Guerrerense Diaspora Zine - Volume 1 by guerrerensediaspora

AUGUST 2020

GUERRERENSE DIASPORA ZINE

From the hearts and minds of Guerrerenses

This zine is dedicated to all the people from Guerrero and those who are now in diaspora

Este zine es dedicada a todes les persones de Guerrero y a les que estan en la diaspora

Historical Injustices & Resistance in our Flesh By Joel Calixto, El Aguachiles

As Guerrerenses, historical injustices and resistance lives in our flesh. Guerrero is where the living, the vanished, and dead exist together. Our distinct history deserves respect, honor, and remembering from everyone, especially those who call Guerrero home. Who are we as a people? I offer this piece as an introduction to highlight some of our story, beyond the beautiful playas en Acapulco, Cuahtemoctzin in Ixcateopan, our pozole blanco, and tamales de ceniza that everyone either loves or questions. If I took a shot of Mezcal for every time I have been mislabeled as Oaxaqueño or Poblano, I would be drunk laying on the floor with my sombrero calentano. These mislabeling to me means that all Brown people are reduced to some stereotype in everyone’s imagination and more importantly, our stories lack specificity and context. I sometimes think that Guerrero becomes a gray zone of many things and nothingness at the same time when we are simply labeled as the “land of violence,” “gente de sangre caliente” or my personal favorite, “cochos.” We are more than these stereotypes or simply just “resilient.” We are those who work the land, we are medicine keepers, artists, teachers, and pointers of rifles against the bad government. We are Guerrerenses or members of our specific pueblos before we are citizens of Mexico. This is because the Mexican government has historically been against its Black, Indigenous and marginal Mestizx populations in Guerrero. The 3 following is a snapshot of who we are. I hope you enjoy.

Formally established as a state in the year 1849, Guerrero has been divided into seven regions: (1) Tierra Caliente (2) Norte (3) Centro (4) Montaña (5) Costa Chica (6) Costa Grande (7) Acapulco (8) La Sierra (more recently added) Located next to the Pacific Ocean, Guerrero stores the memory of Black, Indigenous and Mestizo communities, global connections with the Philippines, and the final stage of Mexican Independence in Iguala. Pueblos originarios that have walked and work(ed) the land we now know as Guerrero include: Afro-descendientes, Ñamnkué (Amuzgo), Chontal, Nahua, Mexica, Me’Phaa (Tlapaneco), Ñu Savii (Mixteco), and Ñomdaá (to name a few) who are very much present with us today through art, family, or Danza. I can trace back the earliest forms of conflict on record in Guerrero to the Me’Phaa communities resisting and fighting the Mexica-Tenochca in the year 1461 through the codices of Azoyú. The catapulting of the Global Economy networks can be traced to Acapulco shoring in Galleons (huge Spanish sailing ships) coming from Manila in the Philippines during the sixteenth century. Vicente Guerrero, Mexico's first Black president and leader in the Mexican wars of Independence from Spain is born in Tixtla, Guerrero, 1782. The state of Guerrero in 1849 is established and named in honor of Vicente. During the Mexican Revolution in 1919, Guerrero becomes the only other Zapatista ruled state aside from Morelos (where tlayi Emiliano Zapata was from) and more importantly, where the vision of Tierra y Libertad briefly becomes a reality.

In 1967, during the Cold War era, El Partido de los Pobres (PdlP), a revolutionary Guerrerense-Socialist group arises out of La Costa Chica. The PdlP lead by Lucio Cabañas and Gerardo Vasquez fought tooth and nail against the inhumane torture and terror by the Mexican government’s Dirty War. The Mexican government feared the Pdlp and Lucio Cabañas so much that once dead, they buried Lucio’s body in secret so any memory of him would die with him. They of course failed because here we are talking about him. Remembering the fierce five hundred years of resistance of Indigenous communities against colonial powers comes the formation of the Consejo Guerrerense 500 años de Resistencia in 1992. This group becomes the Concejo Indigena y Popular de Guerrero—Emiliano Zapata (CIPOG-EZ), a Black, Indigenous and Mestizx (yes, Mestizxs are included in this) who fight for the right to self-determination, autonomy and strengthen community life. This group of Guerrerenses join the Zapatista Movement in 1994 and formally integrate into the anti-capitalist National Indigenous Congress, el Congreso Nacional Indigena (CNI) in 1996. More recently, in 2014, we remember the disappearing of the Ayotzinapa 43 men/educators and in 2019 Lucio Bartolo Faustino and Modesto Verales Sebastián of the Nahua communities and the Concejo Indigena y Popular de Guerrero—Emiliano Zapata (CIPOG) who were murdered for defending the land and fighting against the cultivation of Opium poppy plants used for the production of heroin. In 2015, after fierce advocacy, the nation-state of Mexico formally recognizes and visibilizes its Black/Afro descendiente population through the census.

