We've all seen the articles and the Facebook proclamations: The Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos has been "Columbused" by white people who just want to have a good time. They costume themselves in iconic sugar skull makeup, thoughtlessly claiming the culture of the oppressed. They drink, they insult the holiday, they take it for our own.
(On the other hand, we've also seen the barrage of flippant lifestyle articles like this Vice piece: How to build an epic cocktail fountain for Day of the Dead. Proof?)
There is no doubt that Tucson's 26-year-old All Souls Procession has parallels to the original Aztec celebration. But is our homegrown holiday different than, say, the San Francsico hipster fest that takes place in the gentrified Mission District every year? To find out what locals actually thought, I reached out to dozens of students, academics, activists, All Souls Procession attendants and more. I asked them what they felt about appropriation, and how a white person can march in a culturally responsible way.
Unsurprisingly, the most passionate responses I recieved were from those who are personally connected to the longtime celebration. So take these answers with a grain of salt. Or if you're hungry, some colorful sugar ...
La Estrella Bakery has three sizes of the pan de muerto. This is the medium.
On the similarities and differences between All Souls Procession and the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos
“... All Souls Procession certainly borrows the aesthetic of Día de los Muertos, at least as it is celebrated in some parts of Mexico, and follows the pattern of having a separate time dedicated to children and another for everyone. ... Other elements of the All Souls Procession are non-traditional to the Mexican holiday. My understanding is that in many parts of Mexico, Día de los Muertos is celebrated quietly with the construction of altars at home or wherever loved ones are buried ... The urn, which is fairly central to the All Souls Procession, is also non-traditional to the Mexican celebration ...”
— Misty Ring-Ramirez, PhD candidate in sociology
“It is easy to see the influence of Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day because of the timing, because of the region, and of course because so many who attend bring that association with them. However there are many other similar traditions that also provide inspiration. That list includes New Orleans Jazz funerals, Irish wakes, Samhain, Ohigan (the equinox tradition), Zhong Yuan Jie (the Hungry Ghost Festival), and Bon (or Obon) in Japan; the Double Yang Festival and Qingming in China; Gai Jatra in Nepal; the Hindu Pitru Paksha, Chuseok in Korea ...”
— Susan K. Tiss, Tucson native and longtime All Souls Procession participant and volunteer
“The procession is a gathering of many cultures, many beliefs and has never held its roots with Día de los Muertos. But naturally, Tucson resides in a largely Latinx population. ... It is normal that a majority of the participants would identify with the culture of the Day of the Dead celebrated in Mexico as part of their Mexican, Catholic, or Aztec roots. And that is okay. “
— Eva Pena, All Souls Procession Urn Spirit Group volunteer
Is All Souls cultural appropriation? (Are white people stealing the idea from Mexican culture)
“It is akin to or the cultural equivalent of gentrification. “
— Roberto Rodríguez, associate professor in the Mexican American and & Raza Studies Department at the University of Arizona
“We live in a city that has deep and intimate roots in Mexico. To me, it feels natural that celebrations in Tucson reflect the diversity of the city itself. ... The spirit of the procession and (most of) those who participate in it, seems very different from wearing a culture as a costume, which in my opinion is unequivocally negative. But, as a non-Hispanic person, it is not my place to define what is and is not offensive cultural appropriation.”
— Misty Ring-Ramirez
Personal relationships with Día de los Muertos
“I am a native Mexican-American Tucsonan and a former Catholic. Our family never celebrated the Day of the Dead. ... Day of the Dead back in my day was something that was celebrated in Southern Mexico, and was considered a pagan ritual. The procession today is an extension of Halloween, with a central theme of skeletons or painted skulls, and very much more paganistic.”
— Alfred Quiroz, painter, professor at the University of Arizona School of Art
"As a Hispanic child growing up, I didn't even understand this. I had never heard of such a celebration in my own culture. It wasn't until a coworker of mine brought in pictures of him participating at an All Souls Procession back in 2003 that I became knowledgeable of the history behind it. Today as a parent, I am able to teach my children the meaning behind Día de los Muertos, and All Souls Procession."
— Michelle Beltran, All Souls Procession attendant
“Honestly, since I'm Mexican but was raised by white Mormon parents, it makes me happy to participate in All Souls. It makes me feel more connected to being Mexican, even though I wasn't raised knowing my traditional background. Anyway, I love that Tucson invites the city to participate, and I feel like the city is pretty respectful of the tradition.”
— Rikenna Lines, Chicago resident traveling to Tucson for the procession
Does All Souls address something that's lacking in mainstream American culture?
“The procession mimics the doom and gloom feeling that is prevalent in this country since the days of 9/11. The cultural obsession with death, vampires and, of course, zombies are all inherent in this celebrative event for those that have departed. It has become a big art party. Which I think is positive.”
— Alfred Quiroz
"So many people have become immune to loss and death. Some do not know how to express loss and grief. My heart opened up after my first experience with All Souls. I have since introduced family and friends to the event and we work together on our displays."
