By Amalia Gonzalez–

Four girls from different social classes become friends after going to high school together. Telenovelas about social issues and friendship, involving teenagers as they journey through high school are very popular.

Throughout the years Televisa from Mexico have produced telenovelas, with a target demographic of young adults in high school. From “Sonadoras” in 1998 to “Verano de Amor” today. Love, drugs and social class intrigue the halls of high school.

Various themes surround these telenovelas faced in extreme realities. One important theme is that of race. It’s incredible to see that race not only exist in North American television but Latin American programming as well.

“Amigas y Rivales,” created by Emilio Larrosa in 2001 is one perfect example of racial differences between the characters. Julieta is a teenager who works for the family of Jimena. These two girls are from different backgrounds.

Julieta is the working-class girl, hired as a maid. Jimena is the rich girl that has everything at her fingers. The race exists without even realizing it instantly.

Julieta appears to be dark-skinned with brown hair, brown eyes and medium weight. Jimena is the typical beautiful blonde, with the perfect body and white-skinned with blue eyes. This girl could definitely pass for a white girl.

Another example of racial differences could be seen in the teen drama telenovela “Rebelde,” produced in 2004. “Rebelde” takes place in the halls of The Elite Way School, a boarding school in Mexico.

Mia is the popular girl in school. Everyone envies her for her style, her money and her looks. Mia is thin-waisted with blonde hair. And yes-light skinned! Daddy’s little girl, through out her stay falls in love with Miguel.

Miguel is working-class student that is going to Elite Way on a scholarship. Rancherito, as Mia calls him, is from a small town in Mexico. Miguel is of course dark-skinned with black hair and dark eyes.

Throughout the years Televisa has produced many similar telenovelas. Today we can witness it in “Verano de Amor” and many other telenovelas.

These telenovelas are very well produced in the plot and other features. My main concern is with invisible things such as skin color. I guess my main question regards whether Televisa does it on purpose or not. Yes would be my answer.

Amalia Gonzalez is a student at Columbia College Chicago.