El Vuh Battles Against Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Joins the Struggle to Maintain Ethnic Studies

This past weekend (Dec. 2-4) El Vuh returned to Tucson, AZ to participate in "Combating Hate, Censorship, and Forbidden Curriculums." This conference/concert was a gathering of community activists, artists, students, and academics from all levels. Organized by University of Arizona professor Dr. Roberto Cintli Rodriguez, the conference and concert were held at the University of Arizona, YWCA and El Rio Community Center. The purpose of this conference was to create a dialogue and highlight the trickle down effect of legislation like SB1070. Laws such as this have not only unfairly targeted and profiled citizens, but have also stirred up negative emotions that proposed more changes, such as recent campaigns by politicians favoring the elimination of ethnic studies in K-12 and institutions of higher education. El Vuh brought the indigenous energy indicative of the moral and cultural elements in danger of being omitted completely in American society. The group reiterated that as long as we continue to have dialogues like this one, that feat will not be easy to accomplish.

Among others, El Vuh was part of a collection of artists that shared the stage at the conference with well known scholars that included Rodolfo Acuña and Cherríe Moraga. Getting a spectrum of perspectives from supporters of ethnic studies and immigrant rights is what made this conference so special. Many times we find that institutions of higher education tend to exclude the issues directly affecting our communities, and we do not always see example of how to make those connections between art and reality. For example, El Vuh emphasized the miseducation of the masses through artificial outlets like media and popular culture in their song "Curandero." The knowledge passed on by our ancestors was always done so through dialogue. The spiritual meanings and metaphors of ancient wisdom that give us direction and purpose can be found in our most cherished places, like our communities. Similarly, Moraga explained the dual nature of Ometeotl and how it relates to the issues of freedom and hate that are currently issues of primary concern. The surplus of hateful sentiments by the powers that be revolving around immigration and ethnic studies creates a dangerous imbalance in our society. As history has shown, when the people come to this realization, they organize and resist these injustices.

Bringing together activists, scholars, and artists like El Vuh sends a powerful message. Dr. Rodriguez made it clear that these are not just issues being analyzed at the university level. Communities overlap across institutions, and maintain the solidarity needed to combat inequality. At the forefront is our youth, which make up a large portion of our future leadership. El Vuh always points to the power of the youth, which also represent an intricate part of their fan base. The youth is so diverse that their inspirations are not always the same. Sometimes their inspiration can be found in a book by Rudolfo Acuña. Other times, in an El Vuh cd. Understanding this concept, activism across different platforms is always needed. When there is an active dialogue within student/community activists and individuals like Cherríe Moraga and El Vuh, you realize that universal knowledge cannot be categorized, nor contained.

PS-Shout out to Taqueria Rodriguez in Eloy, AZ for their hospitality on the journey back to Cali!

-Samuel Robinson