Story Behind the Altar: This year for my altar I decided to honor Ismael Lopez, a 41 year-old undocumented immigrant who was wrongfully killed. On July 24, 2017 the Miss Police in Southaven mistakenly knocked on Lopez’s mobile home looking for a domestic violence suspect, as soon as Lopez opened the door police officers opened fire and by the time paramedics arrived Ismael Lopez had already passed away due to a gunshot to his head. Lopez was an auto-mechanic known for providing free services to his surrounding neighbors and helping troubled adolescents. Lopez’s widow filed for a $20 million civil rights lawsuit however attorneys from Southaven tried to dismiss the charges by claiming that because Lopez was an undocumented immigrant he was not protected by the U.S. constitution. As I stated before, my altar was done in a way to honor and remember undocumented folks who’s lives have been wrongfully taken away. I think Ismael’s story perfectly embodies the harsh reality of the undocmented community in the United States. Though many efforts are being made towards more equity, there are still many places in which undocumented folks are still poorly treated and viewed as not belonging. Significance: Building this altar was very special to me; throughout the entire time, I just had in mind all the terrible accidents, like Ismael’s, that I’ve read about. Though Ismael Lopez was not a family member of mine, he was still a father, husband, and son who lived very similar lives as my family. As I was placing some ofrendas I continuously listened to songs by los Tigres del Norte such as Jaula de oro, and Tres Veces Mojado whose lyrics really resonate with all undocmunted folks. I also listened to Oaxaca’s himno estatal called Dios Nunca Muere, which reminded me of my own motherland which to this day I still hope to go back to. Personal Touches: Throughout the building process my creativity was at an all time high, since I was trying to work with a limited amount of supplies. For example, I used one of my traditional Oaxacan shirts as a mantel. I also added some papel picado which I made myself, and a sugar skull done during one of our class workshops. Ismael’s picture was in the center to signify the entire community of undocumented folks who have passed under unfair cirumstances. I placed ofrendas such as bananas, oranges, apples, and a coke. Since I was not able to buy flor de cempasúchil I tried to incorporate as much orange as possible as a representation of the cempasúchil. I also added fairy lights since I am not allowed to turn on candles in the place where I currently live.

Final Thoughts: As I mentioned before I personally really enjoyed creating this altar more than an assignment; it felt as a way in which I was able to release many feelings that I had been holding in for a while. Building this altar felt very natural to me and in the end gave me a lot of peace, though I was not able to build a bigger or more fancy altar; I still really loved the way mine turned out since for me it truly came from the heart.