The typical portrayal of Hispanic characters in US Media is somewhere between lazy and unimaginative. We’ve seen the same tired stereotypes recycled for far too long: Narcos, Griselda, and the eternal El Señor de los Cielos… Again. I am from Venezuela, and quite proud of being Hispanic. I am convinced that, by continuing to produce these stories, we spread a negative perception of Hispanics to the detriment of our culture.
There are some great stories with positive Hispanic portrayals: Jane The Virgin, and Ugly Betty, for instance. We need more like those, particularly in the portrayal of Hispanic men. I propose a rewrite of the narrative. We can and should craft roles that reflect the true diversity and dynamism of the Hispanic community. It's not just about being politically correct; it's about being creatively vibrant and delivering a complete, more accurate take on Hipanics as people. It's high time our screens reflect the true diversity and spirit. Among my family and friends, I find nothing but loyal, hardworking, morally principled - kind, caring, and witty people. I wish to see more of them reflected in the media. I wrote a story very much in pursuit of this desire. The story is written for a series, and it’s called Gringo & Chacho. Partially, I was inspired by what Jon M. Chu did with Crazy Rich Asians.
Gringo & Chacho is a dramedy, a fish-out-of-water story. It’s about colorful characters, and it takes place in Puerto Rico; in a most special version of Puerto Rico. This Puerto Rico is magical and it shows. It’s the theme park of Latin music. Ricky Martin probably hugs you and hands you a piña colada after landing at the airport. In this Puerto Rico, people live “La Vida Loca,” slowly - “Despacito”. There's no need to rush because this island is enchanting.
The series explores the mosaic of cultural idiosyncrasies common to Latin American societies. It is an optimistic journey. An encounter with the charming characters and landscapes of the island, a playful display of the differences between Puerto Rican and Mexican colloquialisms - which are inherently funny, and a celebration of the Hispanic way of life. Puerto Rico is a character in Gringo & Chacho, and the other character is Latin music. The vibrant rhythms that have conquered the world will be present both in the dialogue and as the soundtrack of the series. I call it a “bromantic comedy” but it’s also an ode to our family values. You can read all about it here, and please leave a comment. I’d love to know what you think.
