Abstract
We use the starting point of a young, fictional Mexicanized character to facilitate possibilities for Chicanxs-Latinxs, and others, who recreate themselves over time. Lawrence’s Daughter (“LD”), is a character in HBO’s blockbuster series WestWorld. She doesn’t have her own name, yet reveals enormous possibilities beyond a female living in a Spanish mission-style “rancho”. She must break her story loop. She is permanently nested in the U.S.-Southwest, while others break geography/time. The writers never develop LD’s character. Using a “feminista” lens, we review archetypes/tropes of Mexicanas-Latinas in U.S. popular culture. As media products are part of a national fabric, mainstream societies place similar limitations on real women. Hollywood’s ignorance is symptomatic of US society’s bewilderment about real “Chicanas”-Latinas whose cultural roots in the Americas predate European conquest. Latinxs are the largest ethnic grouping in the US at 18% of the nation (U.S.Census, 2019). Latinxs are long overdue for fair, inspiring, monumental media representations. We weave new futures for the Mexicanized female character LD based on: researchers’ borderless imaginations and real statements about Latina heroines from students (Fall-2021) in “Latinas & Media” course. In this process, diverse “mujeres” recognize their cultural treasures, work/labor contributions in the real world. We take steps/leaps toward what we define as leading in our communities. LD’s new future and our real possibilities are a “qüilta”, “colcha” we respect in our leadership voyage. In remaking LD’s fictional life, we visualize new pieces of our selves.
Presenters
Graciela Quinones-RodriguezPsychiatric Social Worker-Mental Health Clinician, Student Health and Wellness-Mental Health Services, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States Diana Rios
Faculty Communication and EL Instituto: Latino-Latin American Caribbean Studies, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
WOMEN, MEDIA, STEREOTYPES, CRITIQUE, CHICANA, LATINA, ETHNIC IDENTITY, CULTURE, LEADERSHIP
