Live Post 2, Grace Burchett

During the panel, the discussion led by Ofelia and Rosanna Esparza and Francisca was really great to listen to. I thought it was very cool how Francisca started her part of the panel by recognizing how connected she felt to Ofelia and Rosanna despite the digital aspect fo this conference, which I think pays tribute to the unifying aspect of altars. In addition, I really enjoyed hearing how they connected altars to both remembrance and future action. Altars start a conversation, which is the root fo future activism. I also really appreciated when Ofelia Esparza talked about how she set up a table with placemats and settings for migrants and people who are crossing the border. Francisca also had a really beautiful quote that I wanted to include. She said that altars and other memorial practices such as the table setting are "not just about the sadness of dying, but about the joy of living". I came away from this conversation with the understanding that altars are not only about reflection, but bringing that reflection into current and future conversations.