Perez, Armando "Graphic Revolution"

The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now, is a notable example of the determination of the Chicana/o movement and artists to adapt to change and seize the opportunity to embrace the future of technology. As we all have been learning repeatedly that the Mexican, Latinos, people of color, and the marginalized groups of society are poorly represented and often negatively characterized. Having the digital world to navigate and make connections allows them to take back their identity and empowers them to share their stories and reveal the inequities and injustices while building an online presence and solidarity with their community.

The issue of time is always a sensitive topic when valuable information helps inform and motivate change that can disrupt the outdated and rejected colonial views of the past. Through different digital and technical advances Chicana/o artists have learned to digitalize their work and continue keeping the Chicana/o movement alive to further the fight towards the injustice that has impacted and continues to impact their lives. This digital graphic world has allowed artists and activist to reach larger audience here in the United States and internationally, that has mobilized thousands to join the efforts in movements like the Chicano movement and others like Black Lives Matter alive and their communities educated on the struggles they face. There is power through images and all forms of art that can communicate and drive positive change.

The use of digital graphics and revolution was a blessing instead of a hindrance to the Mexican people, Chicano/a, and people of color, and the movements they have inspired. They reached a larger and more diverse community of online audiences and have generated a bond of solidarity and commitment to keep rejecting the inequality and unfair treatment that devalues and controls their lives, the Chicano movement and marginalized people of color. I found this essay by Claudia Zapata and its contributors to be very insightful on the power and use of technical advances that exemplifies how Chicana/o artists continue to use their creativity to change the world we live in.