With this snapshot into history, I ask one more time: Who are we as a people? What does being a Guerrerense mean to you? What part of our history will you pass on to the future generations? 5

Vivos se los llevaron, vivos los queremos. This piece was made to honor the 43 missing students of Ayotzinapa, who represent the ongoing struggle for Indigneous life which has been continuously under attack by the mexican state. by Maritza Geronimo

INDEPENDECE DAY September 15

During the festivities of the Mexican Revolution, all schools participated in a parade around town to commemorate this important event in Mexican history. In kindergarten students are always directed to dress up as campesinos, indigenous people who fought for our independence, and also important characters from Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa, Miguel Hidalgo and many more.

THE THREE COUSINS

From left to right. This picture portraits my cousin Irving, my brother Ronaldo, and me enjoying an afternoon in the fields where my grandfather Ubaldo will plant a variety of crops. It is a common activity to enjoy an afternoon in the fields enjoying a meal after the family took a break from work. My grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land is located close to la Libertad, Oaxaca. My grandfather always treated us well, he allowed us to pick up jicamas to eat or would slice up a watermelon with his machete so we can enjoy it while swimming in the river. These afternoons are deeply ingrained in my memory and I hope to never forget them.

By Geovani Serrano Laguna

The First Kiss

Here is a picture of my cousin Irving, my neighbor Karen, and my brother Ronaldo. My brother is kissing my neighbor and my aunt was at the right place at the right time to capture the moment. I am still uncertain about what was really going on but I think they were dared to do that or they were just playing around. However, I find it suspicious that my aunt was ready to take a picture.

Spring In my town, it is a tradition that kindergarten students dress up and do a parade around town in animal costumes to welcome Spring. My brother is portrayed in this picture dressed as a tiger. As a small family, our costumes were passed down from the oldest to the youngest and in this case I think it was the fourth time this costume was used. It was an amazing time during kindergarten to walk around town dressed as animals and welcome spring. After the parade we will also enjoy a picnic and fun activities when we reach the school grounds.

EL RATON VAQUERO

In elementary school in Mexico, students come together and do dance performances to celebrate spring. Here we are interpreting the song “El Raton Vaquero” by Cri-Cri. It talks about a cowboy mouse that was caught in a mousetrap and he has no way of communicating to get released. The performance was held in the main plaza located in the middle of town, and it was open to everyone in the community. Fortunately, this night the entire down joined us and appreciated all the effort that we put to make this show possible.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PART 2 The only thing I disliked about this event was the preparation time we took to make the parade a success. We used to practice the formation of the parade everyday for 2 or 3 weeks and the school band led us in a small parade around the school. On the other side, it was enjoyable to have some free time from learning but overall it was an exciting experience. In this picture, my sister is portrayed in her first parade/ march to commemorate Mexico’s independence day as a middle schooler.

First Picture in the United States Here is the first picture we took as a family in the United States. My father is missing because he was working. From left to right: Alitzel my little sister, my mom hilding my brother, Luis, on her hands,me, and my brother Ronaldo.

A NOBODYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DREAM BY GEOVANI SERRANO LAGUNA I had a dream Just like Dr. Martin Luther King once did. But I wake up every morning And I realize that my dream A dream of life, freedom, and happiness was never truly mine.

Still, if all I can do is dream about a dream that is illegal for me to touchâ&#x20AC;Ś Then I am nobody because a dream without action is like a soul without a body.

So here I am: A nobody with a dream A dream deferred.

Sometimes I think that God is unfair... Why do I still suffer because of my skin? I know we are all created in God’s image So why do we still harbor hate for each other Hate that ignores the content of my character?

Because the papa had no papers when he crossed the line, the son is now an outcast even though he was nine months old when he took that journey with Dad but I guess it doesn’t matter cuz all Latinos are bad? No. Real Christianity seems to be lost People attending church to read the Word and get a spot in heaven Their fear of hell makes them corrupt their faith. I’m tired of the hypocrisy of ignorant individuals Who enter the Lord’s house hiding their Wretched hate and repugnant identity behind angelic smiles

Sometimes I talk with God And I apologize to Him for all the cruelty in the world. I apologize for the world’s rejection of His Love, His Son, And I even find myself apologizing for those who hate me Those who do not allow their brothers and sisters to dream.

Still, I dream. You may consider my existence illegal because my parents acted on a dream of a better life. You may consider me a nobody, destined for years filled with toil and strife. Still, I dream. Now, I act.

