Jazmin Higuera Banos (Flash Presentation Folklorico Baile)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fjKzZEKtvNhx3KMwNa4rYT4b0rkMYzWtKNaDNZ4GYhw/edit

Lindsay Vallejo Flash Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1emgg2AVNUjS0qN_PzzKJi4EqssIfardvZIZFLGm28fk/edit?usp=sharing

Alicia Armendariz - Flash Presentation Liliana Alvarado Garcia

 

Melody Reeder's Flash Presentation: For Selena

 

Daniela Altamirano Crosby's Flash Presentation

 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pkCp1gAOSdl1t8TpBvbcPd5uIL4v56DFUgNFuT6LrE0/edit?usp=sharing

Ofrenda Review

A continuous message throughout El Centro De La Raza's production was "LIVE! MASK UP! STAND UP AND SPEAK UP!” I appreciated that they did not try to hide the reality of where we are, or pretend like this is any other year. This celebration is different that any one in the past, and ignoring the place that we as a country and as a world are in would not have done justice to the moment. There were encouragements to vote in both Spanish and English, as well as resources for questions and information on voting. I found this aspect of "Stand up and speak up!" to be especially prominent. We know the Latino vote is key, and mobilizing this group of voters can and in fact has changed the election. The organizing that took place in Arizona, some of which looks like what El Centro did, had real change and impact to empower people to use their voice. As Hilda said in the beginning of the celebration, we must speak up and vote for those who no longer have a voice. Personally, when I voted for the first time I felt the same sense of duty to the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost their lives from the pandemic, but also for the many people who cannot vote due to death, criminal record, citizenship, etc. I also felt a sense of responsibility for my family to use my voice. So many of those feelings were because of our readings, assignments, and our offends that brought this moment and what it means to the forefront.

Ofrenda Review

Francisca Garcia gave a nice explanation of the elements of an ofrenda while showcasing one herself. The one behind her had a very nice color scheme: showcasing large sunflowers, candles, what seems like orange and pink play flowers, papel picado with more flower patterns, and finally a chair to her left. 

She first mentions how the word ofrenda translates into ‘welcome,’ which refers to our (people who are alive) responsibility to welcome the dead as if they are home, whether or not they are related to us. She says the three levels of most every ofrenda (like the one behind her) are a representation of the stages before life & birth, life here, and death. She also mentions that ofrendas can range in size: from small and able to fit on a table, to much much bigger. 

After, Francisca discusses the key items that make an ofrenda, while showing examples on hers. Water is necessary, a bit of salt as a metaphor for life’s flavor, photographs of the loved ones, flowers (such as, but not limited to cempasuchil), foods, bebidas, candles to light the way, calaveras as a metaphor for the sweetness of life, and finally, some of the person’s favorite items. 

Francisca points out that the chair is not only a favorite item, but an item of remembrance for Roberto Maestas, one of the founders of El Centro. For her, it is used as a remembrance and way for his spirit to know he is always welcome to visit since that is where he lived his life.