This chapter was fascinating to me because it speaks as to how Western ideals and media have contributed to forming a stereotypical view of Latin America. It also discusses the topic of America’s Empire which was propelled by their military and commercial intrusions, this affected how Latin America was shaped and the needs and aspirations they had were influenced by American ideals.

The banana was in many ways influential in Latin America. Bananas were easily cultivated in Central America, which of course attracted North American influence. The UFCO had a significant impact in Latin America, not only did it control a massive fruit company it had control over cities as well. The plantations were sites of hard work and horrible treatment, and communities were faced with many internal dilemmas.The UFCO took over Guatemala and trying to combat the UFCO or American forces seemed to be a losing battle, as they were backed by powerful influences like the CIA. Which forced many to simply adopt American influences.

American products stemmed a new culture of consumption in Latin America, where Jazz, and Coca-Cola, and Elvis were admired and wanted. This to me seems to be where so many problems began. Latin America wanted to be like the North, but the North only viewed them as a foreign, and exotic place where they could spread their influence. It was only seen as a place to visit. The North still viewed them an unknown, and to try to understand they painted Latin America in a stereotypical light, which in turn influenced how the United States viewed them. This picture is skewed, and some of these same stereotypes are present today.

For me, it’s just frustrating to see how American influence affected Latin America whose people are unique and special in their own way, but they’re still influenced by their Northern counterparts. This was seen through the 50’s to today. These views as Latin America as a vacation spot and an adventure failed to teach others the vast cultures found there, that can’t be modeled in only one version of Latin America.