This project saw me embark on a project close to my heart, one that encapsulates the essence of my childhood city of Santa Ana, and celebrates the vibrant Latino culture that once thrived within its streets. However, as time wore on, relentless waves of gentrification gradually took away from that culture I once knew. Vaqueros, Skateboarding, & Soccer are some of the few things I can still associate with Santa Ana. As someone that calls Santa Ana their home, there is a sense of responsibility that weighs heavy upon my shoulders. It is not a desire but rather a need to preserve the place we all call home. Recent global events have emphasized the insecurity of our rights to exist, reinforcing the importance of protecting our identity in the face of violating forces that seek to strip us of our very roots. They can push us out of our homes and cities, and destroy our culture, but we are here forever, technically.
