For this research the writer takes a play by Luis Valdez, Los Vendidos. Los Vendidos is a play about the condition of Mexican American from at first the
Mexican came in the early 1910. In this brief play Valdez clearly explores white’s stereotypical images of Mexicans while also exposing those who willingly play
stereotypical roles. Los Vendidos means those who sold out. Valdez did not agree with some people in his own culture selling out and forgetting their values and
heritage and conforming to white society. www.docshare.com This study is going to analyze the types of discrimination in the play Los
Vendidos , which experienced by the characters. Valdez used stereotypical models of
Mexicans to make the secretary of Governor Regan, think that the odd behaviors of the models were appropriate. The models were: The Farm Worker. Johnny is a big
city thug. The Revolucionario starts and participates in revolutions and other things of that nature; the last is Mexican-American. This play showed how Mexican people
who lived in United States were discriminated by Mexican American. This is interesting to be analyzed because this play contains many forms of
discrimination among Mexican in America. The writer attempts to analyze the stereotypical characters in this play then reveal the types of racial discrimination
faced by Mexican American.
B. Problem Formulation
In order to have a thorough analysis, there are two main problems that will be discussed in this study.
1. How are the characters in this play described? 2. How are racial discriminations revealed through the characters?
C. Objectives of the Study
The first objective is to find and explain how the characters in Los Vendidos are described. The second objective is to reveal the type of the racial discrimination in
Mexico reflected in the play seen through each character.
D. Definition of Term
In order to avoid misunderstanding and to make discussion clearer about the term racial discrimination, the writer gives some explanation that can be used as the
references. 1.
Racial Discrimination Racial discrimination is treating some people differently than others or
favoring one social group over another based on prejudice Hanes, 2007:29. The term racial discrimination shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or
preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on
an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life www2.ohchr.org on March
27
th
2012.
According to Racial and Ethnic Relations in America second Edition, discrimination is an unfavorable action toward people because they are members of a
particular racial or ethnic group McLemore, 1980: 108. The term discrimination refers to an overt action. Discrimination, similarly, is used by some to refer only to
certain forms of negative actions. Frequently, for instance, it refers only to negative actions that spring from prejudice.
2. Mexican- American
The Mexican American can count a great variety of Native Americans that is many Indian groups who once lived in Mexico and the American Southwest.
Another major component is European, for Mexican Americans are also descended from the Spaniards who came to this hemisphere during the early
periods of exploration, conquest, and settlement Samora, 2008: 5.
From this quotation, it can be concluded that Mexican American is a mixture of diverse people. The Indian itself is also a mixture of many groups, and so does the
Americans who are the mixtures of many people around the world. The mixing of people who makes Mexican American exist.
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CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW
