Ofrendas For the Future Reflection

This event was incredibly beautiful and empowering. I loved hearing and learning from activists who practice remembrance. Though I had never thought about it until taking this course, remembrance really can be radical. Too frequently minority groups’ contributions and lives are erased from history. Ofrendas and altars are a beautiful to way to honor those who have come before us and educate those who will come after. It was empowering and healing to see so many women of color in that space, sharing their own cultural practices and experiences. I was inspired by the speakers and the beautiful ways in which they remember their loved ones as well as those who they have never met before through art, speech, and dance. Something Ofelia Esparza mentioned that I thought was very important is that we remember those who have passed for the life they lived, rather than making it about how they died. This is especially important for people whose death was accompanied by trauma. Yes we must fight for justice and our communities, but we also must honor the life of our loved one rather than allowing the narrative to be solely that of the oppressor or individual who caused their death. I am inspired to find a way of incorporating some of these ideas into my own life. I come from cultures that tend to practice mourning rather than the celebration of life which doesn’t really work for me. I think it’s important to recognize and celebrate the life of a loved one that has passed while also mourning the loss of that life. Overall, the Ofrendas For the Future event was beautiful and very interesting.