Jaelin O'Halloran
GWSS 241
30 May 2020
The Womxn Who Rock’s 10th Anniversary was a two-hour virtual gathering in which guests and hosts reflected on the communal, on-line altar and honored resilience practices of people and groups from the past who help us to envision and create a more free and just future. This celebration featured an introduction from the hosts, a blessing, musical and dancing breaks, a panel of ofrenda creators, the ofrenda altar reveal and question and answer sessions. This gathering seemed timely considering what is happening in our country right now. As we viewed various altars and offerings that honor those who have come before us, it was impossible not to reflect on the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others who we have lost to police violence against people of color. My favorite part of this gathering was the session led by Ofelia and Rosanna who showed us various altars that they have created while explaining how these altars were made. It was amazing to listen to the ways in which they created these altars. Ofelia and Rosanna conducted a lot of research in order to create these altars and then used various materials to construct them. Their arrangements feature vibrant colors, flowers, symbols and more. These altars are clearly a labor of love. Ofelia and Rosanna talked about altars as a bridge that connects the living to the dead. Ofelia said something about the altars that I thought was a perfect way to describe their work; “the intention and essence of these altars is to remember and to connect.”
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