why I don't watch a lot of tv, there is too much garbage on the air. I find it VERY hard to believe that the producers of this show did not see the negative themes that were being filmed throughout the entire show. What about all the positive things that young Latinos are doing like going to college, starting businesses, serving their communities, being public servants and bridging the gap between the generations of island-born Puerto Ricans and stateside-born Puerto Ricans. MTV, I am not surprised that you would air an episode that was so hateful, discriminatory, cheap, and trashy. Where was the substance? I think you wanted to further the stereotype and I am thoroughly disappointed. Sincerely, An Educated, Driven Boricua

Natalie Luvz Re...
02.01.2009
11:32am

I was devastated because the only time they did showcase latinos and on top of that "Nuyoricans" they had to be the way they was.I mean they could have put a Nuyorican that had something successful happen in the end. Before i watched it i was hype but then when the show ended i was real upset they should have put other people on the show. I'm pissed.

latinoflavored
01.31.2009
1:13pm

Latimida, What a sad entry. Generally happy? Are you high? What a moronic statement to make. It was the most degrading depiction I have ever seen of my people. It pissed me off even more than when Kramer on Seinfeld stomped all over the PR Flag in their last episode. Hey, do yourself and all of us a favor, read books, go to theater, visit art museums, educate yourself because you truly haven't seen much of anything if this episode made you happy! And if anyone wants to petition here is the link: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/nuyoricans-against-mtv-true-life/sig... We will be talking about this at www.boricuationradio.com Sunday Feb. 1st from 3-6pm.

latimida
02.02.2009
11:22pm

I stand by my statement. I am not Puerto Rican and I am not from New York. So what the "True Life" episode has shown me is more than what I knew before. Yest if I am interested in learning more about the Nuyorican culture I will research it on my own. Again I am not so naive as to believe that every Nuyorican lives their lives the way the teens do in this episode. At least someone thought the Nuyorican culture was important and interesting enough to do a show on. I'm sure the subjects in the show were fine with how they were depicted and if they were not they probably would have backed out. Be proud of who you are and if you are not the Nuyorican showcased on "True Life" than show people you are different. If I petitioned every network that portrayed my people in a negative light, it would be a full time job.

Stardust17
01.31.2009
7:29pm

I agree witht the last comment it was very moronic but the producers of this show are equally moronic to make such a degrading depiction and not expect negative feedback from it.

Stardust17
01.30.2009
10:10pm

MTV is nothing but garbage now instead of showing music videos like they used to back in the 80's and 90's all they show is a bunch of stupid tv reality shows and this is the reason I stopped watching them yrs ago. While I didn't watch the show I'm sure I wouldn't have liked it b/c guess what not all of us are the same, there are some of us who live in nice neighborhoods, have jobs, are educated, well mannered, etc. but of course they choose to showcase the negative and all of the stereotypes pertaining to us and make it seem like all of Nuyoricans are like this. Shame on them for doing that but you have to wonder why these teens would agree to do a show that put thems in a negative light.

Nae325
01.30.2009
3:46pm

I was not happy with the show either. Ususally during these "True Life" eposides, they will show case people are are "trying to make it" and then give you examples of people who "made it". What happened to the latter? I was disappointed with them showing teenagers to show the life of a Nuyorican. Why not show young professional adults? A single mom who husttles with children, school and work and is making it on her own? A young man who dispite his surroundings is making it. Just another example of labeling.