From the Editor: Who are our Ancestors?

Abstract

From the Editor: Who are our Ancestors? Elizabeth Coonrod Martínez (bio) It is with great pleasure that we present the first issue of 2013, articles in response to a special theme created by Dr. Peter Casarella, “Cosmic Liturgy: Latina/o Catholicism Today.” Submissions range from research on a Latino-Chicago neighborhood, the diary of an early 20th century immigrant to Chicago, and the continuity of indigenous culture in Mexican-American practices. The articles tackle society and faith, community organizing and perseverance, dance hybridity and cultural history. The tender and evocative creative pieces grapple with faith and memoir. This issue inaugurates a book and film/media review section, with provocative new angles on texts and cinema. The in-depth interview conducted by Peter Casarella with author, and Notre Dame University professor, Timothy Matovina reveals the impact of Latino Catholicism on U.S. society, a theme throughout this collection of articles. During our second year of biannual preparation, we have improved layout and design, and the DePaul University blue will now permanently grace our front and back covers. Diálogo has long been distinguished as one of few academic journals presented in full-color, and for its mission to highlight the works of Latino and Latin American artists. We are grateful for the collaboration on this occasion of two artists: the enchanting examples, including cover image by contemporary El Salvador artist Fernando Llort, and few images by Chicago artist Eric J. García, together with his reflections in narrative on the creation of his exhibit. We encourage reading Thomas Finger’s account (who worked closely with the artist’s daughter, María José), on the background and life of the Salvadoran artist. Fernando Llort’s images explode with vivid colors and the warm feeling of being in the tropical Latin American countryside. Influences of Catholicism, history and indigenous culture weave through works such as “Fragmento de mi país” and “Sol de Esperanza,” and Llort’s “Domingo en La Palma” is a rich, folkloric image of small-town life in harmonious ambiance. Eric García analyzes a space provided him and the works he will hang, providing a unique glimpse into the artistic eye: He takes in all that surrounds an image, and considers the impact of reception. He brings together contemporary and past history, both European and indigenous-origin cultures and their social impact. Just as Puerto Rican-Chicago artist Bibiana Suárez described her artistic goals and types of media for her exhibit highlighted in last year’s 15th anniversary issue of Diálogo, García’s words bring new insights to the artistic process. The present theme continues to our second issue of Fall 2013, in a slightly different manner: most articles will comprise a tribute to the influential, Cuban-born theologian Alejandro García-Rivera, who arrived in the U.S. at age eight. He pursued other careers before serving for many years as a faculty member of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (now merged with Santa Clara University). His impact was strongly felt long before his untimely death two years ago. Contributors will celebrate the way he tackled the mystery of faith, his influence, and legacy. We invite your subscriptions so that you do not miss this rich issue. Throughout the readings of Diálogo 16:1, we hope you find enlightenment, explore new ideas and connections to your own heritage and history, and discover (or re-discover) the intrinsic essence of indigenous cultural heritage in traditions both Catholic and U.S. American—a legacy that has and cannot be erased despite the centuries since European arrival. Each issue of a journal is a magical coming together of the chance encounter of narratives that together take on a personality, a unified voice as contextualized by these articles selected. In the process of receiving submissions and shaping an issue, a certain magic emerges that pulls together new themes. Here it springs from the essence of being. Who are we in the contemporary era? What is meaningful from our roots? Are they mixed with, tainted by, or removed from, histories and experiences? Such questions emerge from both research and creative articles in...