Over the Borderline

Muralism: Portraits of Phoenix Work by Angel Diaz -- 1st Street south of Jackson -- Phoenix, Az Murals are more than an art form, they are part of the lifeblood and fabric of the communities in which they are painted. Whether their locale is a barrio or a newly gentrified neighborhood, murals paint a picture of struggle, culture, history, politics, and activism. They are an outlet for the oppressed, a conduit that connects people from various walks of life, they are a link between the past and present, they are at once a symbol of protest and a beacon of hope for what a unified community could look like. Murals in Mexico predate the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16 th century. Much like paintings on cave walls, murals were a communication tool for the illiterate masses. They depicted images of the gods, warriors, animals, changes in seasons, life and death. One of the immediate difficulties the Spanish faced upon their landing in Mexico was the lan...

Shadow Rock United Church of Christ - Phoenix, Az       I recently visited a local Phoenix church as part of a fieldwork exercise for my Anthropology class in which we were tasked with observing church rituals, practices, and symbols. I chose a church nearby and found it more interesting than I bargained for. This particular church, Shadow Rock United Church of Christ, is a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, providing a safe harbor for those in need. With lots of talk by Donald Trump about building a wall along the southern border, a major piece of his presidential bid, its worth noting the dilemma many undocumented immigrants face after being released from ICE custody. Occasionally they're cleared of any wrong doing and need a place to go, lest they be left to wander the streets. Some undocumented immigrants, many I imagine, are being accused of crimes they didn't commit and face extradition before their cases can be heard in a court of law. These immigrants ar...