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A Latinx conversation with Gentefied actor J.J. Soria

By Stephanie Quintanar

Long Beach City College celebrated Latinx Heritage Month on September 23 by hosting a Facebook Live with “Gentefied” actor J.J. Soria to discuss the struggles of Latinx communities in the Latinx culture, personal aspirations, and voting season. 

Dr. Mike Munoz, Vice President of LBCC Student Services moderated the afternoon discussion by opening with a warm “bienvenidos” or “welcome” to all, signifying a culturally inclusive event filled with Latinx pride.

Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month is important to the LBCC community since “More than 56% of the student population identifies as Latinx, Chicano, and Hispanic” said Munoz. Latinx Month highlights the history, culture, and achievements of Latinx communities in the United States and around the world due to many Latinx diasporas.

The term Latinx is used to describe anyone with Latin American origin or descent that prefers to use gender neutral terms. 

According to Aug. 2020 Pew Research, only 3% of Latinos use the term Latinx, and the study estimates that Latinx might replace Latino in the future to represent the community at large. Latin America is considered not as progressive about LGBTQA movements compared to the United States; this is why only 3% of Latinos will use Latinx for now.

Latinx was a controversial subject in the Netflix series “Gentefied,” first released in Feb., and the series did not blur any lines to the realities that Latinos/Latinas face in their own culture. 

A clip reel from the Netflix hit series Gentefied. Source by Netflix 2020

Munoz asked J.J. Soria about Latino stereotypes in the media, and about the importance of diverse personification of Latinos in media besides machismo subculture.

Soria said, “I guess the feedback that I have gotten from the show, it’s really important, and resonates with a lot of males which doesn’t surprise me though. Because we are all human beings. The reason is maybe it’s that characters have been written that way, prior to serving the storyline. So, they don’t talk about the fact that this guy reads or cries.

“Cholos and gangsters are complex people. And I feel that men, Latinx men specifically, were taught to be macho, and you know, suck it up. That’s still part of me too, in my own head, suck it up, you have to be a man. I have to give myself the moments to be vulnerable, and not be ashamed of it. This character gives them permission.” 

Munoz’s daughter, Miranda Munoz further probed Soria in the Q&A panel and asked what ways he went against the machismo subculture in Latinx community. 

Soria said, “I myself, and I go against it by being transparent about it. I think culturally, we have been taught that nothing breaks me. I think breaking the normal is being honest of what fits best for you. There’s no agenda.” 

Mike Munoz replied that people must stop wearing social masks to fit other people’s ideas and create a better person for themselves.

Another Q&A participant by Familia Sanudo Escobedo questioned how Soria felt about being a minority in the entertainment industry versus non-minority actors. 

Going with the flow of things has been his motto to keep pushing from the adversities that he has faced in the industry.

Soria quoted Pastor Charles R. Swindoll by saying “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.” Whenever he feels negative about a situation, like the pandemic, he said he decided to take control of what he can control. Soria said he kept his mind focussed on gratitude, so he can manifest things that he wanted in his life. And that’s how he found himself on major movie sets by believing in himself during adversity.

“Look at life through a lens of gratitude and everything that matters will come into focus. I am not sure if it’s cultural. Traveling showed me that we are privileged, and we just focus on our hardships when things are tough. Because I keep my mind focused on gratitude it keeps me in a healthy mindset,” said Soria.

One of the last questions in the discussion was prompted by Que Beas on how Soria can encourage the Latinx community to vote during this election season. 

Mike Munoz said the election is a consequential time for the Latinx community, and asked what words of motivation would Soria give to those who can vote. 

Soria acknowledged the fact that a lot of people are indifferent about the election, because the news has many divided to think one way about certain topics. He said he agreed that politics can leave many overwhelmed, and that people who have the right to vote should make an impact for those who don’t have the same right.

“I can’t neglect my responsibility, because that’s just showing everyone else that they can neglect it too or thinking about it. I mean who is going to be voting? Well, I have to do my part to keep myself accountable. Read up on everyone and try to make the best decisions that I can,” Soria said.

The discussion had some powerful messages to the Latinx community about the responsibility to vote, how to cope with culture struggles, and personal aspirations. 

Also, Soria verified that “Gentefied” will return to Netflix for a second season, and will begin filming next year. Although the show will take a while to return, Soria said that it will be worth the wait. 

This discussion was only a kickoff event to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, said Mike Munoz, and more information on upcoming events can be found at  https://www.lbcc.edu/latinx

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