‘Jane the Virgin’ Still Matters! – The Importance Of Seeing Latina Women On Screen

I have watched Jane the Virgin more than I would like to admit to the general public. It is seriously one of my favorite shows of all time: the romance, the drama, everything is so perfect. 

I cannot lie, I probably started watching this show much earlier than I should’ve, but honestly I’m not mad about it at all. Jane the Virgin genuinely introduced me to real television, budding my love for TV dramas and romances, probably causing a lifelong addiction. But it’s so much more than that.

For those who have never seen this absolutely incredible show, I’ll give you some background. The show centers around a young Venezuelan-American woman, Jane Villanueva, her single mother, Xiomara, and her widowed Abuela, so obviously this is a woman-run show. It carries the viewer through the lives of these three women as they navigate a massive medical mistake: artificial insemination of the wrong woman. 

It’s honestly crazy; it’s a wild ride that involves a mysterious drug lord kind of murderer man, a baby-daddy and fiancé conflict, and so much more, while somehow still having such an emotional storyline that makes me sob uncontrollably every single time. 

When we observe culture today, especially that of American politics, xenophobia and immigration are massively complex topics, if not some of the largest political topics on the voting ticket for the past decade or so. During such a time, I believe this show truly highlights one particular portrayal of the Venezuelan-American experience. It walks through immigration statuses, green card applications, as well as the struggle with judgment and stereotypes surrounding Hispanic individuals. It is somehow so educational while still being entertaining, and I really do believe it is why I see the world the way I do today. 

Seeing strong women portrayed in media and television is so crucial, especially to young girls. Consider someone like Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), inspiring many young girls to become strong and stand up for what they believe is right. Gina Rodriguez (Jane) is such a role model for young girls, and it is so crucial to have Hispanic women represented on television. Both are great representations of resilience. 

Jane the Virgin continues to handle topics that are difficult. As mentioned, immigration and xenophobia are massive issues throughout the show, but it also addresses familial issues as Jane and Abuela frequently have conflicting views, Abuela being more traditional and Jane being more progressive, or the issue of having an absent-but-then-present father. The concept of three generations of Venezuelan-American women living under one roof can be difficult for television to portray well, but Jane the Virgin does such an excellent job at demonstrating the struggles that these three women go through.

While the main women of the show are Venezuelan, Jane the Virgin does an excellent job of recognizing many different Hispanic experiences and cultures, displaying that not all Hispanic experiences are the same. 

Jane the Virgin has demonstrated so much culture to me and conveyed the different experiences that I now better understand. It is so much more than just a deep romantic drama; it is a beautiful representation of diversity, family, and womanhood.

• entertainment
• hispanic heritage month