Brainstorm Week 7: Grace Grotz

In Julio Salgado’s interview, “Layers of Humanity”, Salgado explained how he was not inspired by art until he saw himself reflected in the art of Emory Douglas. Salgado notes, “Those empowering images, images that were not seen, I really admired them” (304). After being exposed to art that celebrated people and ideas that were not present in the mainstream, Salgado wanted to create posters and videos that gave DREAMers and undocuqueer activists something to connect to. In the “UndocuQueer Movement” Equality Archive, Salgado describes the impact of his art, explaining, “I don’t have the money to go bail people out. I don’t have the money to say, ‘hey, I wanna hire an attorney for you.’ But you know, through this, through media, through these videos, we are…showing the frustrations that we have as undocumented folks…in the U.S….and the people are getting that” (3). By making his art available through social media, Julio Salgado can spread his message to undocumented and queer people everywhere, letting them know they are not alone in their fight. 

Salgado’s use of social media is similar to the band Girl in a Coma’s use of new technologies to inspire fans and spread messages of hope. “Girl in a Coma Tweets Chicanafuturism” describes how the band’s utilization of Twitter demonstrates how Chicanafuturism “reframes the past through new communication technologies” while “potentials of new presents and futures are born” (162). By sharing art that reimagines the long-standing stereotypes of underrepresented communities on global platforms, Salgado and Girl in a Coma are aiming for greater acceptance in the future. This step towards acceptance and understanding counteracts the social death that results from exclusion. When artivists practice the resilience practice of sharing their message, no matter the backlash, they are giving a voice to those on the outside. When those on the outside see they are not alone, they can be inspired to make change.