Latinidad and Portrayals of Second- and Third-Generation Latinx Immigrants in One Day at a Time
Session Title
Humanities: Real Life and Literature
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Mass Communication
Faculty Mentor
Nathaniel Frederick, Ph.D.
Abstract
As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinx people have been underrepresented in the media, particularly entertainment media. Entertainment media has not reflected the multi-dimensional identity of second and third generation Latinx immigrants. As part of the new wave of Latinx-written, produced, and directed shows, Netflix series One Day at a Time chronicles the experiences of a Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles. By analyzing this show, this research demonstrates the changing notion of Latinidad, what it means to be Latinx, and how the experience differs within generations of a singular family. This research reinforces the importance of creating diverse stories and the importance of representation in entertainment media. The scope of analysis entails mediated representations of Latinidad and the Latinx experience in the first two seasons of the show which aired in 2017. Narrative analysis was employed to examine the Latinx identity and experience in Netflix’s One Day at a Time. This study identified three major themes that reinforce the issues and changes that affect the Latinx experience: culture versus change, discussion of immigration, and the makings of a Latinx. This study hopes to contribute to media studies and the manner in which underrepresented minority groups are portrayed - as individuals and their overall experience in entertainment media.
Course Assignment
MCNR 300 - Fortner-Wood
Other Presentations/Performances
Winthrop Summer Research Symposium, Rock Hill, S.C., June 2020
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Grant Support?
Federal McNair Summer Scholarship, McNair Scholars Program, Summer 2020
Latinidad and Portrayals of Second- and Third-Generation Latinx Immigrants in One Day at a Time
As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinx people have been underrepresented in the media, particularly entertainment media. Entertainment media has not reflected the multi-dimensional identity of second and third generation Latinx immigrants. As part of the new wave of Latinx-written, produced, and directed shows, Netflix series One Day at a Time chronicles the experiences of a Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles. By analyzing this show, this research demonstrates the changing notion of Latinidad, what it means to be Latinx, and how the experience differs within generations of a singular family. This research reinforces the importance of creating diverse stories and the importance of representation in entertainment media. The scope of analysis entails mediated representations of Latinidad and the Latinx experience in the first two seasons of the show which aired in 2017. Narrative analysis was employed to examine the Latinx identity and experience in Netflix’s One Day at a Time. This study identified three major themes that reinforce the issues and changes that affect the Latinx experience: culture versus change, discussion of immigration, and the makings of a Latinx. This study hopes to contribute to media studies and the manner in which underrepresented minority groups are portrayed - as individuals and their overall experience in entertainment media.
