Latino culture has always been something I have been fascinated by, but never really got the chance to explore. The culture always appeared so vibrant, artsy, and full of life and that is where I left it at, until recently. Between meeting my Mexican boyfriend and taking Dr. A's telenovela class, I have discovered that the Latino culture is much more than just pretty-colored sugar skulls that I painted back at my Catholic elementary school.
With that introduction, I would like to discuss what I have come to learn about the Latino culture and telenovelas. I started off thinking that telenovelas meant "Jane the Virgin," but I have come to quickly learn that they are a lot more long, dramatic, and interesting. "Jane the Virgin" only offered me a peak into the craziness of hispanic families and the hispanic culture in general.
However, a real telenovela has a lot more to keep up with, even though they often have a generic or structured plot line, such as a "Cinderella" story. However, a telenovela is not just a little love story with touches of drama and random twists added in, but rather it is a well-developed story that touches on different parts of culture and educates the audience too.
As a white, American girl watching even just clips of telenovelas in class, I have already learned so much. Some of my preconceived ideas or stereotypes about telenovelas have actually been proved wrong. I have learned that telenovelas originated in Cuba, not Mexico. I have also learned that not every telenovela is mainly focused on a love story, but rather some address current political and economic issues such as the drug cartels in Mexico.
However, after discovering these different types and variations of telenovelas, ironically the "Cinderella" story is still the one I gravitate most toward. I like the traditional aspects of it and classic "love story." It is intriguing to see romantic drama unfold over time. I am excited to watch a real telenovela like this because I love "romantic comedies," or the Hallmark classics. I am hoping to find a telenovela to watch that will hook me with a classic love story so quickly.
Not only do I want to be able to talk to my boyfriend's mom and Abuela about the telenovelas they suggested I watch, but I want to be able to better understand the Spanish language and culture. Fortunately, I have already begun to learn some things. For example, I have learned that Despecho is related to the act of dealing with a breakup or heartbreak, while those painted skulls I discussed in the beginning are actually called "calaveritas de azúcar" and are associated with "Día de los Muertos," or Day of the Dead.
I am excited to learn much more this semester about telenovelas and the Latino culture, and hopefully learn a little spanish along the way!
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