The “La Bamba” Remake: Latino Identity vs. Hollywood

With the recent announcement of WB’s “La Bamba” remake, we ask: Did Hollywood whitewash Luis Valdez’s 1987 film classic, and will the remake do better? And how much of your identity would you sacrifice to be seen by mainstream media?

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Brown & Black, we use the announcement of the “La Bamba” remake to discuss identity, assimilation, and the paradox of Latino representation in mainstream media.

Episode Summary: 📝

• Revisiting La Bamba in 2024
• Ritchie Valens’ Latino identity: Authenticity vs. Acceptance
• The upcoming La Bamba remake: Challenges and opportunities
• The paradox of Latino representation in mainstream media
• Mainstream media’s history and role in Latino erasure
• Time for a cultural reckoning

Notable Quotes: ❞

“How white do you have to be to become mainstream?” — Mike Sargent

“You want to make a million people disappear? Here’s how you do it. Don’t cover them. Don’t nominate them. Don’t talk about them.” – Jack Rico

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