Where You Lead, I Will Fandom

reblog if youre older than ao3

Makes me so freakin mad cause most of the fans of these men are WOC, and specially Latino people (like me) that loves to see two men proud from their countries and culture, that are taken serious and that can go far the stereotypes as actors. Yes, both are handsome but they are more than that, also you can express your attraction to them without being fucking weird about it. Is not that hard.

And yes, i know that even when they are from marginalized communities in the US, they still hold a lot of privilege rn. But thinking about it; if men with a good amount of power are still treated like that...what about the less privilege, what about the gringas that chase latino men like a prize?

Very good point, foundling! This is definitely important to remember outside all Pedro’s playfulness. Respect means everything!

I’ve been really troubled by a certain aspect of the Star Wars fandom recently. I love Pedro Pascal as much as the next person, but when you take him and Oscar Isaac and Diego Luna (talented men from three very different countries) and shove them into a group you call the Sp*ce L*tinos, that is straight up fetishization. Liking someone because you think they’re hot or talented is different than liking them because they all come from cultural groups that you perceive as identical.

The “sexy latin lover” stereotype has plagued latinx actors for decades. People of color have been trying to make their way in the entertainment industry for a long time. These stereotypes only serve to push these actors backward and force fans to see them as identical in both behavior and culture.

Pedro is from Chile; Diego is from México; Oscar is from Guatemala. These countries have distinct cultures; they’re not even all on the same continent. Latin and Latin-American culture may look the same to you, but it is very special and distinct and important for every person.

I noticed this phenomenon quite a bit when I joined the general Star Wars fandom this year. I was quite distanced from this behavior but still saw all these weird “holy trinity,” “space latinos,” posts from afar. For a while, it was just something that was getting under my skin. Like “I don’t know if this is racist... but it feels racist.” (I, myself, am a first generation latine.)

After a bit of hesitation, I watched The Mandalorian. And my feed on every other platform was flooded with this kind of content. 

I totally encourage the celebration of latino actors getting major roles. That’s wonderful! And honestly, a healing sight. 

I’ve seen quite a few latine fandom members using the phrase, being totally okay with it, and that I say, “do you, baby!” But what I feel really throws it off for me is the context in which these “space latinos”/“trinity” phrases are being mentioned. When it’s included in a post by a white/nonlatine user, it’s not mentioned to celebrate the fact that these particular cast members are latino. It’s mentioned to set some kind of stereotypical stage. 

I.E. I saw a tiktok recently, made by a white user. The sound was some generic reguetón song, and the caption on the screen said (paraphrasing) “Imagine your favorite Space Latino singing this to you while you dance on him in the club.” The reason that this is a ridiculous post, besides the fact that it’s objectively ridiculous, is not only that these three actors are from different Latin American countries with distinct aspects of culture, OR that these three characters are very distinct from each other and wouldn’t be caught in such a scenario, but that no other characters are being compared to such a scenario! (With accurate characterization, at least. Your fantasies alone are valid) No one is talking about Kylo Ren singing you some angsty Nirvana song! LMAO! Because of this, I can’t help but jump to a general conclusion that a scenario like this just borders on some really touchy stereotypes (like some sexy gardener (laborer) coming to serenade you… I can’t be the only one who’s thinking this… Maybe I’m stupid but it’s the only way that made sense to me.)

To be clear about that particular point, when it is used in a scenario to sexualize (valid) a character, differentiating “space latinos” as a type, can be an act of separation, hence, objectification/dehumanization. 

Anyways, I’m hoping that that made sense. It’s just such a huge relief to see some discourse like this. Thank you a million for speaking up.

I think some people lashed out at me for seeming to condemn the “space Latinos” phrase itself, when my actual goal was to analyze and critique the part of the Star Wars fandom that uses the phrase inappropriately. As you say, when Latiné people (including myself) use the phrase as a mode of celebration, I in no way think that it is inappropriate.

I’m pretty sure I saw that same TikTok video and when I politely asked the user through a comment to think through their content, I was subsequently deleted and then blocked.

I’ve been really troubled by a certain aspect of the Star Wars fandom recently. I love Pedro Pascal as much as the next person, but when you take him and Oscar Isaac and Diego Luna (talented men from three very different countries) and shove them into a group you call the Sp*ce L*tinos, that is straight up fetishization. Liking someone because you think they’re hot or talented is different than liking them because they all come from cultural groups that you perceive as identical.

The “sexy latin lover” stereotype has plagued latinx actors for decades. People of color have been trying to make their way in the entertainment industry for a long time. These stereotypes only serve to push these actors backward and force fans to see them as identical in both behavior and culture.

Pedro is from Chile; Diego is from México; Oscar is from Guatemala. These countries have distinct cultures; they’re not even all on the same continent. Latin and Latin-American culture may look the same to you, but it is very special and distinct and important for every person.

This doesn’t take away from these men’s amazing performances or the pride that latinx people can feel when they see themselves represented on screen (no matter what country the actor is from).

As a latinx person, the existence of these characters is so special to me. I don’t claim to speak for all latinx people in this post, I just wanted to give my opinion.

I don’t think anyone needs to stop referring to the actors as space Latinos, but I do think that we need to take a step back to analyze the context that we use it in, because it could easily enter the realm that I originally outlined.