“A dream without action is like a soul without a body. ”So here I am: I am somebody with a dream a dream undeterred

FOOD MEMORY

HOME RECIPES BY

ANGELES ABIGAIL MARIN MXMIJE 13

CHILATE A MAGIC MIX OF COCOA BEANS, RICE, CINNAMON AND SUGAR

Chilate is an iced cold drink fused of Indigenous and

African cultures. There are many variants of chilate

throughout Guerrero but my family sticks to the recipe

found throughout Costa Chica, afterall Costa Chica is

known as La Cuna Del Chilate. (Cradle of Chilate)

Traditionally the ingredients for Chilate are grinded

into a paste on a metate but this recipe is blender

friendly!

INGREDIENTS RAW COCOA BEANS RICE CINNAMON BROWN SUGAR WATER ICE

2 cups 2 cups 2 sticks 3/4 c 2 liters

~*DIRECTIONS FOR MAGIC*~ In a bowl set the rice and cinnamon sticks to soak in water, set aside On a flat pan or griddle set flame to high and add cocoa beans to toast for 7 minutes until you hear them snap and darken Remove cocoa beans from the pan and peel off their outer shells. Mmm smells so good! Add clean cocoa beans to the rice and cinnamon, wait another 15 minutes to soak Strain all ingredients and proceed to blender, add sugar and water to acquire paste. In a large jar or container bring paste, water, one cinnamon stick and ice. Stir! Add more sugar to your liking however this drink is best sweet with hints of bitterness. A key part to chilate is to pour from an elevated level so the drink can naturally foam, if it doesn’t have bubbles it’s not Chilate!

A SPOTLIGHT ON A FORGOTTEN QUELITE

HUAZONTLE HUAUHZONTLI (HUAHTLI:AMARANTH & TZONTLI: HAIR)

Huazontle's name is derived from Nahuatl HBuauhzontli (huahtli:amaranth & tzontli: hair) or hairy amaranth, a native edible plant that grows mainly in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Puebla. Pueblos originarios (first peoples) of these lands consumed huauzontle for energy and used in ceremony. Huauzontle grows into thin stalks that produce many tiny green flower buds, the buds are used in dishes such as Huazontle filled with cheese (my favorite is Oaxacan cheese) coated with a mix of egg white and flour, fried and dipped into a rich sauce made from chile pasilla or guajillo. Vegetarian, nutritious, and ancestral.

Huazontle relleno dipped in mole de chile pasilla is a recipe passed down to my grandmother by her father and now lives through me so I can share with all of you this sacred dish. 17

YOU'LL

NEED 5 cups of huauzontle flower blooms cut from stalks Cheese (queso fresco, queso Oaxaca, or queso cotija) 5 egg whites and egg yolks (separated)½ cup of flour or as needed 7 unseeded chiles pasilla that have been softened in water 3 tomatoes ½ an onion 2 garlic cloves Chicken broth or water, salt, and oil

DIRECTIONS -Rinse flower buds and bring to boil in a pot with a pinch of salt on medium high until tender. -Remove, strain, and pat buds dry with a clean towel or napkins. -cut cheese into thumb sized pieces, form a patty of huauzontle on the palm of your hand and place cheese in the center. Cover the cheese with more huauzontle, compress and shape into a flattened oval. Continue doing this until Huauzontle is gone. -cover huauzontle patties by sprinkling flour on both sides -In a bowl whisk egg whites until foam, add egg yolks and whisk some more until very airy and light. -In a frying pan bring cooking oil to heat up, oil should be enough to cover half or most of the patty -dip flour covered huauzontle into egg mix one at a time and into the oil. Fry patty until golden, remove. Instructions for sauce: -Blend chile pasilla, onion, garlic and a tbsp of salt with chicken broth or water. -in a separate pot add two tbsp of oil until hot and sift sauce through a strainer directly in the pot with oil. -continue stirring, add a cup extra of water or chicken broth. Taste test for more salt to your liking. Lastly dip Huauzontle patties into sauce and serve with a side of rice or legumes. 19

Nuestra convivencia es única Siempre alegres, alegres siempre Y que sigua la arrechera ¡ea! ¡ea! ¡ea! Asi es la gente de la Costa ¡Pura arrechera¡ De dia, de noche, ha’ta que nos amanej’ca!¡ Maniiita si te contara las historias! Ya miraste cómo bailan La Iguana Que sacala la cadera y que cachetea mami Y pue’ seguimo bailando y seguimo gozando Un poco mal hablaos, y un poco picaros ¡Esa es mi Costa Chica de Guerrero! COSTA CHICA PRESENTE DESDE OXNARD, CALIFAS ¡Saludos pa’ Copala, Guerrero y todos los Pueblos Negros! by Adriana

Picture 1: Mom and grandma at a family party in Rosemead conviviendo. Picture 2: Mom, tia, and grandma dancing with a live grupo behind them. Picture 3: CumpleaĂąos sorpresa para mi tĂo Javier, lo sorprendimos con mi abuelita! 21

Enchiladas Rojas Receta por Laura Venegas inspirada por mis antepasados y por mi madre. Fotos por mi hija Lili Enchildas Rojasque hacia mi madre para vender en la escuela cuando habia kermĂŠs y siempre que las hago recuerdo el ezfuerzo y el amor de mi madre.

