“Made in Mexico” Shatters Stereotypes but Puts Them Back Together Again

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

Netflix has debuted a new original reality series called, Made in Mexico. The show follows the lives of a handful of Mexico’s young, wealthy, elite as they live their “passionate,” “dramatic” lives in Mexico city. Based on the trailer, the show looks like Real Housewives of Mexico City, but in Spanish…and with dudes too. Check it out.

On the one hand, I applaud Netflix and Made in Mexico‘s producers for creating a media product that showcases Mexican people living an opulent lifestyle in Mexico and with an obvious love and pride in their heritage. This simple concept contradicts so much of American media stereotypes that depict Mexico City as a hot bed of corruption and kidnapping and Mexican people as impoverished and desperate to come to the United States for menial jobs. In my opinion, any show that expands the limited narrative of a marginalized group of people gets a thumbs up for effort.

But not everybody is singing Made in Mexico‘s praises. Sadly, because there aren’t that many television shows on Netflix that explore the modern life and times of Mexico and its people, this show gets extra scrutiny by critics and anybody with access to social media. The arguments against the show range from accusing the show of being elitist and misguided – 70 percent of Mexico’s population lives in poverty – to trafficking in colorist stereotypes – all of the main characters on the show are white presenting.

If there were dozens of shows on Netflix and the mainstream media did a much better job of exploring the complicated truth about life in Mexico City, a show like Made in Mexico could probably be appreciated as a harmless piece of reality show fluff – like its Real Housewives gringo cousins. But until that day arrives, Netflix might want to think deeper about green lighting a series that yes, shatters stereotypes in some ways, but ends up putting them back together again in the end.

For a more nuanced critique of Made in Mexico, check out the story on Remezcla.

Peace!