America Ferrera TED Talk - My identity is my superpower, not an obstacle.

Activity Includes one version in ENGLISH and one in SPANISH. Video is 14 minutes long. Includes worksheet that contains 20 questions total to answer before listening, during listening and after listening to the TED Talk. Also includes a link to the Youtube Video and the video in MP4 format. Includes Answer Key.

I recently presented about this topic at the largest language conference in the world, ACTFL 2019 and found it necessary to create this activity about Latinos in film and literature.

There is A LOT of important information in so little time that talks about the lack of representation in films that go beyond stereotypes so it is crucial for your students to answer them. Since I mostly teach in Spanish, I included the questions in Spanish and like to put the Spanish subtitles on as well. Even though the audio is in English, there is no better video than this one, and I like to show it as well because it shows how just because you are latino it does not mean that you speak Spanish. Spanglish is the reality of many Latino youth who grow up in bilingual living households. This is the case of America Ferrera who's parents immigrated from Honduras to the United States.

TED Talk – “My identity is a superpower, not an obstacle” by América Ferrera

Sample questions include:

Essential Questions:

a. How does one’s culture impact one’s future success?

b. How does language and culture shape one’s identity?

Answer During listening:

2. What did the casting director from America’s first audition mean by “sound more Latina”?

7. Why is it important to have diversity present in the arts, politics and every other field?

After watching the interview:

13. How do you feel when you can relate to a film or story?

14. How do you feel when your story gets to be portrayed in books or films? For example, if the movie was filmed in your neighborhood about people like you?

16. Do you believe that there is something important to learn from every person’s experience even if we can't identify with them? How so? Explain.

I then included a Venn Diagram for students to fill out on why America's Ferrera Movie never achieved as much popularity as "Lady Bird", even though they are very similar, some may even argue that Lady Bird is a copy of Real Women Have Curves.

About America Ferrera:

America Ferrera believes stories have the power to make people better. She uses her voice to speak up for more humanity and justice in the world.

Why you should listen:

In this Ted Talk America Ferrera's examines the need for authentic representation of cultures in media. Even though she is Latina, she explains that it is important for ALL cultures to be represented, even those who do not share the Hollywood stereotypical profile. America shares from her personal accounts as a Latina actress and how stereotypes and her identity have impacted her career. This talk would be beneficial when discussing the need for more diversity in media, a more accurate representation of minorities in media, and/or Latina History. Ferrera is known for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Real Women Have Curves and her Emmy Award winning performance for Ugly Betty..

This activity aligns with the AP Spanish Language and Culture themes of:

Belleza y estética subthemes related: Beauty and Aesthetics.

contexto 1 Definiciones de la belleza

contexto 2 La moda y el diseño

contexto 3 El lenguaje y la literatura

contexto 4 Las artes visuales y escénicas

contexto 5 La arquitectura

contexto 6 Definiciones de la creatividad

context 1 Definitions of beauty

context 2 Fashion and design

context 3 Language and literature

context 4 The visual and performing arts

context 5 The architecture

context 6 Definitions of creativity

AND

Identidades personales y públicas | Identidades privadas y públicas

• Contexto l La enajenación y la asimilación
• Contexto 2 La autoestima
• Contexto 3 La identidad nacional y la identidad étnica
• Contexto 4 Los intereses personales
• Contexto 5 Las creencias personales
• Contexto 6 Los héroes y los personajes históricos

Personal and Public Identities | Private and Public Identities

• Context l Disposal and assimilation
• Context 2 Self-esteem
• Context 3 National identity and ethnic identity
• Context 4 Personal interests
• Context 5 Personal beliefs
• Context 6 Heroes and historical figures