I really enjoyed everyone’s presentations! Being exposed to that variety of art, all rooted in Latinidad, was very powerful and beautiful. Although I enjoyed all of the amazing presenters and their respective artist’s, I was particularly drawn by Armando’s presentation of Brenda Barrios. I felt a greater connection with the artist due to a specific piece -- the “Vaccines for the Community” mural in San Bernardino. I am from San Bernardino County myself and I think the piece Barrios produced is beautiful and necessary in the community. Much of the San Bernardino population is BIPOC. This population is unfortunately, more vulnerable to the issues of COVID-19, both medically and in the social systems it impacts. Furthermore, given the systematic failures of the healthcare system and society at large, BIPOC communities have justified reason for their heightened mistrust of medicine. By presenting this message through an artistically driven and accessible framework, I think Barrios helps to shift the narrative of vaccines from one rooted in hesitancy to one built on community. Within my own family, many of whom are located in San Bernardino, they did not trust the vaccine until they saw other members of the family/community doing it and promoting it. For people to be able to see themselves and their neighbors in a public art space and notice the welcoming environment Barrios creates, is extremely important to the understanding of the vaccine. Outside of this piece specifically, I love how her pieces center around her community and give a larger voice and platform for her people.
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