Yolanda artwork W3

Free Los Siete 1969 

In this figure, Free Los Siete 1969, created by Yolanda Lopez, she goes on to talk about the political and racial discrimination of seven Latino youth people. This poster was one piece of artwork I wanted to include in my paper but just did not fit in my research question. Although going back to the artwork, it was the subtle detail and the play on words that was ultimately compelling. Lopez created this image to defend those Latinos accused of killing a police officer. This was one of her first stances to call out the social injustice in America. During this time when reform and civil rights movements were occurring, this poster was perfect in bringing awareness to the issue. The work of Free Los Siete 1969 ultimately pioneered political activism from the Chicana artists. 

In her image, there is one young Latino boy who does not have his glaring face impaired by the prison bars representing their struggle of the Chicanx community among the political spectrum, yet standing in unison. Thereafter, the play of words in regards to the Pledge of Allegiance is really what took their political stance and lash back to the United States. Disregarding the words “And to the republic for which it stands” represents the brokenness and division America. Similarly, the absence of the words “With liberty and justice for all” stands to edify the social injustice and discrimination across different ethnic or social backgrounds. This poster serves to display the inadequacy of liberty or freedom in America, to defy the common grounds of what the United States claims to present. This image overall was touching to see how artists could use their ability to take a political stance and bring awareness to issues conveying this through their artwork.