Latinos and Prime Time

Thank you for your article on the declining and often negative portrayal of Latinos in prime-time television (“Study No Surprise to Latinos,” Sept. 8). It has often puzzled me how 23 million Latino Americans, many of them doctors, lawyers, teachers, legislators and artists, could continue to remain ignored on prime-time television. Even worse, Latinos are continually portrayed as criminals or in menial labor positions.

Latinos will be the largest minority group in the United States by the year 2000, and yet we are barely a blip on the landscape that is prime-time television. Even from an economic point of view, it does not make sense to ignore the Latino market.

It is truly sad that we must look as far back as “Chico and the Man” for an example of an outstanding Latino program. Network programmers in charge of development must be made aware of the talent that exists within our community. Only when we become involved in the creation of programming will we be able to change the face of prime time.

F.A. TORRES JR.

Studio City