Yes, make time to see Carlos Almaraz, "Painting With Fire," on Netflix. Born in 1941, he lived fully, precariously, fluidly, preceptively, voraciously up until his passing in 1989. His work always caught my eye, in its motion, luminosity, honesty, freedom, and scale. Many of us knew his work, his LA context, yet the documentary elongates who he was, his New York art period and sexually fluid experiences that art historians/books did not, would not illuminate. "Painting With Fire," captures him, in total which ultimately includes his especially joyful life period with artist and wife Elsa Flores Almaraz and their daughter Maya. Thank you Elsa Flores Almaraz and Richard Montoya for your work and tenacity creating this important, "first voice," cultural documentary. It is much needed, and certainly inspiring, on so many, many levels.—Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, October 7, 2020
Comment on article: "The Layered Deceptions of Jessica Krug" /
Photograph by: Samira Rashid
Article: “The Layered Deceptions of Jessica Krug, The Black Studies Professor Who Hid That She is White.” by Lauren Michele Jackson, published September 12, 2020, The New Yorker
Article Comment By: Lorraine García-Nakata
I've thought about this continued twisted identity appropriation (to acquire even more than her pale privilege already takes). It is ironically the classic mentality of colonial framework she mimics against (supported by her assumption that she is entitled to acquire/take whatever she wants, including other's cultural identity). It is the same concept of Euro "artifact" collectors. They believe cultural items are there for their taking in order to be "properly" discussed/stored/interpreted within a Euro-centric academic cannon (which is limited). Then, they identify as "experts" of that culture. This is a short jump from Jessica’s appropriation of a cultural identity that is not hers. It is twisted on so many levels in its manipulation, "hoarding" and her positioning of self as a "first voice" cultural bearer and expert. That is one thing "white" folks can't automatically have is "first voice" expertise. They don't like that fact (I know that from introducing the concept myself to non "first voice" professionals). Jessica knew that, thus she decided to take assume a cultural identity. She is not a "first voice” Black cultural bearer. Instead, she is another form of "karen," and their "automatic impulse" to maintain place and power...in every setting. Yes, this twisted phenomena is becoming more clear. I'm beginning to think I should draft an essay on this cultural encroachment, thievery, and deception. #GenteScribe #FirstVoice Lorraine García-Nakata, 9-18-2020