— Anna M. Mendoza, native Tucsonan
“We spend so much time working, taking care of duties, on the go, planning, we can forget to take time to grieve, to express that grief, share it openly and sometimes even just feel the grief. I believe All Souls Procession gives space for all of that. “
— Davina Araiza, All Souls Procession attendant
“I think mainstream American culture represses grief and confrontation of death in a way that is really pathological. People who experience loss (of a loved one, of a dream, of a relationship, of health, etc.) are urged to 'think positive!' and move forward with their life immediately. We don’t know how to grieve as individuals or communities, and we don’t even know how to be around a person who is grieving. I think that is part of the reason so many people are drawn to the procession, and even travel to Tucson to be a part of it. It feels cathartic and healing to publicly share our losses, and to dedicate time to facing and remembering them. It is subversive to acknowledge death in a forum that is neither about horror nor sensationalism.”
— Misty Ring-Ramirez
“It is all too often frowned upon for people to publicly grieve. It is something that society expects to be a private process. ... There are always those conversations when someone has to say, in a whisper, "and then he died," like it's something dirty, something feared. The Procession provides a way for those who need it, to have a creative or artistic release as part of their healing and grieving.”
— Eva Pena
How can a white person celebrate All Souls respectfully?
"Not making it a Halloween celebration. Two different events."
— Terri Lynn-Cross, market analyst with the Arizona Daily Star
“The All Souls Procession could be seen as a giant funeral march, and people should act accordingly to that notion. It isn't a party, it is not Halloween, but it is a celebration and it is easy to confuse the two. Celebrations of spirit are always sacred, so they should be treated with the most respect. A party is where you go to imbibe and socialize.”
— Adam Cooper-Terán, director of the Ancestors Project at All Souls Procession
“Everyone has their own way to celebrate. My father passed away earlier this year, and his birthday is coming up. Being with my family and carrying out our own traditions, and passing those on to my kids is the best way I know to honor his memory.”
— Regina Romero, Tucson City Council member
“The procession is a big party, no two ways about it. ... There are actually no rules in regard as to how someone should celebrate this sensibly. The procession is a new celebration of an event that was actually never celebrated in Tucson, at least not publicly. Some individuals are offended because they feel that the spiritual aspect has been depleted, but a celebration is a celebration!”
— Alfred Quiroz
What about wearing sugar skulls on our faces?
“I would never tell anyone not to wear sugar skull makeup. Every year we have various artists, some of them Hispanic and Latino, who paint the faces of the public who want to look like calaveras. It isn't something to deny the public because we are an inclusive event."
— Adam Cooper-Terán
“I think the most important thing is for people to be aware of the purpose of the procession, and to celebrate in a way that honors that purpose. If wearing sugar skull makeup, rather than being a costume, is a ritual that helps a person reflect on life and death, confront her/his own mortality, or view death with less terror, it seems acceptable to me.”
— Misty Ring-Ramirez
"I believe as long as love and respect are your first thoughts that go into your dress or art, that's all that matters."
— Miguel Beltran, procession attendant
“For some people, wearing a calavera (a.k.a. "sugar skull") makeup may feel sacred. For others perhaps a drink to honor the dead may feel sacred. I think the key word here is respect. To participate in the All Souls Procession responsibly, we all need to respect each other and hold the space for each other to practice what we fell is right and sacred for us.”
— Susan K. Tiss
“If someone wants to color their face in the likeness of a Catrina skull, that is fabulous. But don't do so without regard for that practice as a long tradition with deep roots in Mexico. But, does that mean that everyone at the Procession is attempting to be insulting to Mexican culture? Absolutely not. So I believe there has to be a mutual respect from everyone, those that hold that tradition as sacred, and those who do not. Those who do, must understand that someone in Catrina/Calavera makeup does not automatically mean appropriation. And those who want to use that representation as part of their way of honoring their grief, should make sure they know the history and roots of where that imagery comes from and what it stands for.”
— Eva Pena
Is it acceptable to drink?
“… I think the key is to respect other people’s safety and right to participate in a meaningful way. Any behavior that is obnoxious, dangerous, or crude can ruin an important experience for others — especially children and families with children — and is irresponsible.”
— Misty Ring-Ramirez
"I don't mind those who indulge in adult beverages or celebrate how they see fit. I do think that if you choose to celebrate by drinking alcohol, just be mindful of your limits and stay respectful."
— Michelle Beltran
Does All Souls have the power to unite the community, rather than divide it?
“It creates a spectacle ... with drunks littering the route all along the way.”
— Roberto Rodriguez
“The procession is a unifying element for the city. Hundreds of individuals dressed in black donning face-paint show up from the youngest to the oldest for the procession of the celebration of the dearly departed. It is also a good place to take visiting relatives and tourists.”
— Alfred Quiroz
“Whether you're more solemn, somber, and stately affair, or rollicking jazz line, spectral Highland pipes or frenetic samba, ghost bikes or hungry late-night food-seekers lamenting the loss of Grill. Whether you walk for family or friends, or strangers, or cause. Whether you carry a photo, a uniform, a flower, a light, a sign, or a ribbon: The procession has room for you, welcomes you and encourages you to bring your customs, share your heritage and traditions, seek solace, be present, create, invent, treat others with kindness, and contribute to the dynamic collective atmosphere. And this, is why we walk.”
— Nick Tomazic, All Souls Procession urn attendant, volunteer
