Category Archives: Uncategorized

Group 1 Part C: After Dia de Los Muertos

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Ashley Cook
Mourning from a Distance Group 1 Ofrenda
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
El Centro de la Raza, Centilia Cultural Center, Seattle, WA, USA
11/05/2022
Daniela Garcia
Francisca Garcia Ofrenda 
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
El Centro de la Raza, Centilia Cultural Center, Seattle, WA, USA
11/05/2022
Francisca Garcia Ofrenda

Our group selected these two photos because we felt they best represented the healing nature of the ofrenda practice and experience of Dia de los Muertos. The first photo from our own group 1 ofrenda  titled “Mourning from a Distance” highlights a dedication to a brother that was lost during COVID-19 and never properly mourned in person due to restrictions at the time. The second photo features culture bearer Francisca Garcia as she is lovingly remembered by her family and community.

Category: Ceremonial/Healing

Since these photos visualize the healing process, we chose them to represent the category of ceremonial/healing from the four categories we’ve learned about from Amalia Mesa-Bain’s work. The process of creating an ofrenda and remembering a loved one through objects from their life is a healing practice through remembrance. 

Interview

Ashley Cook
Felicia
Dia de los Muertos celebration
El Centro de la Raza, Seattle, WA, USA
11/5/22

Group 2 Part C: After Dia de Los Muertos

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Blog post 1: Dia de los Muertos event at El Centro de La Raza

It was obvious that convivencia was present at El Centro De La Raza for the Dia de los Muertos event. The environment created by every individual at the event was welcoming, warm, uplifting, and full of culture. Upon my arrival to El Centro on 11/5 I heard Cumbia music playing and children playing in a nearby playground. As I continued to walk, I noticed many puestos of vendors selling equites, pan de muerto, warm drinks and much more. There was also puestos selling jewelry and traditional clothing. As I made my way through, the announcer announced the next dancers who were going to preform, although I didn’t stay to watch by the reaction of the audience it was clear the dancers were blowing everyone’s mind with their dancing skills. I didn’t expect to see so many people at the event, from girls and women dressed in traditional dresses with their faces painted with skull candy designs—to multi-generational families, children and young adults. 

Blog Post 2: Dia de los Muertos event at El Centro de L Raza

The Ofrendas that were created for this significant celebration were aesthetic in their own element. I noticed how every Ofrenda was colorful, warm and had adequate details that were very captivating to the eye. No matter how big or small they were, they all had unique details. As I made my way around through every Ofrenda. I was able to see how each Ofrenda had its own theme—whether it was honoring the Black Lives Matter movement, Jewish women, honoring loved ones, and those who’ve passed due to covid-19. Each ofrenda had a theme that represented stories within. It was rather inspiring and educational to understand why individuals celebrate and/or participate in the Dia de los Muertos event. The event brings so much of the community together, by uplifting spirits and celebrating death—turning the western idea of death around. Dia de los Muertos brings us closer to our culture and those loved ones who’ve passed. It’s a beautiful celebration of death. 

Group 3’s Part C: After the Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium

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By: Angela, Maya, Jade, Stephanie

Categories:Making Scenes
We chose to categorize this as making scenes, since it’s something that has a cultural significance, and portrays a scene with the activists’ names written.		Categories:Chicanxfuturism
We chose to categorize this as Chicanxfuturism because of its accessibility. As someone who wasn’t able to attend the event in person, the online accessibility allowed me to still be a part of the event. This directly represents the future we want to move towards, one that includes all.  		Categories:Building Communities
We chose to categorize this photo as Bulding Communities since Maylei Blackwell talked a lot about communities of Indigenous women meeting together for their rights.
Reasoning: We chose to include our altar because of its symbolism and theme. We chose to represent the fight to bring people out of social death. A fight that will require many different people to accomplish. Throughout the event this was symbolized through the small yet meaningful actions of sharing materials to build our altars and amplify different groups ideas/themes. This photo represents how meaningful a collaborative framework can be, even in the smallest gestures. 

