Breaking Through One Day at a Time

Netflix has become the new popular mode for watching shows and movies. On top of providing shows and movies that appear on television, it produces its own shows, some of which have become big hits, like “Orange is the New Black.” In January, Netflix released a new, original series called “One Day at a Time.” This show highlights the life of one Hispanic family as they navigate many hardships that a family might face. These familial hardships often touch on some political topics that are relevant in today’s society, some of which include sexism, immigration and deportation, divorce, alcoholism, and LGBTQ issues.

By depicting a Hispanic family, Netflix breaks through the barrier of traditionally white dominated television. Instead of giving in to the stereotypes associated with Hispanics or making them seem like white people, Netflix shows that this family is a normal family, dealing with normal issues, and embracing their heritage and culture in a realistic way. Instead of being “race-blind,” talked about in Long’s “Diagnosing Drama: Grey’s Anatomy, Blind Casting, and the Politics of Representation,” Netflix specifically sought out Hispanic people to play the lead parts. This sort of representation and depiction sheds a positive light that breaks away from stereotypes.

The first episode mixes feminism and Hispanic heritage; it demonstrates tension that exists between these two issues. Penelope, Elena’s mother, wants Elena to have a quinceañera to honor their Cuban heritage. However, Elena views this tradition as sexist, because this event traditionally showcases a woman of marriageable age to the available men of the village. According to Rakow in “Feminist Approaches to Popular Culture: Giving Patriarchy its Due”, this can be seen as a display that objectifies women. This episode demonstrates the cultural values that exist in these communities, while it also shows the negative consequences of upholding such values. It displays that both heritage and feminism are important. It is important to show pride in heritage by participating in events that display heritage. Feminism, too, is important because it advocates equal rights and opportunities for men and women. In this case, Elena tries to break away from the Cuban tradition, which demeans women into objects for men’s pleasure, because of what it represents.

Feminism is a political movement to promote equal rights and empowerment for women. However, feminism can sometimes be seen as a taboo, because it undermines the established social order. The show talks about and highlights feminism both in this episode and a later episode, where Penelope works more and earns less than a man at her job. Netflix tries to say that feminism needs to be acknowledged, needs to be talked about, and something needs to change. Only a few shows today talk about feminism, and most shows do not make it the leading topic of an episode let alone two episodes.

Feminism is not the only topic in “One Day at a Time” that may be seen as taboo. Another taboo topic in conversation today is immigration and deportation, which the show addresses. One of Elena’s friends, Carmen, secretly stays at their house; it is later discovered by Penelope that Carmen’s parents got deported. Netflix uses this episode to show audiences that deportation can tear apart families.

Another topic worth noting is LGBTQ issues. One of Netflix’s most popular shows, “Orange is the New Black,” touches on many LGBT issues. Similarly, Netflix brings up this topic in “One Day at a Time.” Like feminism and immigration and deportation, LGBTQ rights are prevalent in today’s society, and are highlighted in the show when Elena comes out to her family as gay. Most people in her family welcome her with open arms. However, her father, who’s presence is minimal in her life, does not approve and leaves halfway through Elena’s quinceañera. The rest of the family rallies around Elena to show their support. This sort of problem actually happens in some families when a child comes out to their parents; Netflix wants to illustrate this.

Representation, feminism, immigration and deportation, and LGBTQ issues are relevant in society, and by showcasing and stressing these points, Netflix shows that it wants to see a change in society and see these problems resolved. It recognizes that it has the power to make and show whatever it wants. Through the use of this power to bring light to the issues mentioned above, Netflix reveals its values and ideologies to its audience: give positive representation while fighting against the established order of society.