Yolanda M. Lopez

In my opinion, the piece Things I Never Told My Son about Being a Mexican is one that incorporates everything about Lopez as an artist. It especially stood out to me after hearing and reading the story about her son picking up on racial stereotypes without her knowledge. It was particularly sad to realize that despite our best efforts at shielding our children, society still plays a major part at shaping their view of themselves and others.

Lopez's early life was a big impact on how she would perceive art. The book goes into detail about her mother and grandmother showing her how to make due with what they had in order to get by. Lopez approached art in the same way. While immersed in her Mexicana culture, she did not have a connection with it the way others in her family did. Despite this, she sought that connection and attempt at understanding in her art. Through political movements, she found herself a part of the Chicano movement and others like the Black Panther Party. It wasn't until later in her life when she started to focus on feminism. Her new role as a mother also shaped the way she approached art later in life, and I think that's very evident with this work. It serves to combine everything about Lopez's past and present.