Photographer Name: Jade RahmanSubject Name: My group’s Ofrenda and it’s connection to the one beside itEvent Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 2:30 PMFile Name: 1653428474.145541
Reasoning: We chose to include this screenshot of a zoom screen from Caye Cayera’s panel because it shows how the symposium was held both in-person and virtually. This is significant as it is something that made it that visitors who couldn’t travel to still get to be a part of the panel, and for guests for who it may not work with their schedule to attend, have the option to join through zoom. We think it shows ingenuity and connectedness as a community. 
Photographer name: Stephanie IspasSubject Name: Caye CayeraEvent Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 3:50 PMFile Name: IMG_1481
Reasoning: We chose to include this picture of Maylei Blackwell since her speech on indigenous women and their resilience and Abya Yala explained the importance of this event and of community and working together. As we learned throughout class, we all have a social responsibility to pay it forward to indigenous communities and their land we stand on. This is the first step in realizing that responsibility, by first listening and then acting with intent to help indigenous communities.  
Photographer Name: Jade RahmanSubject Name: Maylei BlackwellEvent Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 2:30 PMFile Name: 1653428883.713917
Categories: Plurifeminisms
We chose to categorize this photo as Plurifeminisms since Michelle Habell-Pallan hosted this symposium on plurifeminism, and because she is the professor of a class that focuses on it. 		Categories:Convivencia
We chose to categorize this photo as Convivencia. Convivencia means connecting with others as a community, and this photo shows just that, with the different panelists gathered together.  		Categories:Chicanxfuturism
We chose to categorize this photo as Chicanxfuturism. This is since it shows an example of how artists who use music like hip hop or others, and social media platforms like videosharing websites, encompass Chicanxfuturism through their work and the messages in their work.
Reasoning: We chose this photo because it shows our professor Michelle Habell-Pallan who made this event possible. She organized, educated, and MC’d the entirety of the event. She made space for us as students to learn and implement action regarding Black, Chicanx, queer, and feminist movements and strides. By allowing us to create altars that stood behind the speakers the audience left empowered and community oriented. Photographer Name: Jade RahmanSubject Name: Dr. Michelle Habell-PallenEvent Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 2:20 PMFile Name: 1653429071.2409658Reasoning: We chose this photo because it shows the panelists that joined the symposium through Zoom, Caye Cayera, Betty Ruth Lozano Lerma, and Iris Crystal. This is important because with the zoom option, they could all join this panel virtually. Also, since they spoke in Spanish, there was a simultaneous interpretation option where a translator spoke in English. This is important since it allowed for these important messages and thoughts to be understood by more people with the option to get it translated to a different language. 
Photographer Name: Stephanie IspasSubject Name: Caye Cayera, Betty Ruth Lozano Lerma, Iris Crystal  Event Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 4:03 PMFile Name: IMG_1486		Reasoning: We chose this because of her connection to using art and hiphop to create community connectedness and resistance against oppression. She spoke to the fact that community involvement and activism doesn’t have a prerequisite of graduating college or getting any “formal” education, it’s a matter of willingness to learn from communities around you and then choosing to stand up for the needs of those communities. These were key concepts we touched on throughout class, activism and community involvement doesn’t have to look one singular way it can encompass passionate speakers, singers, or writers. In fact, those different forms of involvement are what make the movement stronger.  Photographer Name: Jade RahmanSubject Name: Gabriela CanoEvent Name: Womxn Who RockLocation: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, AmericaTime: 2:40 PMFile Name: 1653428960.041778

Interview #1

Group number and names: Group 3: Angela Gomez, Stephanie Ispas, Jade Rahman, Maya Matta

Interview title: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium Interview 

Interviewee name: Black Mama

Interview date: May 24, 2022

Interviewer name: Angela Gomez

Question: What does plurifeminism across Abya Yala mean to you?

