Contemporary Issues

Last Wednesday’s class about the representation of certain contemporary issues really made me realize how a telenovela can connect with the hearts and minds of its audiences. We discussed the issues of domestic abuse, alzheimers disease, and plastic surgery.The issue that really struck in my heart was Peligrina’s story of alzheimers from Ciudad Bendita. One of my grandmothers in the past five years has struggled with her memory. About five years ago, my grandmother started to forget minute things, like how to cook certain dishes she had been preparing for the past fifty or sixty years, or forgetting to turn the stove off , or turn the water in the washer on but forget to add the clothes. My grandfather started to get a little frustrated with her forgetfulness. But, about a year ago my grandmother’s memory really began to fade away. She has trouble remembering and identifying her own husband and children. Maybe she knows the names of people close to her, and she says she remembers after she is told, but the same lack of recollecting occurs about every day.

I can tell that it hurts my grandfather, my mom and her siblings the most. Even as a one of ten grandchildren, it hurts that a grandmother who I only get to see every few years probably does not even know I exist anymore. Peligrina's action of getting a tatoo with the names of her loved ones, was a great idea.

This past summer I wrote a poem thinking of my grandmother.

If one day I may lose my memory

Please still sit and stand by me.

I can’t remember now.

So, if I hurt you , just say “ow”.

The pain I don’t feel,

To those around me it will seem surreal.

The detailed memories all seem so vague

Everyday to me you might say:

Have you me forgotten?

Is your past now rotten?

My words and actions are unintentional

My memories have become alloy and therefore null.

But you are my life and will always be.

Please don’t let my life leave me.

Deep down I do remember

In my heart you will be forever.