1.Hasan 8 chiles guajillo. DespuĂŠs se quita la colita y se remueven las semillas. Luego se hacen a un lado ya trozados.

2. Hasán 3 tomates verdes y 2 ajos. Luego se ponen a remojar los chiles guajillos con el tomate verde y los ajos con agua caliente por 10 minutos. Después de 10 minutos agrege sal al gusto y se licua todo junto.

3. Pon un sartén a fuego medio y agrege aceite y cebolla cortada en rodajas. Se sofríe haste que la cebolla esté color cafecito.

4. Se agrega el chile que licuamos y se deja hervir a fuego lento. DespuĂŠs se le agrega sal al gusto.

5. Ya teniendo la salsa lista en otro sartĂŠn agregamos aceite y pasamos la tortillas en aceite. Las pasamos en la salsa ya preparada y las sacamos.

6. DespuĂŠs de tener la tortilla pasada en la salsa, en un plato se agrega queso fresco y se hace rollito. Ya teniendo varias tortillas enrolladas, se espolvorea queso fresco encima con crema y cebolla picada.

Y quedaron listas para comer! FĂĄcil y sencillas y rĂĄpidas de hacer :) Espero que disfruten estas enchiladas estilo Guerrero. 25

Feb. 1992- Lorena, 4 months old in Colonia Juarez, Gro. This picture displays a typical sombrero calentano hanging on the wall.

Sombreros de Palma By Lorena Camargo Gonzalez

These photos depict my trajectory with reclaiming cultural artifacts from Tierra Caliente, the place of my birth. The region I was born in and its surrounding areas is known as Tierra Caliente for its hot and humid weather. Given the high temperatures, palm sombreros or sombreros de palma are a common accessory because they protect the head and face from the heat. I grew up listening to stories of elders in my family and community threading palm chains to then sell to the sombrererias. My family would also bring back sombreros to the U.S. During my last visit to the homeland, I decided to purchase my own sombrero and carry with me a little piece of Tierra Caliente.

Oct. 2018- Mural of sombreros in Tlapehuala, Gro.

Oct. 2018- Sombreros for sale and Lorena wearing her own sombrero 27 de palma in Tlapehuala, Gro.

LONGING

BY JESUS CORTEZ

Whenever we’d leave the city and saw hills, Teresa would yearn for the hills and mountains of her Guerrero that she hardly remembered, but carried on her flesh— “It might be because I was born on the mountain, while my mother held on tightly to a tree”, she’d always remind me— her soul longed to be with nature, with the flowers that blessed her birth and the birds who first spoke her holy name. I feel the same longing, while walking the hills, as the birds fly above me, I can feel Teresa and hope to someday visit the Holy Tree of her birth on the mountains of Guerrero and kneel in prayer.

el tiempo pasa By Daniela Arteaga

My tia Angelica holding my brother y mi abuela Petra. The title of this series of photos is just a reminder to hold on to the memories that you once had of family members, friends, and people you once knew. It is a mixture of photos of my family and things I've cherished from our pueblo. I also tried to commemorate my momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest sister Angelica. She is the oldest of 14 and is the only one still residing in el pueblo. My family is from Cuetzala del Progreso, Gro. The first time I visited was a time like no other. Even though I was 5 years old, I have vivid memories of this place as I remember my grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, los paisajes, and the food. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve returned a couple of times and every time I visit, I learn something new. My parents grew up in this pueblo but did not meet until they made it to Chicago. It was as if it was destiny.

My tia Angelica and her husband.

El mezcal de mi primo, Cuatro Barrios.

My abuelo, Teodoro.

Chanclas for sale at my tia Angelicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house.

Where the river extends By Vanessa Nava

I stood with the flores de terciopelo at hand and paced along the cement floor thinking I would find the entrance of the town, mi ama Cari's birthplace. I had the sensation that I was leading her there, but she was hinting me to return to the place where I was from. I realized the importance of her call. I decided to take a trip. Weeks in advance the trip preparation to Tonalapa del Rio was at the eye of the Nava family. My aunties were to meet us, at the international terminal of Mexico City's airport and then head to Tonalapa del Rio. We were coming from Chicago. On these trips, I brought pieces of me and left pieces of me, like wind hissing back and forth. It was as if I had not left the town. The times I am in Mexico, I go directly to Tonalapa del Rio, Guerrero, a location always present in my mind. Since I came to the United States, I can trace my blood ties. I imagine I can live and return to Tonalapa del Rio everlastingly. 31