Answer: “Plurifeminism means a story that was previously there. It means coming back to the knowledge that all the elders have, and to be able to combine it with current social struggles. What we are doing now is what women have been doing throughout history. Specifically, talking about communities has been happening since the beginning of time. Acknowledging, as feminists, that this has been happening for a long time is important. White women were able to vote here, and if Black men can vote, why can’t we? We have to go back together to release these ideas in a neutral environment without overpowering each other. I am not looking for power and instead I am looking for equality. Because of this, the word “empowering” can be poisonous, and the word “strengthening” can be a better substitute.”

Interview #2

Group number and names: Group 3: Angela Gomez, Stephanie Ispas, Jade Rahman, Maya Matta

Interview title: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium Interview 

Interviewee name: Case – Sound Technician

Interview date: May 24, 2022

Interviewer name: Stephanie Ispas

Question: What does plurifeminisms across Abya Yala mean to you?

Answer: “ I haven’t heard of plurifeminisms or Abya Yala before. When I heard the title, I tried to conceptualize what it means. I gained an understanding that it’s a connection of feminisms and indigenous ideologies. To me it means, a combination of fighting back and of healing, and I learned a lot from all of the panelists. Something that stood out was the conversation about indigenous abortions, and important thing that was said is that indigenouss women shouldn’t be criminalized for the treatment of their bodies, under laws that are colonial and not created by indigenous people.”

#Plurifeminism #Womenwhorock

Group 4’s Part C: After the Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium

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Our Learning Experiences from the Encuentro and Working as a Group

  • Shannon Hong: The encuentro and our group collective altar/ofrenda helped me learn how valuable collaborative thinking is. Although our group never got to work together in person, we found creative ideas to share our ideas virtually, whether that be through Zoom, Google Docs, or our group chat. This allowed us to come up with a unique theme for our altar/ofrenda, which celebrated working mothers. Such collaborative thinking was also emphasized in the encuentro, where people of all backgrounds came together to talk about plurifeminism in the same space and were willing to answer any questions my peers and I had. It was an honor to be a part of this event and I hope to apply what I learned in my future community-based work.
  • Sadie Armstrong: From working as a group in preparation for the encuentro and from the encuentro itself, I was able to learn about the importance of communication. In the context of our group project, communication was imperative for the successful creation of our ofrenda and completion of miscellaneous assignments, especially due to the format of our class we were never able to collaborate in person. The encuentro showed me the value of good communication on a larger scale, as respectful communication both between panelists and between the panelists and the audience was crucial for the success of the event. While I have always valued effective communication in work such as this, working as a group and the encuentro provided great opportunities for me to strengthen this skill.
  • Norma Gaspar: This group and the encuentro has helped me understand more about the ofrenda, plurifeminism, and the importance of convivencia. While we had some difficulties communicating online and where unable to work together or see each other in person, we somehow managed to get through it. Moreover, the conference itself was different that what I expected. At first, I didn’t know how to act considering it was the first time I ever participated in an event like this. However, everyone participating made it seem relaxing and the panelists where very approachable, made it easier for me to ask them questions and didn’t feel as nervous. I am glad I was able to form part of the event and group and I hope later on I can continue in convivencia with others!
  • Amr Mansour: After working as a group, I was able to feel the importance of unity and how things can be accomplished in a smoother and quicker way when working with a group of people, especially with good communication. This group had really good communication and we were able to finish things in a timely manner. I will definitely continue to apply the skills from the encunetro to future jobs and projects.
  • Ethan Lee: Throughout my time working in this group, I have gotten an understanding of how to unite and work as a team, with topics that we all were relatively not familiar with. However, through working together and collaborating with my group members I have learned so much, and also were able to come together and represent an issue regarding Chicana Feminism that our entire group was passionate about through our ofrenda. This process of working on this ofrenda has allowed me to learn more than I ever could have imagined, and has made me more comfortable and confident in my ability to extend my knowledge to diverse communities and also to express myself in my own diverse way.

Photos

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6

Photo Selection, Metadata, Categorization

The photos above were selected to identify some of the important moments from the Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala Symposium. Most of the photos selected show some sort of connection. Some of the pictures show Michelle Habell-Pallan, Maylei Blackwell, Black Mama, and Cristina Burneo are all individuals with unique identities and experiences, but through their shared connection to the goals of plurifeminism these people were drawn together and were able to form a community. We saw how the ofrendas in the background may look different but all are serving the same purpose. Towards the end of the event, we saw how the powerful lyrics of Black Mama brought individuals of all different backgrounds together in a celebration of culture and each other.

