Gonzalez, Jerry (Abstract for Alessandra Moctezuma)

    Alessandra Moctezuma is the author of this article published by the San Diego Union Tribune. In it, she describes the challenges that she has faced as a gallery director and fine arts professor through the coronavirus pandemic. She mentions her plans throughout 2021 to deliver galleries remotely via Zoom as well as drive through exhibitions for her students. She plans to use her 2021 projects to bring change in the demographics of artists that are given a spotlight.

Moctezuma, Alessandra. “Looking Ahead at 2021 in the Arts: Alessandra Moctezuma: 'It's Time to Speak up and Participate'.” Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2021, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/visual-arts/story/2021-01-03/looking-ahead-at-2021-in-the-arts-alessandra-moctezuma.

Gonzalez, Jerry (Week 3)

The image of the Virgen de Guadalupe was always a sensitive subject in my home. My mother grew up in a stern Jehovah's Witness family in El Salvador, which preached against idolizing such images. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination, which believe that such images hold no power and should not be regarded with such high praise. As a result of growing up with this mindset, every image of her that appeared in our home heavily displeased her.  

Though my mother did not care for these images my dad was raised Catholic, and proudly wore the Virgin on his chest everyday. My father was raised in Mexico, where the image is a national symbol seen everywhere you look. Being so heavily influenced by her significant presence, he scattered images of the Virgin throughout our house just as his family did. From the chain he wore, to the backlit framed portrait that was always lighting our living room when the lights went out. 

Growing up in a mixed Christian-Catholic home religion was a continual source of contention. Though my parents grew up with their own preconceived notions on things, they provided us with their own perspectives and left us to come to our own conclusions and decisions on religion and its images. They have given my siblings and I the freedom to explore our own faiths but not before giving me my own Virgen on my eighteenth birthday. I now proudly wear her on my chest everywhere I go, not as as much as a religious symbol, but rather a symbol of the love and strength my parents have given me.

Moctezuma, Alessandra

2) Leticia V. Huerta

3) Maya Gonzalez

Gonzalez, Jerry (Jerry)

Hey there!

My name is Jerry Gonzalez, I'm a second-year Cognitive Science major and my pronouns are he/him. Despite being born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, my mother and father immigrated from El Salvador and Mexico respectively. I have always felt a strong interest in psychology but I am not against the idea of including cultural studies somewhere in my degree. 

Although I am not exactly sure what I want to do in terms of my career, I have a background in community empowerment and education that will help guide me. I've been involved in programs that aim to educate black and brown communities of the food inequities that exist in our neighborhoods and how to combat these issues. These interests are significant to me because I believe that the youth in the lower income neighborhoods of Los Angeles could flourish if given the right tools and opportunities. 

However, I also believe that I must understand my people as well as their culture in order to be a strong community member. That is why I became interested in taking a course where I can hear the stories of Chicana artists that I may not have known about before taking this course. I never thought that there would be a class at UCLA where I would be able to learn about Chicana art and artists so I am excited to be here! This will be my first Chicanx studies class but I hope that it won't be my last!