Mi ama Cari and ama Tere had organized a great feast, both had invited aunts, uncles, and cousins to gather, help prepare food and celebrate our safe trip. The outside and inside patio seemed larger this time. The ground of the outside patio was dirt before, now it was cement. The walls of the inside patio used to be navy blue, but had been changed to lime green. Ama Cari preferred to gather around the petril early in the morning after our arrival. I brought bread: piĂąas, cemitas, borrachos and all the sugary panecitos saved for us to have with hot chocolate. The burning trunks and little tree branches were heating up the comal while ama Cari gave air with el aventador to the fire. I tried to stand closer aside mi ama Cari and ama Tere. I felt the tear of the protection shield,Â losing its energy as days passed and wished we could find a new shield to be in.

Mi ama Cari sensed that our family protection shield of communion had been weakened. She provided me with three requests that I understood:Â to not forget the people that raise you, to give back something in return, and go back to your roots. When the house tanque did not fill all the way with water it was the moment to go to la Atlmolonga. We crossed a cement overpass to get through la Atlmolonga. On each side we had a cousin to hold hands with. Underneath the channel of water lies the river of Tonalapa del Rio that connects to rio Balsas. Once we were closer, we would get into the stream of water, pacing with the deep hot spring waves. The one time I went in, I felt the warmth, calmness and intensity as I moved in, to the center of la Atlmolonga.

I felt the earth encarbonada, wet and humid. I thought we were going to stay inside the water well forever; there was a light under the fragile branches. I saw trees blooming, the sky orange up above. I felt my voice break and my sister's voice with echo. I wished in reclaiming that lost voice and emerge from la Atlmolonga. All the way from Tonalapa del Rio, ama Cari's presence accompanied me to offer guidance in finding a new place to be home. We crossed borderlines, borderlines crossed us. I made sure I brought flores de terciopelo with me. I walked with ama Tere to the cemetery to bring water and flowers to ama Cari's grave. She let me know that her presence is with us, like the terrestrial scorpions. Ama Cari climbs mountains, runs along the river, taking her splendor everywhere.

Rushes of vivid memories remind me to reconnect with the town Tonalapa del Rio. It is a vision to re-learn, revive, and re-count the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge and practices passed down generation by generation. Our primas y primos reminded us not to forget. You can rapidly forget once you step into a new place. For ama Cari's anniversary, I laid out the flores de terciopelo outside the place that became my new home. The burgundy color of the flowers flowed like a river over the cement floor on a rainy day. I took the petals and dropped them one by one as I felt I needed to do. I wanted to retrace my steps to not lose direction. Space exists where the river extends. Tonalapa del Rio streams through my steps guided by the flow of the river.

OF ALL RELATION These photographs are from a larger series in a folder called: Of All Relation by Jorge Sibaja

Photography has been useful to explore and cement my relationships to people, places, and myself. To point it at someone else creates a relationship, hopefully one of trust - it creates a bond. I have the privilege of knowing where my people are from and where they have lived.

I have the privilege of knowing where my people are from and where they have lived. Los Zapotecos were called the cloud people by the Aztecs. Yahuivè, the site of these photographs, in Zapoteco means: the sticks (forest) of butterflies.

To make fun of a bad family member or thing, sometimes people say “we’re of no relation”. But, I am these people and I am the place that is depicted in these photographs so, it’s of all relation to me. 37

Blurry

By Geovani Serrano Laguna

Blurry is how I see the world Without my large, black and beautiful glasses. However this time The blurry image is not what I see Not what I see through my glasses But those memories of my past

I tried for many years to remember Who I used to be as a child What was my favorite toy? My favorite hobby? What mischievous things I did in my hometown Tlalixtaquilla? But everything is blurry.

It is like if my memory has been erased I only retain fragments of who I used to be Fragments that I completed With the memories I made in this country. I am afraid my past is now just an illusion. I am lost among fragments of memories But I just cannot find myself.

My biggest hurt is not remembering The memories I experienced with my friends in Tlalixtaquilla Sometimes it takes days to remember And I burst out in happiness to had remembered what I did as a child I am afraid that my blurry memories It symbolizes that my image is blurry to my friends, and family. I hope they don’t forget me. I want to remember and cherish those memories forever. However, living this new life makes me forget sometimes.

I was happy but at the same time I was not A few days ago, I remembered my saddest moments Sad moments fill with jealousy on father’s day Celebrations all around town Kids going to the town's events by the hand of their parent I was one of the few without my dad next to me And even though he is now next to me he seems far. He is a total stranger to me. I don’t sing happy birthdays song to him no more I tried but it hurts just as my blurry memories Maybe that’s why they are blurry

Maybe I have more sad memories than happy ones Maybe I am afraid to remember To remember that I am far away from home To realize that my birthplace my never see me again To realize that I am being forgotten To realize that maybe my bisabuela won’t be there To hug me when I come home To realize that I have lost half of my life As my memories fade away.

