Here's Why Latinos Are Always Cast In Racially Ambiguous Roles

Has anyone else noticed that Latinos are slowly starting to take over Hollywood? They are literally crushing the game, but the reason is because viewers are, well, a little racist. 

Maybe not just a little. A lot. Latinos are cast in roles for Eastern Europeans, Middle Easterners, Caucasians, African Americans, literally every race you could possibly think of because they are "racially ambiguous." 

For example, Oscar Isaac was born in Guatemala and raised in Florida. Right now, he is one of the world's biggest actors after fans went crazy over his turn as Poe Dameron in Star Wars Episode VII. He has played everything from a white thug in Drive to an Eastern European lover in The Promise. Oscar Isaac is the world's go-to when it comes to playing just about anyone. Who knows he could pull a Tootsie and convincingly play a woman in his next film. 

It is not just Isaac. Television and film stars Benjamin Bratt, Lela Loren, Ray Romano, and John Leguizamo also get cast in roles that are not written for Latinos. All four of these television and film stars are famous because they have played roles that are meant for people of other races. 

Take Ray Romano. He was an iconic television star when his show Everybody Loves Raymond was on the air. If you remember correctly, his parents were played by Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, both of whom are very, very white. 

Or let's look at Lela Loren. As the show-stealer on Starz's smash hit television show Power, Loren plays the love interest and general legal bad-ass. The role, while generally non specific in race, was originally intended for a black or white woman. Loren stepped up her game, and, thanks to her agent, landed the role on Power, giving lead Omari Hardwick a run for his money. 

So, yes, Hollywood is racist (this should be shocking to no one). However, Latinos are only reaping the benefits as they can be cast in any role they wish. These roles go from specific to racially ambiguous, and, honestly, television and film need a little bit more diversity. Let's hope the trend continues, and we start to see more and more Latinos all over the big screen.