Latina/X Representation on One Day at a Time
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University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 3-17-2021 This is it: Latina/x Representation on One Day at a Time Camille Ruiz Mangual University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Communication Commons, and the Latin American Studies Commons Scholar Commons Citation Ruiz Mangual, Camille, "This is it: Latina/x Representation on One Day at a Time" (2021). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/8855 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This is It: Latina/x Representation on One Day at a Time by Camille Ruiz Mangual A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Communication College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Rachel E. Dubrofsky, Ph.D. Diana Leon-Boys, Ph.D. Vonzell Agosto, Ph.D. Date of Approval: March 10, 2021 Keywords: Tropes, Netflix, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Mental Health Copyright © 2021, Camille Ruiz Mangual ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Despite my passion for writing, I never envisioned myself writing a master’s thesis. And yet, as One Day at a Time’s opening theme says: this is it. I am very proud of my investment in this work, my commitment to completing it, and the effort that it took. I am just as grateful for the difficulties I faced while producing this thesis. When I entered graduate school, I did not expect to be writing and completing a thesis from home in the middle of a global pandemic and a time of increasing racial and political tensions. In doing so, I have learned so much about myself as a scholar, writer, and human being. First, I want to thank my wonderful advisor, Dr. Rachel E. Dubrofsky, for her patience and tireless support. When I arrived at the USF Department of Communication’s master’s program, I did not know what a media site was or how to do any kind of analysis. Thanks to Dr. Dubrofsky, I now know both. Dr. Dubrofsky, since agreeing to become my advisor, you have pushed me to become a better and more confident scholar and writer. It has been an honor to work with you throughout this process. Thank you very much. I am also extremely grateful to my committee members, Dr. Diana Leon-Boys and Dr. Vonzell Agosto for their insight and direction. Dr. Leon-Boys, I am so appreciative of the many articles you shared with me throughout this thesis writing process. Working with both of you has tremendously enriched my research and introduced new ways of thinking about my interests. My work is exponentially stronger thanks to your guidance. To my parents, Susan and Cesar, and to my siblings, Yarina and River, I am eternally grateful for your encouragement. Thank you for all the times you inspired me to keep going but to also take care of myself. Also, thank you for the many, many times you listened to me ramble about my thesis without a clue as to what I was talking about or what I was even writing about. Hopefully this clears things up? I appreciate you more than you will ever know! To Spence, the person who kept me going since day one (literally, since day one of orientation). Thank you for letting me use your academic books and allowing me to verbally work through my thesis with you as you wrote your own thesis. Finally, thank you to the Department of Communication at the University of South Florida for supporting me in this journey and providing me with many opportunities to not only pursue my degree, but to serve my graduate school community. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Introduction: Latina/x/o Representation ..........................................................................................1 Homogeneous Latina/x/o Representation ............................................................................4 Site of Analysis and Methodology .....................................................................................10 Critical Interventions .........................................................................................................16 Chapter Overview ..............................................................................................................22 Chapter One: Intergenerational Displays of Sexuality ..........................................22 Chapter Two: Cultural Beliefs and Expectations as Barriers ................................23 Chapter Three: Conclusion ....................................................................................24 Chapter One: Intergenerational Displays of Sexuality ..................................................................25 Odd Latinx Lesbian Identity ..............................................................................................25 Latina Spitfire in her Golden Years ...................................................................................36 Coming Out ........................................................................................................................42 Closing Thoughts on Sexuality ..........................................................................................48 Chapter Two: Cultural Beliefs and Expectations as Barriers ........................................................49 Quinceañeras and Gendered Expectations .........................................................................50 Limitations of Latinx Beauty .............................................................................................57 Cultural Stigma Around Mental Health .............................................................................62 Therapy as Resistance ........................................................................................................68 Closing Thoughts on Culture .............................................................................................75 Chapter Three: Conclusion ............................................................................................................76 One Day at a Time .............................................................................................................78 A Changing Landscape ......................................................................................................79 The Future of Representation.............................................................................................81 References ......................................................................................................................................84 i ABSTRACT This thesis examines the tensions between contemporary Latina/x representations and problematic tropes in the sitcom, One Day at a Time (2017-2020) [ODAAT]. ODAAT centers of Elena, Penelope, and Lydia, three generations of a Latina/x family. Many entertainment reviewers and fans praised the series for its progressive and nuanced portrayals of Latina/x characters. However, I argue that while ODAAT depicts Latina/x characters that transcend some United States mainstream media tropes about Latinas/xs, the series also relies on conventional markers of Latina/x identity as tools with which to communicate progressive messages around identity. I expand upon scholarship in Latina/o media studies, feminist media studies, Black feminist media studies, and mental health representation in media. I take an intersectional approach to address how Latina/x identity intersects with issues of lesbian sexuality, straight elder sexual expression, pan-Latina/x cultural traditions such as the quinceañera, pan-Latina/x standards of beauty, and cultural stigma around mental health. I ask: How does ODAAT construct the identities of its central Latina/x characters? What tropes does the series rely on to build these characters and what tropes does the series resist? ii INTRODUCTION: LATINA/X/O REPRESENTATION This thesis will focus on representations of Latina/x characters on the television series One Day at a Time (2017-2020) [hereafter ODAAT], excluding characters who identify as male. My project underscores the necessity of understanding tensions around constructions of Latina/x identity in media by exploring the depictions of coming out, expressions of straight sexuality by an elderly Latina, the negotiation of culture in terms of pan-Latina/x traditions (the quinceañera) and beliefs around beauty and mental health. I ask: How does ODAAT construct the identities of its central Latina/x characters? What tropes does the series rely on to build these characters? What tropes does the series resist? I focus on tensions that emerge between what is presented as Cuban (discussed more shortly, but a very generic version of “Cuban”) tradition, and more progressive “American” ways of thinking. I argue that while ODAAT depicts Latina/x characters that transcend some United States (U.S.) media tropes about Latinas/xs, the series also relies on common markers of Latina/x identity as tools with which to communicate progressive messages around identity. In other words, the series engages with tropes to create complex, nuanced Latina/x characters who do not fall neatly within one box. Doing so, ODAAT demonstrates that Latina/x identity cannot be easily defined.