10 November 2019
Santa Cruz County is home to many cultural resources that cater to Mexicans and Mexican Americans. The presence of such resources (museums, historical centers, restaurants, events, etc.) aids the utilization of official state resources by community members. Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman, and Hessenauer (2019) state that “the reluctance of Chicano clients to seek help from a social welfare agency can be reduced by the use of these natural resources.”
On November 2, 2019, the city of Santa Cruz hosted a Dia de los Muertos celebration. I was fortunate enough to attend and participate in the celebration which entailed a festive procession beginning in the downtown area and concluding at Evergreen Cemetery. The joyous nature of the event was further marked by live music, colorful dresses, delicious food and a lively crowd.
Throughout the holiday event I remained conscious of its purpose: the remembrance of the dead. What struck me most was the concept of death being framed in an uplifting and celebratory way. Not once did the joyous shouts, smiling, and loud music appear disrespectful or out-of-context. This challenged my previous belief that death should only be honored in a somber manner. The experience broadened my perspective regarding “appropriate” forms of expression. I found embracing difference to be a liberating experience (versus the rigid confines of an ingrained belief system).
References
Zastrow, C., Kirst-Ashman, K., & Hessenaur S. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, Inc.
Ivan Carnice 