Photo 1

  • Photo taken by Shannon Hong at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Caption: Michelle Habell-Pallan leads the first panel of the event with Maylei Blackwell, Black Mama, and Cristina Burneo answering her questions.
  • Category:  Building Communities- Michelle Habell-Pallen, Maylei Blackwell, Black Mama, and Cristina Burneo are all individuals with unique identities and experiences, but through their shared connection to the goals of plurifeminism these people were drawn together and were able to form  a community. This formation of community was able to occur for the same reason between the panelists and the audience.

Photo 2

  • Photo taken by Shannon Hong at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Caption: The group ofrendas are displayed with the event information shown on the screen. This represents the culmination of our work this quarter, as we were able to work in a team and collaborate on an ofrenda that represents what we learned from this course.
  • Category: Making Scenes – This image represents Making Scenes because the ofrendas made by the different groups each serve as tribute to the groups and experiences we have discussed throughout the quarter. Each ofrenda is an individual scene, and together they highlight the important aspects of our class.

Photo 3

  • Photo taken by Sadie Armstrong at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Caption: At the end of Black Mama’s concert, many of the audience members stood up to dance together and celebrate the power of the music. The dancing can be seen as a symbol of unity.
  • Category: Convivencia – Convivencia, or the deliberate act of being with each other as a community, is illustrated in the image above. Connected by the powerful lyrics of Black Mama, individuals of all different backgrounds are able to come together in a celebration of culture and each other.

Photo 4

  • Photo taken by Amr Mansour at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Caption: In this picture we see Michelle Habell-Pallan conducting the early stages of the panel portion of the event. The ofrendas in the background may look different but are serving the same purpose.
  • Category: Buen Vivir- Buen Vivir is a newly defined way of living that is central to the experience of the peoples of Abya Yala. The ever-changing concept involves practicing sensitivity towards a person’s culture, the environment, and most importantly one another. This image represents Buen Vivir as it illustrates both the dynamic atmosphere of the symposium and shows support and connection between those running the event.

Photo 5

  • Photo taken by Norma Gaspar at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Caption: Zoom Panelists, Cayetana Saloa, Cristina Burneo Salazar, Betty Ruth, and Lozano Lerma, have a discussion at the conference.
  • Category: Chicanxfuturism – This image perfectly illustrates the meaning of Chicanxfuturism, which describes the role of technology in the preservation of traditional Chicanx cultural practices and connections. The panelists were able to discuss topics of cultural importance and strengthen their relationships across physical distances with the help of the modern technology of Zoom.

Photo 6

  • Photo taken by Ethan Lee at the Feminisms Across the Abya Yala Symposium
  • UW Intellectual House Seattle, WA – USA
  • May 24, 2022
  • Description: Michelle Habell-Pallan is pictured preparing to begin the conference, as the ofrendas are finished.
  • Category: Plurifeminisms – Plurifeminism involves numerous mediums and identities adopted in collaboration with the common purposes of female empowerment and activism. The symposium utilized mediums including virtual meetings, ofrendas, and musical performances to share the importance of plurifeminisms across Abya Yala.

Interviews

Interview #1: Interview with Black Mama

  • Quote: “[Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala] means coming back to the knowledge that all the elders had and to be able to combine it with a current social struggle. What we are doing now are what women have been doing through history… We got to go back together and release those ideas on a neutral environment without having to empower over the other one. I don’t like to use the word empowering because I don’t feel like I need power, I don’t need to put my power over anyone. I’m not looking for power, I’m looking for something equal.”
  • Group Number and names: Shannon Hong, Sadie Armstrong, Norma Gaspar, Amr Mansour, & Ethan Lee (Group 4)
  • Interviewee name: Ana Gabriela Cano (Black Mama)
  • Interview date: May 24, 2022
  • Interviewer name: Shannon Hong
  • Format: Word Doc
  • Length of interview: 3 min
  • Image and print file name: N/A

