AbstractPoets depict people who had ardently tragic inner emotional responses and feelings that awoke memories of their past. There were indications that their anguish was profound. Poems explored their characters' ephemeral lives and emotional trauma. Both poems in Nan Pix Pix and Melancholy contained hidden meanings that this paper analyzed as they interpreted traumatic experiences and life's difficulties. In Nan Pix, Pix portrayed Guatemala as lively, bringing joy and vitality to its residents; however, Guatemalans were killed by soldiers. Survivors of the Guatemalan war continued to suffer, thereby their ordeal. Melancholy depicted Ruben Dario's struggle to cope with his life and adversity. His life was plunged into darkness because his dream was a curse that left him miserable and hopeless. These poems reflected the pain and suffering that characters endured throughout their journey.
AbstractNature is important to Indigenous Mayan people for the grounding, healing, and memory that can be found. In this essay, I examine symbols and imagery of nature through Indigenous perspective and memory. In What the World Used to Be Like, a short story translated by an Indigenous Ch’orti Mayan author who features the sea as home. For Indigenous Ch’orti Mayans this story is an amplified version of their brutal history during colonization, their perspective of events has been remembered by nature. While in Humberto Ak’abal’s, At the Side of the Road the symbolism of water is interpreted to represent the flow of the way things are. Nature themes are meaningful to Indigenous perspective and memory as supported in this essay.
Artist StatementThis is a new love story set in the 1970s. When disco was coming into the scene, a revolution was in the air, and love was just a glance away. Times were changing and people were leaving El Salvador in hopes of a better life. For young Salvador, it was to be with his love and start his life. This story is the first part of the whole story, the part where we meet Salvador and Carmen and their days in El Salvador. Most never know true love, but when it does happen, it’s something to fight for.
Artist StatementMany people underestimate the struggles first-generation college students face, and as a Central American woman who is conquering academia, I can say that there are many people who pray for my downfall. But, through writing and freedom of expression, I am able to have the outlet I need to create pieces of poetry that Central American women (or anyone that appreciates poetry) can connect with and feel at ease with because someone else in this universe has felt what they have felt in some way, shape, or form. I want my writing to be an outlet for myself, but also for the reader, these pieces were more intimate and private in comparison to the work I did back in 2019, but I have grown into the version of myself that knows my ancestors would be proud if I continue to create and conquer the world one piece at a time.
Artist statementAs far as I can remember, the arts have always been an important part of my life. It was most present during my high school years when I got involved in my school’s choir group and where I took classes that grew my interest in the work of literature. I’ve read many works of various Central American poets after taking a few CATS courses and was inspired by their work in displaying the beauty of the culture and the cultural issues they include to spread awareness. My work consists of feelings, emotions, and thoughts that I experience throughout my life and within my culture which I hope is relatable to those who read or see it. Although poetry and painting started as a hobby, experiences in my life and the knowledge I continue to grasp inspired me to create an outlet for myself to share not only my own experiences but also bring awareness to issues that are important.
Artist statementThe poems “Arriving” and “First Day of School” were written to reflect the perspective of a Central American child during a time of change due to immigration to the United States of America. My inspiration to write derives from personal moments in my life that seem to have a recurring theme connecting me back to the memories I have of these life-defining moments. These poems are meant to showcase my confessional artistic style and my experience as a Salvadoran-born, US citizen, and the ways in which my life was influenced because of this cultural change.
ABSTRACTThe great migration of the 1980s saw the forced movement of Central Americans into neighboring Central American countries, Mexico, the USA, and Canada. In accepting their journey northward, they become stripped of their identity only to be seen as exploitive tools for wealth for those in power. My paper is influenced and builds upon the works of Susan B. Coutin, Michele Moran Taylor and Cecilia Menjivar, and J. Thomas Ordonez. My paper argues that the commodification of the Central American migrant has placed them in a space of limbo in which they are never certain whether they will reach their destination of fully arriving.
