“American Dirt” is one novel grabbing all of the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The book, written by a Puerto Rican woman, has been dragged for relying on stereotypes and tropes about Mexicans to tell a tale of migrating to the U.S. Several celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, have praised the book sparking a more severe backlash from people. The novel has led to a Twitter trend of Latinos writing their own Latino novels using the same kinds of stereotypes found throughout the book.

Latinos on Twitter are dragging “American Dirt” author Jeanine Cummins.

Social media has been calling out Jeanine Cummins and everyone who has endorsed “American Dirt.” The main complaint has been the insensitive and stereotypical writing trying to tell a Mexican story from a non-Mexican writer.

It wasn’t long until Latino Twitter users took to the micro-blogging site to show how ludicrous the book is.

Several creatives have shared paragraphs playing up tired and offensive stereotypes to shine a light on what they see in “American Dirt.” Some stars, like Salma Hayek, have had to apologize for promoting the book without reading it.

Latinos from all walks, not just Mexican, have joined in on the social media trend.

There have long been discussions about the proper representation of Latinos in media. From books to movies to television to comics, the conversations have long revolved around the lack of the people telling the stories. “American Dirt” is another example of someone not from an experience writing about the experience and totally missing the mark.

Some of the tweets are short and sweet but pack a punch.

The backlash against “American Dirt” has been so strong and sustained that even Oprah Winfrey has had to change her tune. The media megastar has announced a deeper panel discussion about the book to really bring to light the underlying frustrations with the books.

Latinos have long been underrepresented and ignored but it seems critics are on track to win this battle.

What do you think about the controversy around “American Dirt” and the celebrities who praised and promoted it without reading it?

READ: Here’s Why The Oprah Winfrey-Promoted Book ‘American Dirt’ Is Getting So Much Heat

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We adore Salma Hayek. We love her so much. We wish a million Salma Hayek’s were working in Hollywood, representing the Latino community. Just imagine what that would look like! Talented, smart, opinionated, hilarious, feisty, and beautiful (inside and out) Latinas working in film and TV, being seen on the red carpet and showing the world what they are made of. It would be something for sure. How did we ever survive without her? That’s the real question. 

In a brief 11-minute video, Salma Hayek discussed her fashion choices from the past, but through that also shared some remarkable stories since she first launched her career in Hollywood back in 1996.

Hayek, who is now a Hollywood veteran and also starring in the new film “Like A Boss,” opened up a book of fashion from her past. The video, presented by Vogue, showed the actress from the moment she stepped on the scene in Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado.” There was no way anyone could deny Hayek’s beauty, which meant she made a splash on the red carpet. 

What is so fascinating about hearing Hayek speak about her fashion choices is that she was very determined to express what she wanted and not follow the advice of others, even if she wasn’t being taken seriously just yet. That, of course, changed quickly because Hayek wasn’t your average Hollywood beauty. Hayek had a lot to say and a lot to show whether you liked it or not. 

One of the most shocking (and entertaining) parts of the video is when Hayek explains a monkey that was in the Frida movie attacked her viciously. 

Hayek recalled the incident while looking at a picture of her first Vogue photoshoot in 2002. Hayek’s portrait was emulating her Frida role and was pictured alongside a monkey that was in the film. It’s widely known that Frida Kahlo had a pet monkey, which she captured in paintings often. 

“I was very proud to be part of Vogue for the first time in my life,” Hayek said. “This monkey, who was named Tyson, actually attacked me during the filming of Frida, and I was really severely injured.” 

Hayek doesn’t explain how she was injured or what the monkey did precisely, but it could have attacked her precious face.

“But I was brave enough to let him come back and work again in the movie, and then I still did a photoshoot with him for Vogue afterward.” Hayek said jokingly, “I was really hoping he wouldn’t go for my face.”

The monkey in the photoshoot looks pretty shocked as well. He probably couldn’t believe that he was still able to work and not just sent back to the zoo. 

Some other gems from the video included Hayek going on and on about how she set fashion trends. For example, she was the original Ariana Grande. 

Hayek attended the MTV Movie Awards in 1996 and was nominated for Best Kiss. Hayek discussed her late ’90s fashion sense, which included a dark lipstick and tight black dress, but the real highlight for her was the ponytail. 

“I really like the hair,” Hayek said. “I was channeling Ariana Grande before Ariana Grande was born.” Just for reference, Ariana Grande was around 3-years-old at the time of Hayek’s high ponytail. 

Hayek also launched the tiara headdress look, which was previously intended for royalty or pageant queens only.

The actress said back in the early ’90s when she was a relative nobody, she wanted to spruce up her look by wearing a tiara. Hayek noted that in the beginning stages of her career, no one wanted to dress a Mexican who probably wouldn’t last in Hollywood. So, to make a grander red carpet entrance, Hayek paired up her dress with a tiara even though her entire team told her not to. Hayek said she was proud of herself for sticking with her gut and taking a fashion risk. 

She said soon after she wore the tiara, Hollywood actresses started wearing crowns too. And she never got credit for being the first to do it. Hayek added that decorating one’s head is just as crucial as wearing jewelry and makeup. She said wearing a headdress became a custom of hers and was probably inspired by Frida’s famous crown of flowers. She said she aims to adorn her head as much as possible. 

Salma, we speak for the entire world when we say, you can wear whatever you want for the rest of your life. We will always love you. 

READ: Salma Hayek’s 29 Boldest Looks

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