Week 8 Presentation: Liliana Navarro

                Liliana Navarro’s work caught my attention because of how modern the style looked to me. I also loved the empowerment of Chicanas and browns skin. It was intriguing to look at all the details included in her work that connect to indigenous roots or the Mexican culture. For me, the pride in brown skin is important because society is constantly telling brown girls, or other darker skinned girls that they are not beautiful. Media is always showing lighter skinned girls. Even Spanish magazines will show Latinas that are lighter skin. I have a niece named Yliana, who only 6, with the most beautiful brown skin. We call her little beautiful little brown baby. I constantly remind her how lucky she is to be brown, so she never thinks otherwise.

                 The image presented in class, “Brown Warrior,” hit home with me for that reason. The painting was just so dope to me when I first seen it. The contrasting bright pink on her brown skin was something really attention grabbing. The inclusion of the indigenous war paint and feathers made the message even more powerful. It connects the brown woman of today back to her indigenous roots and shows her strength. The work makes a statement to tell the world “I am a brown Chicana and I am strong.” Especially with the inclusion of the Chicano Power pin on her top with the balled fist. The simplicity of the image though also makes it powerful. It is a self portrait that says so much more than, “this is me.” It shows who she is and her pride in that, which I really love.