Matriarca

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“La reducción de espacios para las tradiciones de mujeres y niños Indígenas y sus descendientes mestizos que han levantado esta tierra, así como nuestros ancestros también lo han hecho por milenios atreves de todo el continente americano, es una profanación.

Sacar a la gente Indígena de sus hogares, y sus negocios y sustentos, es sacar a la tierra de sus raíces. Reducirlos a objetos es inhumano e irrespetuoso a la vida misma. ‘Que no se olviden: Esta tierra pertenece a la tribu Tongva.

Cada figura en este mural está basada en una personal real que vive en los pueblos y las reservaciones a lo largo de Los Angeles, Sonsonate, El Salvador, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Oaxaca, Mexico, y más.

Es por ellos que estamos aquí.”

Declaración en Comunidad,

Interpretación por Samanta Helou-Hernandez.

J.T.

Matriarch at Super Pan Bakery on Virgil Avenue

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The reduction of space for the traditions of indigenous women and children–and those of their descendants–whose footsteps have grazed and raised land here for generations, as our ancestors have done across the American continent for millennia, is a desecration.

To push them away from their home(s), and their businesses and livelihoods, is to push the land itself from its roots. To reduce them into objects is less than human; it is to reduce life itself. ‘Don’t forget: These are Tongva lands.’

Each figure in this mural is based on a real person, present and living among pueblos and reservations throughout Los Angeles, California, Sonsonate, El Salvador, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Oaxaca, Mexico, and more.

It is because of them that we’re here.

J.T.

The Summer is Ours Los Angeles

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JMBTMS_March082019_1
Less than a week since my return, and once again I’m in the midst of more devising for the vecindad. I took a few days off to center myself back into L.A., but now I can see my focus sharpening like when the aperture of my DSLR is locking into the focus.

It’s a buoyant return to my movement, except that now I’m equipped with an even greater understanding of the self behind the motions. Like my movement through the microbuses of San Salvador, I’ve now seen just how adaptable I am to forces greater than my own. And like my journeying through the jungles of Peten in Guatemala, I’ve also seen just how far into the wilderness I’m willing to go.

Of course, there is only more from there. On the steep and winding roads through the Northern Sierra of Oaxaca, I saw just how much more terrain I can withstand. And as I learned when I rode the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, and then once again in the opposite direction to find Hiroshima, I also know that I’m not afraid to try and try again until I find just where I need to be.

Once again I need to be in Los Angeles. There are milestones in The City that can only be reached if we keep our eyes on the prize, and well, I’m right there, not going anywhere until I can take home the gold. So, what do you say, L.A? Are we ready to make this Summer something fierce?

J.T.

Ahora Mas Cuentos Los Angeles

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On the way,

Today I have the privilege of getting back to The Plus Me Project for a visit to another L.A. school. There should be somewhere between 100 – 120 students that I’ll get to speak with at Alliance Neuwirth Academy this afternoon, and it will be my first time ‘back in action’ since my spectacular time abroad.

I will share pictures with the students from the trip, as well as a few insights on just what it means for me to travel to these other pueblos from which so many of our people hail, which I’m confident will make our time together all the more worthwhile.

From there, we’ve got much more work left to do. It is summertime in Los Angeles, and as educators all throughout The City know well, the summer can be a most critical point of the year for young people everywhere; school is out, mamá y papá ‘tan trabajando, and at that point: What exactly is there to do? Where do we go? And with who? Is it safe?

There is a world to build for L.A.’s youth to make these questions less difficult for them, but as with all worlds, we need time. Today is a matter of taking advantage then, of what little time we’ve been afforded. Indeed it always is, but a healthy reminder never hurts. In fact, I think it’s been quite helpful already.

Let’s get it done Los Angeles,

J.T.