AbstractThe end of the Anthropocene has occurred at various moments throughout history. Theorists argue that the Anthropocene, or the human era, will end due to our selfish and extractive processes on the earth. However, others argue that this discussion of the Anthropocene universalizes the human experience by erasing the effects of racism and colonialism by only focusing on environmentalism will be incorporating the theoretical works of Rosi Braidotti, Giorgio Agamben, and Kathryn Yusoffin describing the creation of the Inhuman. In this essay, I argue that "Chaos," a Fable by Rodrigo Rey Rosa, illustrates how bio-politics, geo-politics, and necro-politics led to the creation and commodification of the Inhuman.
AbstractPoetry has been for years a fundamental element in which many people express their feelings towards a person, place, or object. The authors of each poem usually express their feelings in a few or many stanzas based mostly on personal experiences such as loving, sad, or melancholic. In this case, Dalton in which he speaks specifically of the injustice that is experienced in El Salvador and sadness or disappointment in a country where the population is affected by corruption. In both poems, we can understand how the "country or the homeland" is being controlled by corruption because El Salvador appeared blurred since the politicians betrayed the spilled blood of their people.
AbstractThe story "Muneca Rota" by Nicaraguan author, Maria Del Carmen Perez invites readers to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. The main focus is rejecting the grand narratives of humanism and opening up possibilities of being other. A solution she proposes is to think beyond humanism, imagine other possibilities, and explore different temporalities. The style of this piece is written artistically, requiring readers to use their imagination and critical thinking as they engage with the metaphors in the text. The main character, who is also the narrator, shares with her sister her desires, dreams, and thoughts as stories filled with metaphors. With each dream the character describes, more emphasis is placed on moving and becoming, that is in transformative abilities of motion. This literature is written to bewilder the reader specifically, to alter their thinking into something deemed impossible, inhuman, and/or nomadic. Many would say bizarre and be quick to construct strict categorization of an individual. Others would say suicide and would be missing all the metaphorical content. This limits the ability to think beyond humanism, the species, and be able to imagine becoming others. She can explore nonhuman time and space. I will explore the ideas of different temporalities, being other, being nomad, and the posthuman as concepts that may not be achievable within the liberal and colonial thought processes. Can humans construct original thoughts and ideas or are they truly stuck in a colonial realm of reasoning?
AbstractExploring alternate temporalities through storytelling, encourages audiences to imagine being a different version of themselves. This essay examines themes of surrealism and alternate temporalities to understand perspectives of optimism and self autonomy. Janel Pineda’s poem In Another Life, has imagery that supports her experience of living in a version of El Salvador where violence and war did not change the course of life. Along with Jacinta Escudos’ I, Crocodile, she finds empowerment in her shapeshifting abilities while other women choose to undergo a ritual that will forever alter them. I choose these poems to support the perspective of living in an alternate reality while exploring themes of surrealism.
Artist StatementAs far as I can remember, the arts have always been an important part of my life. It was most present during my high school years when I got involved in my school’s choir group and where I took classes that grew my interest in the work of literature. I’ve read many works of various Central American poets after taking a few CAS courses and was inspired by their work in displaying the beauty of the culture and the cultural issues they include to spread awareness. My work consists of feelings ,emotions, and thoughts that I experience throughout my life and within my culture in which I hope is relatable to those who read or see it. Although poetry and painting started as a hobby, experiences in my life and the knowledge I continue to grasp inspired me to create an outlet for myself to share not only my own experiences, but also bring awareness to issues that are important.
AbstractI will be using the theories of Kathryn Yusoff, Deleuze and Guattari, Rosi Braidotti, Beatriz Cortez, and Emanuele Coccia to analyze what a garden is and can be, the strength and resiliency of plants, and the war that is taking place between plants and humans. What will the planet be like after the end of the Anthropocene? The Mayans were master builders and King Pakal was responsible for bringing water to his lands allowing for the development of a thriving population, after some time land clearing and extreme drought forced the Maya to abandon the cities which once thrived, allowing for the plants to reclaim what was once theirs. Community gardens are revolutionary acts allowing for one to battle capitalism and establish community and growth with a different model that directly challenges capitalist systems meant to only extract. After the end of the Anthropocene the plants will once again take over the planet and the time of the Planthropocene will begin.
