One day, while I was scrolling through Netflix, I came across a show called "One Day at a Time". I added it to my "list" and moved on. I just recently started watching (and have since finished the first- and only- season on Netflix) it and have completely fallen in love with the show.
The show tells the story of a Cuban family living in Los Angeles, California. Being of Cuban heritage, I was quickly interested. Here are the top 4 reasons why I believe any Cuban-American would really love and enjoy this show:
1. The jokes
I am not sure if the majority of the jokes made on the show would make sense to someone who didn't grow up Cuban. I laughed throughout every single episode and it makes me miss living in Miami around my Cuban family. From the common curse words you grew up hearing your parents mutter (or yell) to the typical obsession of platanos y cafecitos.
2. The depiction of the pain caused by the Castro regime
There are some lighthearted moments where the family members joke about the Castro regime/their difficulty coming to a new country, but it can get deep really fast. In one episode, the grandmother, Lydia, talks about the pain of leaving her family behind in the 1960's. She mentions "Operation Peter Pan", which was the exodus of over 14,000 Cuban children to the United States. The children had to leave their parents and other loved ones behind in Cuba, never knowing if they would see them again. It was a heartfelt and emotional moment that brought me to tears. The moment was real and genuine and heartfelt and depicts the pain that many Cuban-Americans feel when they think about the life they left behind.
3. The accuracy
This show portrays the Cuban culture so well. From the cafecito to the music and dancing, it is so accurate and authentic, which is something that I as a descendant of Cuban heritage haven't seen in today's media.
4. The message of the importance of knowing and understanding your heritage and culture
Because this is a show on Netflix, I think it is a great way to get young adults/teenagers interested in knowing the importance of knowing your heritage and celebrating your culture- no matter what it is. Everyone has a rich and deep history and researching it is essential to understanding who you are. The generation that knew Cuba before Castro is dying. It's important to capture what life was like before the Castro regime ruined the beautiful Cuba that my grandparents once knew.
The show was really wonderful and I'm looking forward to another season. I hope that you take the time to watch the show and let it surprise you, the way it surprised me.
