I chose this image from Graciela Iturbide. As Crisitan mentioned, it is ironic that these woman chose this mural to be the backdrop of their photo meanwhile they had no idea who the men on the mural were. However, what really resonated with me was the mentality that these women had. I imagined that this mural must have had a lot significance to the community when it was first painted because it has three very important socialist and revolutionary leaders, but the community has grown from that moment. These young women continue to feel the significance of the mural but the people in the mural are not important to them. It reminded me of my own community and my internal struggle with my education. Although I am fascinated by what I learn in school, I recognize that most of what I am learning is insignificant in my own community. For example, neoliberalism is a theory that basically states the new political philosophy of modern society. It is fascinating to find discrepancies in marketing schemes using neoliberalism. However when I finally drive back to my home in Northeast Los Angeles I ask myself "how is this going to improve my community? do these concepts truly matter when looking at the bigger picture?" And most of the time I know that what I'm learning in my classes does not have any importance in my community.
I did my presentation on Graciela, the women shown in the image above actually didn't know who the men were. They thought they were mariachis. But I agree with what you're saying and it's a point I made. I don't think it matters to them who they are because it's irrelevant in their own lives at that moment. Sure it's important to learn history and understand it but Emilio Zapata wasn't contributing to White Fence in 1980. I think them standing in front of these legends in a separate fashion stating their own agency is important to their own community and history. I'm glad you too enjoyed her work.
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