The 2023 LDC White Paper offers a thought-provoking analysis of how the terms “POC” (People of Color) and “BIPOC” (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) impact the visibility and representation of U.S. Latinos in English-language media. This white paper critically examines the problematic nature of these umbrella terms, which often obscure the distinct experiences and contributions of Latinos in the United States. By grouping U.S. Latinos under these broad categories, the media industry inadvertently downplays the significant role that Latinos play in society, culture, and the economy, thereby diverting opportunities and resources away from this vibrant community.
A key focus of this white paper is the urgent need for proportional segmentation that accurately reflects U.S. Latinos’ unique identity and contributions. The report highlights how the lack of precise categorization harms U.S. Latinos by hiding their underrepresentation and by diminishing their impact on the U.S. economy. Notably, despite Latinos constituting 19.1% of the U.S. population and contributing $3.2 trillion to the GDP, their on-screen representation remains dismally low at just 6%. The 2023 LDC White Paper argues that true media equity cannot be achieved without recognizing and addressing these disparities.
The white paper also discusses the broader implications of using these umbrella terms, not just in media, but across various industries. The findings reveal that using terms like POC and BIPOC often results in misleading narratives that do not accurately represent the challenges and successes of U.S. Latinos. This misrepresentation is not only harmful to the Latino community but also detrimental to business interests, as it overlooks the significant economic contributions and market potential of this demographic.
For more insights into U.S. Latinos’ economic impact, the white paper references the 2023 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. These documents provide additional data and context that further support the need for a more accurate representation of Latinos.