Comments on: LONGFELLOW PTA INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF LATIN AMERICA’S MOST BELOVED HOLIDAYS: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS/DAY OF THE DEAD http://www.dayofthedeadblog.com/2007/09/27/dayofthedeadcelebrationinsandiego/ a Celebration of Life. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:25:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Tony http://www.dayofthedeadblog.com/2007/09/27/dayofthedeadcelebrationinsandiego/#comment-341 Tony Sun, 04 Nov 2007 01:02:00 +0000 http://www.dayofthedeadblog.com/2007/09/27/dayofthedeadcelebrationinsandiego/#comment-341 November 3, 2007 I was a participant in the annual "Day of the Dead" procession in the Mission on Friday night. It was a beautiful and moving event. As I was going home, I saw two people with signs that read: "DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IS NOT HALLOWEEN." "STOP MOCKING OUR TRADITIONS." I was surprised that someone felt we were stealing their customs. I thought about how many different ethnicities participate in the Chinese New Year's Parade. Then I watched as one sign was turned over, and it read: "CULTURE VULTURES & HIPSTERS OUT OF THE MISSION." It became obvious the sign-holders felt their district was being invaded by others and maybe they felt threatened. I was raised in an Italian/Polish Catholic family. Death was never talked about. Once a person "went to God" we never spoke of them again. Three of my closest friends died horribly from AIDS in the 1980's. I had no way to cope with that - their bodies were jetted away to their graves. About 6 years ago I attended my first Dia de los Muertos, and I made an altar for them. I did my research, so my "ofrenda" would be respectful of the cultural norms. I can understand to a point, the sign-makers. I too saw the "fashionistas" - those who dress up in fancy clothes and seem to model their skeletal costumes. I also sense more of a "Burning Man" presence. But this is San Francisco... everything that happens here becomes larger than the original. How many thousands of Spanish, Italian, heterosexuals, or other people go to the Gay/ Lesbian Pride Parade? The beauty of this City is the way we learn from each other. Done with respect, how can that be faulted? Tony November 3, 2007
I was a participant in the annual “Day of the Dead” procession in the Mission on Friday night. It was a beautiful and moving event.
As I was going home, I saw two people with signs that read:
“DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IS NOT HALLOWEEN.”
“STOP MOCKING OUR TRADITIONS.”
I was surprised that someone felt we were stealing their customs. I thought about how many different ethnicities participate in the Chinese New Year’s Parade. Then I watched as one sign was turned over, and it read:
“CULTURE VULTURES & HIPSTERS OUT OF THE MISSION.”
It became obvious the sign-holders felt their district was being invaded by others and maybe they felt threatened.
I was raised in an Italian/Polish Catholic family. Death was never talked about. Once a person “went to God” we never spoke of them again.
Three of my closest friends died horribly from AIDS in the 1980’s. I had no way to cope with that - their bodies were jetted away to their graves. About 6 years ago I attended my first Dia de los Muertos, and I made an altar for them. I did my research, so my “ofrenda” would be respectful of the cultural norms.
I can understand to a point, the sign-makers. I too saw the “fashionistas” - those who dress up in fancy clothes and seem to model their skeletal costumes. I also sense more of a “Burning Man” presence.
But this is San Francisco… everything that happens here becomes larger than the original. How many thousands of Spanish, Italian, heterosexuals, or other people go to the Gay/ Lesbian Pride Parade?
The beauty of this City is the way we learn from each other. Done with respect, how can that be faulted?

Tony

]]> By: Elaine Davis http://www.dayofthedeadblog.com/2007/09/27/dayofthedeadcelebrationinsandiego/#comment-286 Elaine Davis Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:26:34 +0000 http://www.dayofthedeadblog.com/2007/09/27/dayofthedeadcelebrationinsandiego/#comment-286 I wish I could attend your celebration. I am a HS Spanish teacher in NJ. Was in San Diego for the Spanish teachers convention in July. Bought some Day of the Dead materials at the Bazar del Mundo and am trying to get more from Mexico without much luck. Wishing you success on your day of the Dead celebration. Elaine Davis davise@madisonpublicschools.org I wish I could attend your celebration. I am a HS Spanish teacher in NJ. Was in San Diego for the Spanish teachers convention in July. Bought some Day of the Dead materials at the Bazar del Mundo and am trying to get more from Mexico without much luck. Wishing you success on your day of the Dead celebration.

Elaine Davis
davise@madisonpublicschools.org

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