De Colores
By Mary Dispenza
A photo tells a thousand stories and evokes memories. I paint and photograph subjects that matter to me. The people of Mexico and Hispanic descent matter to me. I spent time serving and caring for children and teaching art in an orphanage in Mexico called Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos y Hermanas. That experience, so different from my white self, privilege, and culture opened my eyes and heart. We are connected. We want the same things – peace, love, justice, equality and a better life and environment for ourselves and our children. That is why so many immigrants seek homes in America. At our best, that is who we are, and what we give. Recently we have heard and read, “Our borders are closed.” A very controversial topic, albeit. Nevertheless, the US has a total of 60.6 million Latinos (Latinx) as stated in 2016 Pew Research findings. Many Latinx are living and working, with below average salaries, no health benefits, no childcare, poor housing options, inequality, and discrimination, yet they choose to be our neighbors, our laborers, our friends. Truth is, we, as a country would be lost without their contribution. The subject in my photo attests to the determination to forge ahead despite the many hurdles and challenges. I see this in the subject’s serious closed, tight lips and his dark eyes and piercing firm gaze forward. There is no smile, rather strength in his demeanor and power in the magnificent color and jewels radiating. Maybe he is thinking, “This life, this struggle, this death is worth the sacrifices and the hope for more abundance, resurrection, equality, and love.” I hope so.
MARY DISPENZA is a writer, speaker, artist, National Distinguished Principal, and a former Catholic nun. She is an activist for LGBTQIA equal rights and for the protection of children. Mary is the Puget Sound Seattle leader for SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (and nuns). Mary was raped by the parish priest at age seven and abused by a nun at age 18. Mary has always chosen art as a path to healing – then and now. The difference now is that her art is not so dark with the absence of color as her earlier work depicting her abuse. It has moved to vibrant colors found in nature and moved outward to give words to current issues weighing heavily on her heart and soul. Mary is the author of the award-winning memoir, SPLIT: A Child, A Priest, and the Catholic Church. Mary has been featured on KUOW, Public Radio, and KOMO and KING TV in Seattle. Mary’s articles and opinion pieces have appeared in CNN Opinion, The Seattle Times and The Los Angeles Times. Mary lives with her spouse in Washington State.
Contact information: mcdispenza@comcast.net