Last year alone we witnessed at least a couple of biopics, Flammin’ Hot and A million miles away, which not only had Mexican-American leads which challenged the stereotypical legacy with their aspiring stories directed by powerful Latinas as well.
We probably didn’t see in today’s Academy Award leading actors category the deserved names of Jesse Garcia or Michael Peña, but watching America Ferrera being nominated for her decisive role into the story of the biggest box office hit of the year is an advance for the first nomination for a Latina in the same category 70 years ago when Mexican Actress Katy Jurado played and indigenous woman in Edward Dmytryk’s “Broken Lance” (1954). There’s still a way to go, but for now it’s worthy dance to the rhythm of Becky G.‘’s “Fire Inside”. Órale!