Interview #2: Interview with Cristina Curuci

  • Quote: “Creo y estoy convencida que en este universo hay muchos universos dentro y que tambien no hay un solo feminismo si no, hay plurifeminismos o los feminismos, que se pueden llamar asi, o las mujeres no se pueden denominar feministas, pero hacen sus acciones, sus practicas desde sus sentires y pensares, para el cuidado de la vida, para el cuidado de la vida de las mujeres. Creo que este es un espacio muy importante para hablar de diferentes acciones, sentimientos, pensamientos desde el arte, la musica, de reflecciones, discusiones, desde sus territorios. Con eso me hace demostrar que no hay solo uno si no multiples feminismos, y este feminismo hegemonico nos a querido opacar al igual que muchas teorias del eurocentrismo y no se relaciona con las practicas y la evidencia y los conocimientos de abajo. Y para las mujeres indigenas, no creo que sea del feminismo que viene de Europa…si no desde hace muchos años atras.”
  • Group Number and names: Shannon Hong, Sadie Armstrong, Norma Gaspar, Amr Mansour, & Ethan Lee (Group 4)
  • Interviewee name (person interviewed):
  • Interview date: May 24, 2022
  • Interviewer name: Norma Gaspar
  • Format: Word Doc
  • Length of interview: 3.25
  • Image and print file name: N/A

Making Scenes, Building Communities, Plurifeminisms, Chicanxfuturism, Convivencia, or Buen Vivir

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Why did we choose these images?

We chose the first photo as a way to set the scene of the event and to capture the Ofrendas that our entire class contributed to the event. We believed that it showed an important connection of the classroom to real discussions. Our next three photos show the actual conversation flowing between speaker and presenters. We chose these photos because there was such a variety of conversations we created in this space. We had virtual and in person conversation, which allowed people from all locations to have a voice in the discussion. The discussions were also held in both English and Spanish, which made the conversation more inclusive. The fifth photo, which is a picture of Joselin by an information board, was chosen due to the intent to inform younger people about community history. Lastly, we included the photo of Black Mama’s preformance because in this course we have learned that activism does not just come

Interview 1:

 I interviewed Maylei Blackwell, who is a professor at UCLA for Chicano and Chicana and central American studies. When asked what Plurifeminisms across Abya Yala means to Professor Blackwell, she gave this great response! “I think it’s an important event to be in dialogue with Indigeous and Afro Descendent women across Abya Yala, across what we know as the Americas. I think that the rise of colonialism, and disease, and covid, and ecological destruction kinda shows us that the Western model, or colonial model is in crisis. And women are leading the way to rejuvenate their communities and heal the Earth, so for me this is part of that discussion,” (Maylei Blackwell).

Interview 2:

Cristina Burneo Salazar, an Ecuadorian scholar and women’s rights activist, commended the event for providing a designated physical space for these conversations to take place. With so many conversations isolated within academia or within social activist circles, she notes that this event “brings together processes” and pulls those conversations out of isolation. It also provides a space for women across different cultures to come together and “exchange their ways of knowledge” (Burneo Salazar). Overall, Plurifemnisms Across Abya Yala gives a physical reality to the solidarity present within this feminism. All women have a place to discuss all struggles through this event.

#Plurifeminisms #WomenWhoRock

Photographer: Theresa Miceli
People: Maylei Blackwell (left), Black Mama (middle), Cristina Burneo Salazar (right), Michelle Habell-Pallan (at the podium)
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Building Communities

In this photo, a community of activists, scholars, and artists is convened to discuss and explore topics and issues pertaining to a wider spectrum of people.

Photographer: Theresa Miceli
People: Cristina Burneo Salazar 
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Making Scenes

The ofrendas displayed are scenes that have been constructed to convey messages to the people who see it. These scenes then act as the backdrop for the community that forms around them.