Sometimes I wake up and my world is blurry Is like my soul does not want to be here anymore Like my soul is tired of traveling this long journey Yet for some reason, I keep on traveling this blurry journey of mine. I keep on traveling hoping that one day I see the true colors of this world But I feel like I would not be me when I get there This world forces you to transform yourself into your worst enemy It overcomes you and you never realized until it is too late.

I live my life with a blurry view I am tired but won’t give up Even as I write this line with teardrops Running down my cheek I have to be strong even when I am not able to stand on my own I am strong and I am sure Make my blurry journey to college a possibility Make living in such country bearable I survived being discriminated for not staying silence I unblurry my vision by ego checking myself every night Maybe those who talk about ego can’t see their own eating them alive

I know that I rather live in a blurry world Than living a lie of life that many that surround me do. Welcome to my blurry world.

Photo Series by Alkaid Ramirez

Sohan Mex- American History 35mm BW film

The Sohan American Market painted by Emigdio Vasquez â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Memories of the past, Images of the presentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an important piece of art that reminds us of our Chicanx identity. In 1970, a small riot began as police responded to a shots fired call by a heckling bystander and as tensions grew, the police proceeded to beat and mace passerbys, close by residents and even broke into nearby houses to beat, mace and arrest Chicanxs. His mural was a symbol of resistance to the oppressors by reminding us of our roots and identity.

Second Gen Chicano 120mm Color Film A second generation Chicano is posted on his property in Anaheim. His business is across the street from our own family business, he goes through the same obstacles we do with the city regulators. Being so close to the Packing District, the city of Anaheim wants to buy out our properties to continue the gentrification of the area. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to push us out, but we will stay and remain servicing the community the city chooses to ignore.

Posted 35mm BW film

This liquor store to me is another landmark of Chicanx identity as it carries essential Chicanx products and provides it to the community around them. Placed on Citron and Broadway blvd, it is in a heavily dense Chicanx area and is also a meeting point for many Chicanx residents as seen in the photo. The old school lowrider in the photo to me is the cherry on top as you see two Chicanos examining and admiring the ride, it provides a good dipiction of the lowrider culture that is also embedded in the the Chicanx culture.

Portraits of Dyana Gutierrez, a single mother of 3, Anaheim born and raised, works front test at a physical therapy clinic and still continues to grow her skills to provide for her family. A living definition of Hispanic resilience with a Firme mentality.

Firme Chicana Dyana Gutierrez 120mm Color Film

Joules of Weapons of Mass Creation 35mm BW film

This portrait of Joules (Julia Franco) lead vocals for Weapons of Mass Creation, shows a great refinement of Chicanx beauty mixed with resilience. Their music is driven to educate and provide experiences of being a Chicanx individual while living among oppressors and coloonist culture

Homies 120mm Color Film

I wanted to share this photo because I was blessed to be in the position I was with my camera. This Chicano was at Newport Beach with his woman but he stood out most by everyone on the pier. Not only because of his tattoos but he was the only other brown skinned Chicano watching the sunset besides me. His name was Mike and to me he was validation that these areas mostly populated by white people were just as much ours as theirs (stolen but that is what they claim).

Dear Undocumented Student BY GEOVANI SERRANO LAGUNA

Dear Undocumented Student, Please do not let these times discourage you Keep on fighting the good fight Remember that you are not alone There are many of us thriving under these circumstances and you can too! We will reach success like the Kings and Queens that we are.

Dear Undocumented Student, Never forget where you come from. We are descendants of warriors and guerreras. Somos chingonxs y nunca nos rendimos. Remember that as long as you fight Your dreams will never perish.

DearUndocumented Student, Do not feel discouraged We are forgotten by the DACAmented movement but that is okay. Let us show them that we do not forget where we come from. Let us not fight for just us!! Let us fight for our parents the real dreamers! Let us show these neutral and passive representatives that we had enough!

We had enough of them! They sell us out when it comes to elections. They claim that our parents don't matter by advocating for Dreamers only! That only those that are able to go to college and can work matter. “They portrait the perfect immigrant narrative DACA students who are not doctors, lawyers, scientists matter too. Let us not become elitist like them.” Let's show them that even if they forget us We will succeed and fight for all! We won't sell our people out! We are dreamers too!

Dear Undocumented Student, Represent your community with everything you got! Yet don't forget to take care of yourself!! Our survival, our existence is resistance!! We struggle every day, every second, from the time we wake up! Don't let an eight months story as an undocumented waiting for papers profit from us For many of us, it is not temporary but our entire life.

