Selena Nombre: ___________________________

Materials/Preparation: In some way, acquire the movie “Selena”. It is available

through Netflix. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120094/
Also watch the video for Selena’s song “Technocumbia”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB812i7tOZA
For more information on Selena visit: http://www.selenaforever.com/

Introduction: We will be watching this movie with the express purpose of understanding
the diversity in the Spanish-speaking, Hispanic, Latino world and to approach the
complexities associated with talking about race, ethnicity, culture and nationality,
especially as it relates to Spanish speakers. The study of identity from an academic point
of view does not have to be a controversial one, though it may be. The vast variety of
terms people use to describe themselves and each other in Selena’s geographical region
indicates that identity is fluid and multi-faceted: Anglo, White, American, Texan, New
Mexican, Southern Californian, North American, Latin American, Central American,
Norteño/a, Mexican-American, Chicano/a, Latino/a, Mexicano/a, etc. Consider this
lesson an exploration of identity.
Preguntas de comprensión/interpretación – Answer the following questions in English
as you discover the information in the movie. These questions will often require you to
reflect on what you have seen and add your own interpretations and experiences. You
may also use this sheet of paper to take notes. Please use all the space available to you to
answer the question. More space = I expect a longer, more detailed answer.
1. Selena's father says it is difficult to be a Mexican-American. Why does he say that?

2. Selena and her brother don't seem to be as bothered by the difficulties the father
describes. Why do they not share his feelings?

3. Selena's Spanish is seen as a potential problem for her in Mexico by her father. Has
anyone else ever felt their Spanish was being judged, by anyone anywhere? Why do you
think Selena was able to overcome this problem in Mexico? Why was she so popular?
4. What was easier for Selena--gaining acceptance in Chicano/Mexican/Latino/a culture
or gaining acceptance in Anglo/North American culture? To what degree did she
succeed in "crossing over"?

5. What accounts for Selena's huge popularity among "Tejanos," Mexican-Americans?

6. Selena's success as a singer came by singing Spanish-only Tejano music. Was this
music her first love? What kind of music did she prefer as a child?

7. What reason did her father give her for learning Spanish? What was his own
experience at "crossing over" into doo-wop? Who rejected him?

8. Why is Selena's father so amazed that "for you [Selena], the borders do not exist."

9. Is it true that now, more than 14 years since her death, Selena really did succeed in
crossing over to an English-speaking, Hollywood pop audience? Do you think she would
have become as big a star in pop music as she was in Tejano music? Why or why not?
10. Watch the video for "Technocumbia" from Selena's Greatest Hits (and also Amor
Prohibido). In one of her last hit songs, Selena mixes hiphop, reggae, a brief heavy-
metal lick, and Spanish. How does this mixture work within the authentic definition
(sound) of Tejano music? Is this the start of something new in U.S. pop music? What do
you think she represents musically?

11. Also consider, Selena's husband and guitar player, Chris. Chris was a heavy
metal/rock musician. Why did he agree to play in Selena's band? In what sense is the
heavy metal culture Mexican-American, Chicano, Anglo? Are there aspects of culture in
the U.S. which transcend these kinds of boundaries?

12. In what ways was Selena "American"? How can her Tejana/Chicana aspects also be
considered "American"? From a Mexican viewpoint, what aspects of Selena's life &
career are "Mexican," which are not?

13. Racial, ethnic, national identity is not simple. The lines are blurry. Who is Latino?
What role does language play in identity? Is a lifelong Texan Anglo (Caucasian) who
speaks fluent Spanish more of a Tejano than a Texas-born Chicano who speaks no
Spanish at all?
Can a red-haired Spanish-speaking Irish Catholic whose ancestor fought for Mexico in
the Mexican-American War be considered in some way a Chicano?
How about rock star Beck, whose stepfather was Chicano and who was raised in a
Mexican-American neighborhood, and uses Spanish in some of his songs?
Can you think of other examples?