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diversions:
La Raza celebrates
through artwork
Alexandria Sullivan
On-line Forty-Niner
La Raza Student
Association celebrated the Latino culture with artistic expression
Thursday in the USU multipurpose room with "Arte Y Revolucion,"
which featured photographs and artwork collected by activist
Frances Camargo.
Camargo, an activist
during the Chicano Latino Movement in the ‘70s, displayed
her collection of posters and photographs. One poster read,
"It is better to die on my feet than to continue living
on my knees."
Camargo owned a
shop selling clothes in East Los Angeles. The shop was a safe
haven for activists and the Latino community to fight for
respect and education. Camargo would put up posters and artwork
made by rebels who were imprisoned for their beliefs. She
would make money for the activists and for herself.
"When you
believe in something there is no fear," Camargo said.
"The community was like a big family, so I was protected."
Police believed
Camargo was a communist and came into her store at least once
a week to tear down the posters made by local activists. She
kept the community aware of rallies and protests by posting
the announcements on the front of her store.
Education was the
main focus of Camargo's activism.
"The community
does not support the kids that go to college," Camargo
said. "We don't support our families and friends."
She wanted to bring education to the forefront of her community
back then and she still supports education today.
The event also
featured art, music and poetry performed or created by students
of CSULB.
Ceasar Torres,
senior illustration major, explained his portrait of a horse
painted a rainbow of colors.
"Every nationality
and culture has power," Torres said. "I wanted to
represent diversity."
The night continued
with a skit written by Luis Valdez entitled "The Militant."
The skit was performed by the Movimiento Estudiantil de Teatro
y Arte. This is a new organization for students interested
in the arts.
"Arte Y Revolucion,"
the expression of a generation, was the theme of the night
that made up part of a whole week of activities immersing
Cal State Long Beach in Latino culture
"We use this
week to celebrate a lot of things about our culture,"
said Valdovinos, senior sociology major and chairman of the
committee for the night. "I want them to sincerely reflect
on the issues and problems in our society."
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