Photographer: Theresa Miceli
People: Betty Ruth Lozano Lerma
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Chicanxfuturism
The proliferation of reliable video calling gives a platform to people all over the world who may have previously been unable to speak to audiences here. Our communities are no longer isolated by location.


Photographer: Theresa Miceli
People: Maylei Blackwell (left), Black Mama (middle), Cristina Burneo Salazar (right), Caye Cayejera (top left of zoom), Betty Ruth Lozano Lerma (bottom left of zoom)
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Chicanxfuturism
This photo shows a future in which people will be able to gather and build community from across the world, using new technologies like zoom.
Photographer: Ankita Kundu
People: Joselin
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Building Communities
A shared knowledge of important iconography and its history helps younger people understand the intent and context of the imagery and signs used within a community.
Photographer: Ankita Kundu
People: Black Mama
Event: Plurifeminisms Across Abya Yala
Location: wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House, Seattle, WA, United States
Date: May 24, 2022
Category: Making Scenes
Black Mama creates a platform through her singing through which she can speak out about prominent social issues. She creates a scene which allows her to control her narrative.

Group 5 Part C

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Meta data:

  1. Hope Flanigan
  2. Most of Group 5 in front of our completed altar: left to right, Claire Longcore, Hope Flanigan, Grace Romero, Vincent Wilson
  3. Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium
  4. UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA
  5. 5/24/2022

Categorization: Buen Vivir— this photo is indicative of Buen Vivir and Convivencia because it features our group members building community, having constructed an altar.

Meta data:

  1. Claire Longcore
  2. Top-down view of Group 5 altar
  3. Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium
  4. UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA
  5. 5/24/2022

Categorization: This image represents Plurifeminism because of its featuring of many diverse visual elements which all come together in a feminist art piece.

Meta data:

  1. Hope Flanigan
  2. Michelle Habell-Pallan, Cricket Keating, and Maylei Blackwell before the event
  3. Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium
  4. UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA
  5. 5/24/2022

Categorization: This image, featuring Michelle Habell-Pallan, Cricket Keating, and Maylei Blackwell, shows building communities, as this symposium wasn’t just about enjoying art, but being in relation with one another as in this picture.

Meta data:

  1. Claire Longcore
  2. Face-on view of Group 5 altar
  3. Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium
  4. UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA
  5. 5/24/2022

Categorization: This image is indicative of Making Scenes because of its featuring of current reproductive rights flyers. These demonstrate current and future organization and how praxis extends beyond the symposium space.

Meta data:

1.   Claire Longcore

2.   Black Mama soundchecking

3.   Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium

4.   UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA

5.   5/24/2022

Categorization: This image features Black Mama performing, and so represents Chicanxfuturism as she sings Afro and Indigenous inspired music, assisted by high musical technology to convey a message.

Meta data:

  1. Krista Cherry
  2. Hope Flanigan creating the Group 5 altar
  3. Plurifeminisms across Abiyala Symposium
  4. UW Intellectual House, Seattle, USA
  5. 5/24/2022

Categorization: This image shows making scenes because it shows the action of actually constructing an Ofrenda.

Explanation of why the photos were chosen:

We chose these six photos because we think they best represented the Convivencia conducted by the event. While building our ofrendas, we conversed and connected with other groups, sharing materials and feedback in construction and explaining the significance of our work. The aggregation of our hands, minds, and materials in both our ofrenda making and in the panelist presentations and performances tangibly solidified the social and experiential bonds formed in our collective efforts. In building and recognizing our power as a community, the visible distinctness of our individual efforts kept us conscious of the diversity among us, honoring our respective backgrounds and showing us the strength in finding affinity among difference. These photos very literally exemplify our course theme of making scenes, as they capture these significant moments of Convivencia and community building produced by this event.

Selected Interviews:

  1. Group 5: Grace Romero, Hope Flanigan, Krista Cherry, Claire Longcore, Vincent Wilson
  2. “Plurifeminisms Meaning”
  3. Wesley Carrasco
  4. 5/24/22
  5. Hope Flanigan
  6. Format: Word Doc
  7. Length of Interview: 1 min 33 secs

Hope’s Interview:

Wesley Carrasco – What does this Plurifeminisms across Abya Yala mean to you?

