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
ReplyDeleteAfter looking at all of my classmates' work, I am extremely impressed and shocked at how beautiful the ofrendas came out! What especially stood out to me was how the ofrendas were able to include personal pictures of loved ones that have passed away from members of each group, and also honor what the Pandemic has taken from us. That aspect went beautifully with the event's theme of "Live! Mask up! Stand up, and speak up!". When COVID hit, and as we have learned in class, not only are Latinos are on the frontlines of battling this virus as nurses and other healthcare workers, but Latinos are being disproportionately affected. More BIPOC are dying of COVID than any other group in the U.S, and these Ofrendas recognize that. It wouldn't have made sense to make an Ofrenda with the theme of the event if it didn't recognize the damage quarantine had on employment, the economy, and Latino families all over the country.