America Tropical.

Born in Camargo, Chihuahua, in 1896, he lived through the Mexican Revolution, the Cristero War, and the birth of modern Mexico, choosing the difficult path of Humanism in service of the people.

Because of his ideology, he faced persecution and was forced into exile, where he continued his prolific artistic work. Through his art, he expressed his Mexican identity and pride in his heritage.

During his time in the United States, he dedicated himself to teaching and to creating art, producing three significant works. Among them, the most important was América Tropical. Because of the strong political criticism of imperialism and the exploitation of Indigenous peoples depicted in the mural, it became a victim of censorship: the artwork was literally erased and covered with white paint.

As always happens, the truth eventually comes to light. Beginning in 2012, a movement emerged to preserve and restore this culturally significant work. A work that represents so much of our history.

Projects like Sana Sana remind us of the importance of reclaiming and preserving our history and collective memory, which offer us so much pride as a people and as the migrant communities we are.

This is why I want to remember the great mural created by the universally renowned Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1932, right in the heart of California.

América Tropical is an outdoor mural located on the second floor of the Italian Hall on Olvera Street, in the historic district of the Pueblo of Los Angeles.

This controversial 24-by-5-meter work carries a powerful symbolic weight, reflecting the historical relationship between the United States and Latin America. Without a doubt, it is a unique and significant work that represents our culture through the vision of one of the great visual artists—and a proudly Mexican artist.

The purpose of sharing this history is not only to foster our Hispanic pride, but also to draw attention to injustice and remind us of the importance of remaining united as a people.

Long live Chicano art!