Ep 3. Plena Is Work, Plena Is Song
- June 25, 1991
POV season 4 episode 3, titled "Plena Is Work, Plena Is Song," explores the cultural and political significance of plena, a traditional Afro-Puerto Rican musical genre. The episode centers on the life and work of Tito Matos, a plena musician and community organizer from Santurce, Puerto Rico.
Through interviews with Matos and his fellow musicians, as well as footage of their performances, the documentary highlights the role that plena has played in Puerto Rican history and culture. It examines how the genre has been used to express resistance and solidarity, particularly in the face of colonialism and other forms of oppression.
In addition to exploring the cultural significance of plena, the episode also delves into its role as a form of work and labor. Matos, who runs a community cultural center that focuses on plena, discusses the challenges of sustaining this work and the ways in which it has been devalued and marginalized within Puerto Rican society.
Ultimately, "Plena Is Work, Plena Is Song" offers a nuanced and complex portrait of the power and resilience of Puerto Rican culture and the importance of recognizing the work and labor that goes into creating and preserving it.
