Being able to watch the Ofrendas For the Future (un)conference
was an inspiring experience. I have not had a similar experience yet as a
student at the UW and I was surprised at how much support and inspiration I
found from the community that participated. The diverse group of individuals
that shared their wisdom, thoughts, movements and art left me reflecting on this
bright moment in a dark time for the United States. When I reflect on this
experience the first thing that comes to mind is Ofelia Esparza's discussion
of altar building. It struck me how she discussed altar building as not just a
form of honoring those that came before us, but also as a catalyst for healing
trauma and pain in communities. This was a unique perspective that I had not
explored before, and I was pleasantly surprised by her open and vulnerable
discussion about her and her daughter's experiences.
As a student that was educated through the public US
education curriculum, I feel that I have missed out on the opportunity to learn
about many cultures. This event gave me the opportunity to peer into another
culture and experience a new form of thought that Esparza has been practicing
since her youth. Seeing the way that their culture has crossed generations in
an attempt to heal inter-generational trauma was incredibly insightful and a
unique experience for me. This event has left me reflecting on the presence of
such a unique community that came together for this event. I hope that I have
the chance to learn more from this community in the future.
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