“I think for me it’s just trying to think about alternative futures that are encompassing of so many different and existing peoples that are striving towards the same thing. And so specifically in regards to feminism, it’s a collective understanding of how do we move away from patriarchy. How do we have a world that is encompassing of so many other worlds within it? Not just through the lens of the human perspective but also the worlds around us, the river, the land, the air, the fire.”

  1. Group 5: Grace Romero, Hope Flanigan, Krista Cherry, Claire Longcore, Vincent Wilson
  2. “Plurifeminisms Meaning #2”
  3. Eren Morales
  4. 5/24/22
  5. Vincent Wilson
  6. Format: Word Doc
  7. Length of Interview: 30 secs

Vincent’s Interview:

Eren Morales:

Q: What’s this event’s significance to you?

A: “Typically, growing up in a traditional Mexican household, feminism wasn’t really a topic of discussion, so really breaking down those borders and helping to open up this discussion and challenge traditional gender roles while also empowering women is so impactful.”

The Power in Culture and Art

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As we look at this picture it tells so many stories: the colors, background, and listed names and photos. This singular photo shows the power in telling stories through art and cultural traditions. Oftentimes, altars like this are dedicated to Dia De Los Muertos and to specific family members; however, in this class we extended that definition to amplify different groups ideas/themes related to  Black, Chicanx, queer, and feminist movements and strides. This marks a step using Chicanx futurism and chicana feminism framework, redefining to include more thoughts and more people. At this event we were able to showcase respect to not only those who have passed but also important messaging and activism/ideals. We see this come together beautifully and symbolically as something we need to do as a community, country, and world. 

Accessibility, Uncertainty but Community.

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Throughout this class we’ve been in a hybrid mode, fearing that entering a classroom might result in exposure to COVID-19. This collective experience allowed us to find unique solutions to access the community, one of which being Zoom. However, this creativity has brought a new wave of accessibility even as we begin to meet in person again. During the Plurifeminism Within and Across Abiayla: Art -Law Praxis Symposium, those that couldn’t attend in person were still able to access the rich information and knowledge. This directly relates to the Chicanx futurism ideals we studied throughout this course, and the ones that the Symposium highlighted. It’s about accessibility and moving towards ensuring our platforms look different to ensure they reach everyone in the community. As someone who wasn’t able to attend the event in person, the online accessibility allowed me to still be a part of the event. Chicanx futurism is all about creating new platforms as we move into the future, whether through music, speaking, or singing. This directly represents the future we want to move towards, one that includes all, even those that can’t be there in person!

Credits:

Event Name: Womxn Who Rock

Subject Name: Caye Cayera

Location: Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, America

Time: 3:50 PM

File Name: IMG_1481

Dancing Alongside Black Mama

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This image is from the end of Black Mama’s live performance. Here Professor Michelle Habell-Pallan and a guest who attended the symposium came up to start dancing along to Black Mama’s music. Once Prof MHP and the guest came up, it encouraged more guests to join them. Moments after this picture was taken, there were at least 15 people dancing! This image is impactful because it shows how just a small group of people can create a supportive and inclusive community to invite others to join in with them. What I saw here is reflected throughout Plurifeminisms, as its purpose is to integrate a diverse group of people to come together, ultimately making an inclusive space for all. It can start small, but grow into a huge community.

Creating the Ofrenda

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In this image, we can see Paloma (right), and Kelly (left), working together to put candles on the ofrenda. This was only one tiny part in the process of making our ofrenda, which was made in honor of Madre Tierra, Mother Earth. The candles represented fire, and we chose to put the pink colored candles in the front so they could match the pink flowers that were lying beside them. Setting up the ofrenda was an experience that allowed us to connect with one another. We have not spent lots of time together in person, as class has been online, but being able to come together to create an altar felt very rewarding. Our group was flexible, supportive, kind, and eager to have outside conversations with each other.