Last night at the All Souls Procession, we walked for our lost loved ones, and for the nameless faces and faceless names of our present and past. We remembered together, and next year we shall do the same.
Here are a few images from last night:
This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2015.
Not a single picture of an African American? This event should be cancelled until it is further diversified and more multicultural.
what about the fact that it’s a gross appropriation of culture and blatant display of white privilege…
but by all means, please continue marketing….
I am completely blown away by these comments! And here I just moved my children “home” from Idaho because I didn’t want to raise my Hispanic and Caucasian young and impressionable sons in a state with no “cultural” or “diversity!” This was the first event that we have attended since our return. I was very pleased and overwhelmed to be able to appreciate the people who made this public and free event possible. If it is thought that it did not properly signify the most accurate portrayal of this significant holiday than I would certainly hope that your presence and input was given. Not to mention a donation to the people who have used their own time and money to create such an event for the future generations such as my children to be able to be “rightfully” informed of such historical and important holidays regardless of who or whom thinks their nationality or race should permit them to do so. Not once did I look around and think about which races I and my children were surrounded by but instead of the beatiful colors and faces and being able to remember those who have past and who’s present this particular day is significant for. If it is or anyone sees it to be anything else than for how beautiful it was and how much it meant to this community than maybe it just isn’t the place for you rather than pointing out those who you feel should or shouldn’t have been there. In the end you can’t please everyone and I think the amount of people who were in attendance at this event proves otherwise.
This multicultural event is a highlight of the year for Tucson. Our Latin heritage and influence here is rarely celebrated by so different communities together.
The “All Souls Procession” is a fascinating and unique event. I’m amazed that so many people take the time to create such detailed ,elaborate and colorful costumes. It’s interesting to watch and intriguing to know about this celebration for those who have passed over. Next year I hope it draws more converts and gains more attention nationwide. Tucson needs additional reasons to be recognized for it’s remarkable heritage and justification for the pride we feel.
In reference to the previous comments…..This celebration is multicultural. If you want to be included, then show up and be apart of it. You can’t say, “My race is excluded” if you don’t try, but by all means, keep wasting your time marketing your ignorance online. That’s really sad.
I get that the sugar skull make-up and related dia de los muertos iconagraphy can be seen as appropriation. But I think a community walk in memory of people/places etc. that have passed cannot be claimed as belonging uniquely to any group.
Cinco De Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day (which have both become synonymous with binge drinking, projectile vomit, and cheap plastic costumes) are deserving of criticism. The All Souls Procession, which is influenced by, pays homage to, and blends a number of cultural elements in remembrance of the departed, is not. There are far better targets for outrage.
Everyone’s bones are the same color. They do not paint on “white faces”. They are conveying our universality with skull-like makeup.
I had avoided the procession for several years for reasons related to concern about cultural appropriation. However, this year, I attended and saw how wrong that notion is. For starters, the event planners, dancers, circus performers, and activists are an incredibly rich, diverse group of people. They include information on the website that this is not a “Day of the Dead” event, but instead, as others here have noted, a unique and fascinating event where an entire community rooted in Mexican heritage come together to mourn. At its very core, it does this to illustrate that no one of any race is immune from death nor the grief that comes from its eternal separation from loved ones. I wore a mask (yes, borrowed from Mexican culture and yes, as a symbol that all our skeletons are the same) and was so moved by all of the people I met eyes with as a result. Many say this event breaks down the barriers we put up around ourselves, and there is incredible value in that. I invite the initial commentators to come down next year and try walking in the procession or watching themselves.
I agree, I’m sure the people talking trash about All Souls (I am from Guatemala and grew up celebrating All Saints Day and Day of the Dead…Central America and Mexico hold both days very sacred) binge drink on Cinco de Mayo, calling it Mexico’s Independence Day.
YES, All Souls was influenced by All Saints Day and Day of the Dead, if the latter didn’t exist, neither would All Souls…for the immigrants from those regions of Latin America that live here, such as myself, it is very nice to have an event that makes us feel closer to home—a place where people from ALL cultures, not just “white people” walk together, remembering their family members, friends, and others who have passed. It is a very multicultural celebration….and I, as someone who was born, grew up, and visits Central America and Mexico VERY OFTEN, see it as an appreciation and celebration of the influence Latin America has in Tucson. Even my family in Guatemala think it’s pretty bad ass that Tucson has a ceremony like All Souls. And that, contrary to global belief, many Americans embrace diversity.