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American entertainment continues to suffer from a lack of representation. While things have Watch online Swingers (2002) full movieimproved, the Latinx population remains very hidden.

Latinx are the U.S.' second largest racial group with 18 percent of the population. Yet, we only make up around 8 percent (just a five percent increase from 2016) of media representation. As people, citizens, movie goers, and TV watchers, we deserve a larger share in the pop culture that we help shape.

There has been progress, certainly, but it's important to realize there's still a long way to go before Latinx and other minority groups can have the representation they deserve. And it's worth fighting for.

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Since the 1950s, Latinx barely made 3 percent of leading roles in film and television and only 5.8 percent of speaking roles.

Recently, actress Gina Rodriguez addressed the issue at the 24th annual SAG Awards red carpet. She was vocal on what changes should be made in Hollywood.

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"We do make 55 million plus of the country. No big deal, you can throw us in a movie or two. It would make sense," said Rodriguez to E! Red Carpet. "We do buy one in every four tickets every single weekend and make sure that your movies do well."

And she's not lying. According to Theatrical Market Statistics Report, 20 percent of moviegoers in 2016 were Hispanic. A bigger percentage of any other minority group.

Yet despite the overgrowing consumer market, not only is Latinx not represented, but they also aren't being recognized for their work.

For example, the only time a Latinx American won a Emmy for a leading role was America Ferrera for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Ugly Betty in 2007. There have been other Latinx performers that have won for smaller roles, but Ferrera remains the only one to have won in that category.

Credit: WireImage/getty images

But, the lack of awards doesn't only pertain to television. Only one Latino has ever won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role: José Ferrer for Cyrano de Bergerac.A woman has never won Best Actress in a leading role, but twice as a supporting role 53 years apart (Rita Morena in 1961 and Lupita Nyong'o in 2014).

If the numbers aren't disappointing enough, in the last 20 years, only three Latinx have won an Academy Award. The last time an actor was nominated was in 2012.

There's even less representation behind the scenes. According to The Latino Media Gap study, between 2010 to 2013, only 1 percent of producers, 2 percent of writers and 4 percent of directors on television are Latinx. On film, there's 2 percent of directors and producers and 6 percent of writers.

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Overall, there hasn't been an increase in the last five years of POC directors. Latinx, African Americans, Asians, and other minority groups of directors all together make 12.7 percent in film and 16.8 percent on cable.

The lack of speaking roles is disheartening, especially when most of those roles consist of Latinx stereotypes like criminals, maids, or sexualized characters. But, the lack of writers, directors, and producers make it even harder for different stories and characters to be seen.

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in 'Maid in Manhattan.' Credit: tom kingston/WireImage/getty images

On the bright side there has been a small breakthrough of prominent roles on TV and film. Diego Luna and Oscar Isaac have become household names in the Star Warsfranchise, while director Alejandro González Iñárritu made headlines with The Revenant in 2015.

We're pushing forward with Academy Award nominees like Cocoand Shape of Water.In 2018 alone, there are 11 films making their debut with strong roles for Latinx actors. And TV shows like Jane The Virgin, Queen of the South,and One Day At A Timeare still going strong with season renewals.

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Then there are vocal trailblazers using their platform to create projects telling Latinx stories.

Gina Rodriguez not only stars in Jane The Virgin, but finished directing her first episode. She's also working on developing two television shows that portray positive Latinx stories.

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Ozzie Areu, former President of Terry Perry Studios, is starting his own film and television studios with his brother called the Areu Bros. According to the Hollywood Reporter, they will be the first U.S.-based studio run by Latinos. While Sofía Vergara continues to be the highest-paid television actress in the world.

Trailblazers also live online. According to Latino Media Gap report, 18 percent of the highest YouTube subscribers are Latinx. Younger generations are looking online to find individuals they can relate to.

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So, what can the media do better?

They can continue to dismantle the stereotypes put upon the Latinx community. Not every Latinx needs to be criminal, drug lord, or the loud, outspoken friend.

There's also an even bigger issue of white washing in Hollywood. From Scarface (in which Al Pacino darken his skin to look Cuban) to Ghost In Shell(casting Scarlett Johansson to play a Japanese woman), the whitewashing blends with the colorism issue within the Latinx community.

One example is the Afro-Latina Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone controversy or the microagressive remarks artist Amara La Negra faced from a producer about not fitting the "Latina look" for Hollywood.

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The community is an even larger spectrum than the color of someone's skin. There's still a lack of LGBTQ representation (with only 9 percent is Latinx, compared to 62 percent white, according to GLAAD's Where We Are On TV) in broadcast, cable and streaming networks.

In order to solve this issue, it starts by hiring and recruiting individuals of all backgrounds to have a seat at the table. It begins with starting a conversation with Latinx community of all shades, sexualities and religions.

It's not enough to want diversity. It needs to be realized in an inclusive environment. The Latino Media Gap broke down the many excuses and obstacles in making this a reality.

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"While advocacy and consumer power have not to date challenged media structures as a whole, they have played a major role in challenging stereotypes and expanding opportunity for Latinos," the study states. "If this power is organized and mobilized at a higher rate than at present, it could become an even greater force in shaping the current media landscape."

We're moving slowly into inclusion, but there's still a long way to go until all Latinx voices are presented in the forefront of the media industry.

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