Don't stay quiet Let them know that they cannot represent us or profit from our struggle Let their fake movement not be a representation of us.

Dear Undocumented Student, Make everyone uncomfortable with your presence Please do not imitate sell outs. Please prove this society wrong. DACA students are not the only ones in college We are too and we struggle! We matter even when they take us for granted.

Dear Undocumented Student, Promise me you will never give up! Our path is full disparities We will be victorious at the end Remember that immigration is not stopping More undocumented students like us Will face disparities They will tell them that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter They will tell them that education is impossible They will tell them that without DACA There is not future Let us prepare to shine and guide those coming right behind us!!

We are seeds that in the worst conditions will thrive and grow into wild roses.

This series is part of a larger body of work called Origins & Displacements: Making Sense of Place, Histories & Possibilities. Statement: My artistic practice addresses issues of gentrification, Chicanx/Latinx histories in a city, and the systemic erasure of Brown people through the use of counter-narratives that amplify and extirpate hegemonic structures in local city narratives. Using photography, installation, political public performances, community archiving, and my role as an arts-based educator, I negotiate the legacies and disempowerment of Brown people in my hometown of Anaheim, California. I respond to found archives of the city through a historical art praxis that manifests as series-based artworks and strategies that address geographic place. Working with historically underrepresented narratives means dealing with the effects of systematic erasure, and implementing a critical pedagogical approach with room for further investigation of forgotten stories. By using hyperlocal histories, legacies, and contemporary news stories, I confront and challenge social constructs that are placed upon a city with historically racist policies and ideologies.Â I do this through liberatory actions that provoke new interpretations and elevates people's hidden histories to the forefront. These issues of erasure, structural racism, and displacement become universal to other places and histories with similar power structures. Follow: @billythecamera 49

THE BLACK DIASPORA OF GUERRERO

T H I R D

R O O T

No hay Guerrero sin los pueblos Negros There is no Guerrero without Black communities 54

constitutional Recognition has been a lifetime resistance for Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Black population. AfroMexican populations exist throughout Mexico but are largely concentrated in 3 states: Guerrero, Oaxaca & Veracruz

Visit the official page https://afrocenso.mx/ for current efforts on the visibilization of AfroMexicans on the MX census.

The Black diaspora in Mexico's southern pacific coast has existed and established more than 200 communities with many degrees of self proclamation. AfroMexicans and AfroIndigenous Mexicans have been a staple to Guerrero's musical, artistical, social, linguistical, and agricultural development to name a few. Yet to the rest of Mexico Afro-Indigenous, Afro-Mexicans remain unrecognized.

The social fabric of Afro Mexican communities of la Costa Chica of Guerrero and Oaxaca is characterized by poor infrastructure in education, housing, and transportation at a much higher degree than other communities.

Some demands per the collective of AfroMexican and Indigenous peoples of Guerrero & Oaxaca (Translated) That in the law that creates the new institution, the Afro-Mexican people be recognized as a subject of law. That in the text of the law, in any mention made to Indigenous Peoples, add "and Afro-Mexican". That the term Afro-Mexican be added to the name of the new institution, to remain: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS AND AFROMEXICAN PEOPLE That in the National Council and the Regional Councils, there is a community representation or delegate for each group that recognizes itself as Black People: Black people from Oaxaca, Black people from Guerrero, Mascogos, Jarochos, etc ' Give coverage to own communication efforts such as the case of radios, TV channels, community cell phones and free internet so that the infrastructure and budget of communications can directly . be operated by the towns.Â A determined impulse to strengthen the agricultural economy of agricultural units such as ejidos, productive organizations and economic units, as well as the articulation of all existing social subjects in the Afro-Mexican territories, since in the case of the Coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca, there is strong productive potential. which may well contribute to Mexico's food sovereignty and selfsufficiency, already defined as a national priority. Special mention requires attention to the fishing activity of the coastlines where the Afro-Mexican population is based, as well as the development of sustainable aquaculture. 57

Important links on Black Mexico short documentaries & interviews with english subtitles "NoÂ more Mexico without Afro-Mexicans" Know what Afro-Mexican communities are demanding: : https://youtu.be/lRC4w4Fu2yE "From the coast to the entire world" a 30 min short documentary on the Black sounds & music of La Costa Chica:

https://youtu.be/1EFDRed7KT0 "Danza De Los Diablos" The Afro-Mexican dance of rebellion, protest & resistance: https://youtu.be/yXcmxYkYvEQ

"Afro-descendants in Mexico" *spanish captions* https://youtu.be/6YD3PB4KOIw

"Afro-Mexicans face racism daily in Mexico" https://youtu.be/tJwwQFeWnVc 58

Contributors In order of appearance:

Joel Calixto, El Aguachiles (Nahua, Xicano) was born in Ixcateopan de Cuahutemoc and is currently an undocumented PhD student at the University of California, Davis. Studying the history of Guerrero, he looks at global connections, anti-colonial responses and negotiations by Black, Indigenous and Mestizx communities against the nation-state of mexico, canadian mining companies, and colonialism(s). Instagram: agua.chiles Twitter: jdcalixtoagua

Maritza Geronimo is a Nahua Guerrerense Quechua Xicana from Anaheim, CA. They are currently a Ph.D. student in Geography at UCLA. They are also an herbalist and doula in training.

