Amie G. sent along a five minute documentary in which a series of artists and entrepreneurs talk about why the Day of the Dead has become so popular in parts of the United States.
While they don’t discuss issues of cultural appropriation (like at Halloween), they have some interesting things to say about why it is so appealing to a broad audience. A professor of Art History, Ray Hernández Durán, for example, traces it to the growing Latino demographic, the way media has changed, and a history of the U.S. being open to cultural influence.
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Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Comments 17
Sartora — November 1, 2012
Where does "cultural influence" stop and "misappropriation" begin?
Vicente Guzman-Orozco — November 1, 2012
I used to be part of a store in Portland, OR that, along with the main Latino arts company, had a huge impact in popularizing the holiday and artwork in that city. In the materials I prepared explaining the idea and history, one of the factors I point out is the therapeutic value to the attached world-view: death simply as a phase of life, ancestral recognition (I hesitate to go as far as "worship") and the celebration of the natural cycle (like all harvest festivities). During our first altar-building festival in the middle of our street, a (presumably white and American) woman walked up and asked what it was all about; after listening to a brief explanation, she set up, on an unobtrusive part of the sidewalk, a beer and a pack of cigarettes in remembrance of her mother who'd died earlier in the year.
For me, the therapy was needed as many of us get to face death more and more frequently at all levels because of cancers, AIDS (esp. for me and other gay men my age and older), random, serial and mass murders, natural disasters - AND their "mediatic" availability (instant reports through TV, internet, family emails, etc.)
I'm glad to say those materials are still being used (I can forward them) and the company has a well-received annual arts festival. The influence is a recognition of Latinos' impact on the zeitgeist and attraction to the related artwork; misappropriation (in my view) only comes into play if the symbols are empty or disrespected.
Jack Bennett — November 1, 2012
This has definitely gotten bigger and bigger in the US. Last year was the first time I saw 'calavera' makeup as a Halloween costume, and lots more people have done it this year. Melting pot FTW, I suppose.
Gary Kavanagh — November 1, 2012
Living in Los Angeles, Dia de Los Muertos has been part of the city for a very long time, and it's fairly common for people, regardless of direct Latino ties, to take part in and appreciate the many Day of the Dead events and alters displayed throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Some may be crossing the line into just appropriation without appreciation for the meaning and context, but it's a fuzzy line here with so many cultural influences in one region. I also find it helpful to remember Los Angeles was first a Spanish colony and spent some time as a city of Mexico following Mexican independence, at least until the US took control of the territory.
Lily Queen — November 1, 2012
Today on the campus where I sometimes teach there was an outreach effort in which the Latino Students Association was showing other students how to set up altars for ofrendas, do the makeup, etc.
Will Shooter — November 2, 2012
I've actually been waiting to see if you post something about Dia de Los Muertos at the moment; this halloween in Australia, Dia de Los Muertos has been the absolute costume theme of choice for people between the ages of 20 and 30. It's been bizarre. EVERYONE has been doing it.