ARTIST STATEMENTI made this art piece because I knew Nayib Bukele would get more power. Whether for the sake of the poster or a feeling of pessimism regarding the future, I have never heard of a dictator being stopped in his tracks by his people. I wanted to know what might or will happen if he stays in office, becoming a dictator. The second and main reason was that he looked like Fred Waterford from the Handmaid's Tale. While unimpressive, it made me want to say that this guy is clearly evil, and that drove me to illustrate my point by creating this piece as a warning that this guy is up to no good. I chose the magazine theme to detail the difference between the now and a possible future. I had decided to make the first magazine torn in half as opposed to simply having a clean-cut because I wanted it to resemble as it were a mask being torn off of either the future or the person who Nayib Bukele is. The history repeats title is referring to what I said before of a populist leader rising only to become a dictator, as well as referring to El Salvador's past of having dictators. Sinclair Tarbell Steffens is an amateur graphics artist and a person who watches politics closely both at home and abroad. While they are far from being a political or foreign policy expert, they can recognize evil, greed, and corruption very well when they see it, and will call it out using the power of the pen. Artist StatementThe struggles of the women who married young and were brought by their husbands to America. The cleaning ladies I continue to see from Kindergarten to College, the same tired faces but the different struggles they face. To tell the stories of the kids who grew-up speaking their own language called Spanglish and who are now forced to grow-up in a broken system deeming their downfall, our downfall. Her native love for the diversity that Los Angeles illustrates for her the daily binaries between The Rich and The Poor. The Ghetto and The Gated Communities. The Beat-Up Trucks and The Brand-New Mercedes. The Mexican-American community I know have had many more struggles and only few successes, the greatest injustice that continues to go unheard.
AbstractOn the surface, the film El Lugar Más Pequeño directed by Tatiana Huezo tells the story of a small village and what led to it being wiped off the official map of El Salvador by the war's end. But in a deeper sense, the film allows for the telling of a story of a community who through memory and their deep affection for the land has risen, rebuilt, and reinvented themselves and their village through the existence of multiple temporalities.
 Featuring the 2022 cover! It show two blue-green birds on a tree branch against a brown background. The birds help to symbolize hope and enlightenment. Dear Readers, We are pleased to introduce the 2022 issue of La Ceiba: The Undergraduate Journal of the Central American and Transborder Studies Department at California State University, Northridge. This year’s edition includes various original works produced by students studying within the department. Two years into the pandemic, we have witnessed how COVID-19 has ravaged marginalized communities as well as put a spotlight on the many socio-inequalities prevalent within our society. And as we continue to work through the current political climate, we are motivated by our communities' constant drive for change. Yet, we recognize the grief, distress, and anger many are feeling today. As the pandemic continues and daily life shifts back to in-person, we are further inclined in our goal to advocate and show solidarity for those most impacted. For example, the pandemic has affected our communities in several ways, from deepening food insecurity, rising rates of homelessness, and the loss of loved ones. For students, the pandemic has brought on uncertainty and stress. As we are approaching the end of the zoom era, our students are shifting back to in-person learning. Additionally, we would like to take a moment to express our gratitude for the unwavering support from our creative directors, Susana Marcelo and Shahrazad Encinias. Under their guidance this spring semester, we have overcome unforeseen obstacles related to the pandemic and the return to in-person schooling. Furthermore, we’d like to thank our editorial team for their commitment and persistence throughout this entire process - finally, our appreciation for our student contributors for providing us with their works of scholarship. Everyone’s input was truly instrumental. Our goal for this issue is to not only convey the multidimensional experience of Central Americans but also highlight the many perspectives being carried into this new chapter for everyone. About our cover, we use the birds to signal ideas found in this issue of liberation, life, and enlightenment. This collection of work ranges from literature reviews, philosophical analysis, poetry, and art. As things continue to rapidly change, we hope our publication maintains its place as a medium to display the teachings of the department, but most importantly, the growth of its students. On behalf of the editorial team at La Ceiba, we thank you for your support. Sincerely, La Ceiba Editorial Team AbstractWater is understood as a natural occurrence that has no emotion, thought, or life. It is commercialized for human consumption in two ways: drinking water to maintain bodily functions and agricultural growth for nourishment. This paper discusses the importance water had on Mesoamerican Mayans' religious, political and economic, and hydraulic infrastructural systems. I will be examining how Mayan Quiche beliefs valued water as an animate object manifested with deities for worshippers to entice them for rainfall through water rituals. This ventures into how rituals and controlling water were critical for the attainment of political power and social status in Mesoamerica.
