Diaz-Brady, Isabel

My name is Isabel Diaz-Brady. I am an undergraduate student majoring in World Arts and Cultures and minoring in Italian Language Studies. I am a fourth year senior in hopes of graduating soon. 

My interest in this class stems from a couple different directions. First of all, I am Mexican-American and Chicanismo seems relevant to my experience having a dual identity which is in itself singular. Second, I grew up being involved in arts. My father is a Mexican artist and my mother worked amongst artists to create an arts based school that would be accepted in a low income community. I grew up with the belief that art transcends boundaries, whether it were tangible boundaries like the United States-Mexico border, social hierarchical boundaries,  cultural boundaries, or even boundaries pertaining to the wealth of classes. So, I think this course will come to show how Chicano artists were able to over come certain struggles through the medium of art. 

In regards to the Virgen de Guadalupe, I grew up with an image of her mainly as the mother of Jesus and not really focused on her miracles. Honestly, the only time I really thought about the Virgen de Guadalupe's miracles was in relation to this fictional show called "La Rosa de Guadalupe" which is still airing today. In my family Jesus was always more emphasized. Nativity scenes are always extravagant in my family home, but my grandmother always leaves baby Jesus out all year. If he ever is misplaced, she tends to stop what she's doing and spend her time looking for him to put him back on his little alter which tends to transform during major holidays such as Christmas and Dia de  los muertos.