Related videos:
The program Palmas y Cañas, a hallmark of rural culture in Cuban television, has been identified as a space that perpetuates machismo and homophobia on the national screen.
The complaint was made by the young photographer and audiovisual creator Claudio Peláez Sordo, who directly criticized the host Julio Alberto Mejías for his attitude.
"If there is a sexist and homophobic program on Cuban TV today, it is called Palmas y Cañas, and its host Mejías is the main protagonist. This man goes from harassment to homophobia with a terrifying calm," Peláez wrote on social media, sparking a heated debate.
Several journalists and communication students supported their words, including Adriana Fajardo Pérez and Daiyor Castro Ramírez, who noted that the program not only reproduces harmful stereotypes but also validates them in its production and editing process.
In that regard, Fajardo commented: "How heavy these things weigh when one wants to defend improvisation from different perspectives."
While Castro Ramírez wrote: "I was at home tormented by today’s broadcast, which is not the first time. Palmas y Cañas defends national culture, but it also promotes the culture of machismo, which is deeply rooted in Cuban fields, well, throughout the entire geography, really. But the 'little joke' about the bow tie was in very poor taste, extremely uncomfortable, and I not only feel ashamed for Mejías, but for everyone who was there, including the audience, who found it to be the highlight of a witching hour because they were simply laughing.”
He added: What’s curious is that homophobia and machismo go beyond the program itself, considering that it is recorded in advance, meaning it’s not live. Didn’t the post-production team notice those details? What was the director really directing? Unbelievable. The program's collective should demand an apology for this, and so should the ICRT, just as they did during the controversy with Hacha on Lucas.
Similarly, the journalist Maykel González Vivero shared the post and added: “A TV program that continues to display 'machismo and homophobia,' as if we didn't have legal standards against discrimination.”
The controversy has raised alarms about the responsibility of the media in perpetuating discriminatory discourse, demanding a shift in how culture and tradition are addressed in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about Machismo and Homophobia on Cuban Television
Why is the program "Palmas y Cañas" considered sexist and homophobic?
The program "Palmas y Cañas" has been criticized for perpetuating machismo and homophobia on Cuban television. Claudio Peláez Sordo, a young photographer and audiovisual creator, publicly criticized the host Julio Alberto Mejías for his attitude towards these issues.
What has been the reaction of the Cuban community to the criticism of "Palmas y Cañas"?
The complaint generated a strong debate on social media, with several journalists and communication students supporting the criticisms directed at the program. A change in the way culture and tradition are addressed in Cuba has been demanded, as well as an apology from the program's team and the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT).
What role do the media play in reproducing discriminatory discourses in Cuba?
The media has a significant responsibility in the reproduction of discriminatory discourses by allowing sexist and homophobic content to be aired without censorship or critique. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes that affect Cuban society.
Filed under:
