Kingston, Rupa (Week 3)

 The Virgin of Guadalupe is not significant to me personally, and unfortunately, I do not know that much about this iconic symbol. However, I know that in Latinx and Catholic communities this is a very important figure, and very prominent as well. Living in Los Angeles, I have seen her picture on everything from walls, murals, candles, tattoos, and more, and this solidifies my belief in the figure’s importance to the Latinx and Catholic communities. After doing some more research, I discovered that the Virgin of Guadalupe is representative of femininity, motherhood, and even social justice. One article that I read even cited that the Virgin of Guadalupe is part of Mexican identity and faith, and this is cemented by The Basilica of Our Lady Guadalupe existing in Mexico City and being a major attraction for the residents and tourists. I was also really intrigued about the story behind the Virgin of Guadalupe, because initially I was confused if this was also the Virgin Mary or not. But after reading about how she was an apparition of the Virgin Mary that appeared to an Indigenous Mexican man named Juan Diego on December 12, 1531, I began to understand why this figure holds such reverence in the Latinx community. 

The Virgin of Guadalupe is a figure that symbolizes faith in the purest form, and also encourages to love those that are outcast by mainstream society. Additionally, the fact that she appeared to an Indigenous Mexican man is very important as to why this figure has become such an iconic symbol in the Latinx communities. In the 19th century, Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, successfully united people by
using her image for encouragement in the fight against Spain. This fact is also something I feel that contributed to her importance as well.

Overall, researching this was a very interesting endeavor, and I feel like I definitely learned a lot of valuable information from this activity. I wish that I had more personal ties to this figure so that I can share a more intimate perspective. But looking through the other blog posts, I know that I can always see other perspectives from my peers and educate myself through reading about their experiences.