AbstractThe ancient Mayan community has long been a fascination for many scholars throughout the world. The nature and symbolism of warfare are aspects of the Mayan community that have been considered in parts of studies but have not been collectively looked at or focused on for interpretation. In this essay, I have gathered information from various sources that discuss different facets of warfare within the Late Classic to Post-Classic Mayan community. I specifically will be analyzing what weapons were used by the Mayan communities at the time, how the warfare took place, and the symbolism that is held in their communities.
AbstractAmong the Central American diaspora, there tends to be a single narrative that Central Americans are of the same background and share the same experiences. Oftentimes, there are Central Americans and non-Central Americans who homogenize our identity and experiences, which is a result of the nation state’s mestizaje agenda. The idea that those of Latin American descent are racially mixed (typically with American Indian and European Spanish blood). This erases those who are completely Indigenous, those who are of African descent, those of Asian descent, and those who are mixed with any other combination. As part of a nation-building project, the idea that has been heavily promoted is that we are all mestizx. As a result, Central Americans and other Latinxs have internalized this belief. Black and Indigenous Central Americans are then left excluded from the nation state’s recognition which leads to their invisibility. By Samantha Lomeli AbstractIt was the last Thursday of the month. The day when the non-profit organization, Somos Familia Valle, had their monthly Valley Femmehood program for all women and femmes of color and the immigrant community. This space allows everyone to gather around and empower each other. On August 30th, they invited a keynote speaker, Marie Angel Hernandez, or better known as Ms. Venarsian. She is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, a daughter of farmworkers, and a two-spirit woman of trans experience. This event took place in the heart of The Valley, San Fernando, at Pueblo y Salud from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm. When I saw the flyer for this event on Somos Familia Valle Instagram page, what instantly drew me in was the fact she was a woman of trans experience from Honduras. Latinx spaces on the west coast tend to be Mexican-centered, but finally, this was an opportunity for me to hear the experiences and stories of a Central American woman from the QTPOC community. By Samantha Lomeli AbstractPeople have been educated to think of events in one chronological order, the past, present, and future, but does the past really not occur again? This essay illustrates how the past, present, and future are coexisting through time. The book Fabula Asiatica by Rodrigo Rey Rosa supports this theory through its story about three foreign students who are trying to save the world, but they must go back to past events to be successful on their mission. It is also further explored through technology, social media, and the Mayan culture.
AbstractBefore migrating to the U.S, Central American immigrants see the United States as an accepting place. But, when they arrive, they face the complete opposite. As discussed in my paper, they encounter issues such as exploitation, language barriers, and not being treated as equals. I also make clear that it is important that all ethnicities and races are recognized so that people do not feel lost with their identity or ashamed of where they came from. Overall, there should not be tension between different ethnicities because at the end of the day most migrants come to the U.S for similar issues. Moreover, many K-12 schools do not teach students about different cultures or histories outside of a U.S. perspective. College, however, such as CSUN, has increasingly become a place where Central American immigrants can find acceptance.
|
