In 1969, Sesame Street hit the airwaves on PBS and forever changed children’s television programming. Known for its progressive approach to educating children, the show became well-known for promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. This quality is clearly defined by its multicultural casting of human actors of various races, ethnicities, and cultures. Actor Sonia Manzano joined the program in 1971 and would spend the next 44 years portraying the character Maria, utilizing her natural wit, strength of character, and attitude. Manzano would eventually become a permanent writer of the show.
Director Ernie Bustamante tells Sonia Manzano’s story with the absolutely wonderful documentary, Street Smart: Lessons from a TV Icon. The film screened at this year’s Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Both filmmaker Ernie Bustamante and subject Sonia Manzano attended the screening and participated in a Q&A session following it. The film gives its audience a comprehensive look at Manzano’s life and career so far, how her cultural background has influenced her work, and a glimpse of the work she has done post-Sesame Street.
I certainly had a personal interest in this film, as I grew up during the 1970s and 1980s, watching Sesame Street. So, I remember the Maria character very well, and quite fondly. Like most children watching the show, I believed that Manzano was Maria in real life. The documentary clearly shows that Sonia Manzano put much of her personality, heart, and soul into the character. Her work also reflects a passion for educating children and positively affecting their lives.
The film also serves as an inspiration to people of color, with Manzano as a symbol of cultural pride within the Nuyorican community. She is definitely a Latina icon, showing that strong Latina women who speak Spanish can be intelligent and make a positive difference in our world. It is a documentary I highly recommend for everyone, particularly if you grew up watching Manzano, and learning from her.