On a chilly October weekend, big white papier-mâché skulls are scattered around a backyard in north Dallas.
Around them, artists and organizers with Cara Mía Theatre are busy making mojigangas, 12-foot-tall hollow puppets that will be worn by marchers during the parade later that week. The artists hold newspaper, glue and brushes. There's a distant sound of a drill and chatter in the background.
"We are trying to talk about who has been the people there on the first line, risking their lives for all of us," said Frida Espinosa-Müller, the Mexican artist directing the group.
Espinosa-Müller has modeled the puppets after essential workers, activists and healthcare workers.
The Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead march taking place in Dallas in about a week is a chance to honor the more than 18,000 people who have died from COVID-19 in Texas. Organizers are also stressing the disproportionate impact the virus has had on the Latino community.
“I think we all have lost someone. It’s important to keep them alive. We all have someone. We all know about someone," said Linda Lopez, a Dallas artist helping create the mojigangas. "We can’t be present at their funerals and things, so for me, this is how I can give and show that I do care about them.”
On the other side of town in Oak Cliff, Giovanni Valderas, a 42 year-old Latino artist, is putting together an untraditional float for the caravan. His calavera or giant skeleton is modeled after President Donald Trump. It will be painted red-orange and money bags will sit all around the float's base.
The Trump calavera will wear a bright red hat that resembles the MAGA hat and reads “IT’S NOT MY FAULT.”
“Our federal government has not only messed up but also caused a lot of mistrust. So for me it’s hinting towards him (Donald Trump), it goes back to the government’s inability to take care of American citizens,” said Valderas.
Politics Infused With Day Of The Dead
Critiquing the government on a day meant to honor the dead is not a new thing. Día de los Muertos has historically had deep political roots.
One of the holiday’s most iconic images, la calavera catrina, was created in the early 1900s by Mexican illustrator Jose Posada. The elegantly-dressed skeleton lady was an indictment of Mexico’s upper class at the time.
“I think that when we look at Mexican and Chicano customs, and especially communal and cultural practices. When we get together, even if it’s for Christmas for a pastorela or a posada. Even in those practices, politics is infused. So, it’s the same with the Days of the Dead in Mexico," said David Lozano, Cara Mía Theatre’s artistic director.
And because of this history, it was only natural for Cara Mía Theatre to team up with a civil rights organization for the march: the League of United Latin American Citizens or LULAC.
"This is a matter of life and death, and we need to get a response from our national government because people are hurting."Domingo Garcia, president of LULAC
"This is a matter of life and death, and we need to get a response from our national government because people are hurting," said Domingo Garcia, president of LULAC.
This parade was LULAC's opportunity to make a powerful statement.
"We want to bring attention to the powers that be," said Ramiro Luna-Hinojosa, a community organizer with LULAC. "That they need to act in a more humane manner, but also bringing attention to our people about the seriousness of the situation and making sure they’re taking care of themselves because we are on the front lines.”
A Celebration Of Life And Sorrow
The sun shined bright on the crowd gathered outside the Cathedral Guadalupe on Sunday afternoon to see the spectacle.
Church bells chimed at 2 p.m. signaling that the parade was about to begin. Among the crowd were dancers wearing ornate, multicolored headdresses and matachines dancers beating on drums.
Cara Mía Theatre's giant skeleton puppets mingled with organizers who led marchers on the 20-minute walk to Dallas City Hall and a caravan of cars with Mexican flags and colorful banners followed.
“I have many friends that their families have passed away from it. I am here to honor them and their families. Some of them didn’t get a chance to say goodbye," said Juan Guerrero, 39, who rode along in his '99 Chevy Tahoe.
Guerrero, who's an essential worker, contracted COVID-19 in August and was sick for two weeks. He wrote messages on his truck like 'Lots of lives lost' criticizing the Trump administration for their handling of the pandemic.
“If this is the greatest country in the world why wasn’t there a quick response?" said Guerrero.
At the event Dallas resident Yulissa Madrid stood next to a community altar and shared the story of her great-uncle Eugelio Madrid with the crowd.
“He caught COVID-19 and was misdiagnosed. It angers and frustrates me because as an illegal coming to this country he worked so hard to get where he wanted to for all of us," said Madrid.
Madrid, who's from El Salvador, lost her great-uncle in August. she didn't grow up with the Day of the Dead holiday, but her family adopted it in Texas and hold it close to their hearts.
The event brought mixed emotions for marchers and organizers. It was a celebration of culture, but also a grim reminder of the damage the global pandemic continues to inflict on people — especially the Latino community — everywhere.
Got a tip? Email reporter Miguel Perez at mperez@kera.org and reporter Alejandra at amartinez@kera.org. You can follow Alejandra on Twitter @_martinez_ale. You can follow him on Twitter @quillindie.
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