Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize, celebrate, and learn about the culture, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
The biggest way culture reaches a wide audience is through television.
TV shows can introduce viewers to different traditions, family dynamics, and experiences while showing the humor and complexity of characters that make them so relatable
Whether it’s a family comedy or a supernatural mystery, Hispanic culture can be found in every form of entertainment.
jane the Virgin
This is one of the best modern-day examples. Centering around Jane Villanueva and her multigenerational Venezuelan-American family, this show highlights the importance of family, religion, traditions, and language while also exploring relationships and identity.
Jane, her mother, and her grandmother are the perfect example of navigating family issues while still staying connected.
This show makes Hispanic culture an important part of the characters’ stories and how their culture has shaped their paths. (It’s also a really amazing show and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves a chaotic plot)
on my block
On My Block provides representation through teenagers growing up in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles. The series shows an inside look into friendship, family, identity, and the many challenges of growing up.
Characters like Ruby and Cesar have different family backgrounds and experiences, showing that there is no single way to be Hispanic.
The show demonstrates how culture and community can influence a person’s sense of belonging.
One day at a time (2017)
One Day at a Time (2017) follows a Cuban-American family living together in Los Angeles. Similar to Jane the Virgin, the family has three generations with very different perspectives on life.
Language, traditions, music, food, and relationships are incorporated into the show so naturally, it feels like you are truly watching a real family navigate their day-to-day lives.
The characters deal with everyday experiences that so many families can relate to. It perfectly makes their culture an important part of who they are rather than a stereotype.
Wednesday
Hispanic Identity can also appear in unexpected places. Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega (who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent), brings Latina representation to a character who existed in American popular culture for generations.
Although the Addams Family is not specifically a Hispanic family (although it is widely considered to be by many), Ortega’s casting demonstrates how Latina actors can portray iconic characters and allow for the perfect tie-in of culture to stories we may not have considered beforehand.
Modern Family
Although this show isn’t centered around Hispanic culture, I think the way it represents Gloria and her backstory is really beautiful. Gloria, a Colombian immigrant and mother, brings her culture, language, and very unique family experiences into the series.
While the show sometimes highlights the cultural differences for comedy, Gloria is clearly portrayed as loving, ambitious, and deeply devoted to her family, who appreciate her culture in many ways.
These shows demonstrate that Hispanic representation on television can take many forms.
Whether through traditions, language, family, casting, or simply allowing Hispanic characters to exist in different stories, television can help audiences appreciate the diversity within Hispanic culture.
Watching and discussing these stories can be a great way to celebrate representation while recognizing that Hispanic culture is not a single experience.
It is made up of many different countries, traditions, families, and identities. All as beautiful as the next.