Geovani Serrano-Laguna was born in Tlalixtaquilla, Guerrero. Tlalixtaquilla is situated in the mountain region of Guerrero. He lived in Tlalixtaquilla, Guerrero for 13 years before making the journey to the United States. As a kid, he always loved traveling except that this journey would transform his life forever. His new life in the United States constituted of continuous struggle, especially when furthering his education. He is a first-generation college student that aspires to become a family physician. Geovani Serrano received his Bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College in 2018 and a Science Associate from Andrew College in 2015. He currently serves as the Vice President of Mentorship for the Georgia Atlanta chapter of MiMentor, a national mentoring organization committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Mr. Serrano was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, honors society, at Andrew College and helped found a chapter at Tougaloo College. Mr. Serrano now holds the position of community organizer at the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights(GLAHR) in where he continues fighting for immigrant rights and continues the legacy he started in 2015 as a student activist with Freedom University, an underground school for undocumented students

Contributors cont. In order of appearance:

Angeles A. Marin Mxmije was born in Acapulco De Juarez after their family made the move out of a small pueblo in Costa Chica. They grew up in various parts of Tongva land (orange county) but remained connected to home through cumbia tropical and tamales nejos. They identify as Costeñx/a but remains honoring their AfroIndigenous descendance by uplifiting and highlighting issues surrounding those communities and members of their family. If you want take a chance on cumbia costeña they suggest starting with conjunto mar azul! ( insta:@mxmije)

Adriana lives in Oxnard, California.

Laura Venegas Valadez es de de Huitzuco, Guerrero.

Lorena was born in Altamirano, Guerrero and immigrated to California shortly after her first birthday. Growing up in the California Northern Central Valley, Lorena ate plenty of mole rojo,verde and tamales nejos, Guerrerense style. Currently, Lorena is a Ph.D. student in education at UCLA. As an emerging scholar, Lorena examines race and racism and representations of People of Color in children's literature. She hopes to write her own children’s book on the Guerrerense diaspora.

Jesus Cortez is an undocumented immigrant writer and poet who resides in West Anaheim, California, where he was raised by his mother, a woman with Indigenous roots in Guerrero. Through his writing, he attempts to bring the stories rarely told about Anaheim and the people in it.

Contributors cont. In order of appearance:

Daniela Arteaga was born and raised in Chicago. She is a recent graduate from Northeastern Illinois University with a focus on Communication and Media. Currently, she is 24 years old and resides in the neighborhood of West Ridge. Just a regular folk that enjoys photography and film. Through this zine, she hopes people can take interest in learning the nuances of Guerrerense people and the beauty of our land.

Vanessa Nava is a documentary filmmaker, writer and founder of Xiquihuitl Media, a community media production. Her poetry has been featured in After Words: Texts on Voice (2011), The Guide to the New Universe (2011) and Dress Codes (2015). Contact:www.vanessanava.com info@vanessanava.com @xiquihuitlmedia

Jorge Sibaja was born and raised in Mid Town, Los Angeles. A recent graduate from Brown University, studied Art History.

Alkaid RamirezÂ is a Chicano freelance film photographer based out of Anaheim, California. While studying at Humboldt State University for his B.A. in psychology, he spent much of his time learning about photography. With a new foun d love for the art, he began to document Chicanx culture and adversities as well as his personal endeavors to bridge the gap between the abvious and abilvious. He hope that viewers gain a level of understanding and awareness about a wolrd outside themselves

William Camargo is an Arts Educator, Photo-Based Artist and Arts Advocate born and raised in Anaheim, California, he is currently serving as Commissioner of Heritage and Culture in the city of Anaheim and working towards an M.F.A at Claremont Graduate University. He is the founder and curator of Latinx Diaspora Archives an archive Instagram page that elevates communities of color through family photos.Â

Thank you Here are some Guerrerense Organizations to Follow: - CIPOG-EZ -PSG Atoyac -Colectiva Flores De Jamaica instagram: @floresdexamaicaa

For more information about this zine follow instagram: @guerrerensediaspora

Tierra y Libertad Press