This project aims to serve as an example of scholarly work that combines visual media with traditional historical research.

“ When I first saw the diablos perform, I wished I could have known about them earlier in my life. This photographic collection is my effort to make cultural art more accessible for the youth and celebrate the Mixteco community. 

When I was 10 my family resettled in the United States and I struggled to learn English and assimilate into American culture. As a Mexican-American kid and teenager, like many other ethnic identities, you are taught to blend in with the Anglo, individualistic, and capitalistic way of life — to be more red, white, and blue American. I resisted and allowed my nostalgia for Mexico to drive my creativity. I was quite shy and sheltered so I felt connected via cooking, fashion, writing, comedy, and music. Once out of high school, I found out that there were many like me, except they were actually doing what I only imagined. There were a ton of people out here living their culture in company and in celebration. One example is Los Elegidos. They are exhilarating to watch and fill the air with pride and joy.

To witness a performance of traditional and indigenous dance on the same streets where so much hurt is inflicted and inequality enforced, made me realize that it was not only a human right to embrace and empower ourselves through the magic of our ethnic heritage, but a necessity for each other. Validation is only the start of stories like these. Then in 2020, during a pandemic and in the midst of a storm of injustices, Los Elegidos de Asís performed for a Black Lives Matter PRIDE event. Seeing such solidarity at the intersection of so many identities inspired me to do more to uplift what brings us together and celebrate the differences in the same light. One example is dance performances that connect people to their homeland and to the better versions of themselves.

What I experienced growing up as a first generation Mexican-American is not original and that actually gave me hope. It means that there is no blueprint on how to be a human, especially the multicultural ones. I find special refuge in performances that include masks and horns, because in my opinion that is something that people do socially. Metaphorically, we change masks accordingly for survival and we show our horns for the same reason; however, it is absolutely not something to be ashamed of and in fact worthy of pride. Additionally, I believe that performers are special versions of genius because they are able to part with their earthly hesitancy, use their bodies as instruments, and create a connection between the physical and spiritual world. Without realizing, the imagination becomes the protagonist and individuals become a community. “

— Elibet VM, Director