Vázquez Martínez, Christopher (Chris Vazquez)

Hi everyone!, 

    My name is Christopher Vázquez Martínez. Please call me Chris. My preferred pronouns are he, him, his. I am a PoliSci major with a concentration in American politics double majoring in Chicane Studies with a concentration in labor, law, and policy. My dad is from CDMX and my mom is from Monterrey. I was born in SoCal and am a first-generation American. I transferred to UCLA in 2018 from Mount San Antonio College. I will be the first of my family in the US to get a bachelor's degree. My hobby is to pick up new hobbies.

   My academic goal is to finish my BA this Spring, study for/kill the LSAT, and start law school in Fall of 2022. I absolutely love politics and law. Growing up, my tia always called me the family's "abogado" because I always liked to argue when I felt strongly about something. I decided to add Chicane studies (and this course by extension) to my program after taking a sociology class on immigration. My dad was deported when I was very young. My brother, my cousin, both brought to the US when they were children, were also deported. Digging into my dad's paperwork we found that the reason why he was deported and lost his residency is because his lawyer did not file a motion in time. He did not have the legal representation that he deserved.Realizing that my immigration story isn't so unique, I want help those that come after me. 

   The reading for this week focuses on the history of Chicane art, and art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I have little experience with Chicane art except for graffiti. From what I have learned at UCLA, Chicane art tends to be very political. I like that graffiti art tries to say to the establishment, “yeah, you control these streets, but my family and I are still here. We’re here to stay.” The reading reminded me of a mural outside of the Tijuana airport. It was a series of crosses placed to commemorate those that died trying to cross the border. I was a child at the time, but even now that the mural has disappeared, it’s message still sticks with me. While I’m not a huge fan of graphic art, preferring music, I see everyday the potential that it has to draft a cultural narrative. The reading has left me excited to discover more art.

Here’s a picture that looks nothing like me:

I look forward to getting to know you all this Winter quarter! Chris V.