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Felicia 'Fe' Montes

Xicana Multimedia Artist/Educator/Femcee/Organizer

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L.A Times “Calendar” Section of “Love In A Cemetery” Exhibit (2010)

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Love In A Cemetery LA Times Article

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There are many years of prayers, lessons, challenges, tears, work, sweat, healings, circles, laughs, and love within this skin, within this body, mind, spirit and representing generations of my ancestors blood, sweat, tears as well as gifts, dreams, and prayers. . I stand strong and walk in beauty as a mujer in all my manifestations as mujer de maiz, medicina, canto, baile, books, plants, musica, palabra, party y voz. I am me and no one can take that from me. I don’t fit into your box or expectation of any of what a mujer in any of those areas is- or even that a mujer should be there. These days even jacked, attacked or talked about for manifesting my/our dreams. Let us live! Let us love! Do you and find your path. . This road is not for everyone... it is a calling and sometimes can feel like a curse— but I know it’s a blessing so I pray for protection, prayers and blessings for me and each and everyone of you and all my circles who are in it with us. Not to criticize or copy us, but to legit put down the years of fears, tears and love up on each other and our peers. In this time of change — we need each other. We need real ones. Thank you to all who have been supportive of my/our work. I so appreciate you!

OUR OTRX GRITO (c) 2010. honoring lxs de abajo on the commemoration of the bicentenario of Mexican independence and centenario of the Mexican revolution. #memories #9yearsago #elgrito #performanceart #xicanics Done in solidarity with those struck down by police, ICE, paramilitary and war all over the world but especially in Anahuac (nuestra americas) and for all those luchando for "a world where many worlds fit(Z)." Zapata Vive, La Lucha Sigue! The indigenous traditional clothing was used in respect for our/these communities and to bring forth the discussion of how Mexico uses Indigenous cultures for tourism and beauty but then turns their back to them for basic human rights including food & education. The images are meant to invoke questions and discussion around culture, politics, community, art and activism. My raices are from Chihuahua..the raramuri, commonly known as the tarahumara indigenous peoples...and that is the clothing I wore. Check out the article written by JOHN ROSS about the celebrations. "Mexico's Buy-centennial Grito" and the quote below with some harsh facts. http://theragblog.blogspot.com/…/john-ross-mexicos-buy-cent… "Mexico has budgeted 3 billion pesos for the nation's birthday fete but costs will surely exceed that modest allocation. In a country where 70% of the population lives in and around the poverty line, 50% of Mexican families cannot afford the basic food basket, and 13 million children go to bed without supper each night, Bicentennial bread and circuses will not staunch the hunger that stalks the land" This was especially important for me to do, as i was part of a performance protest that was done circa 1998 to speak of Human rights of Indigenous peoples. We reinacted the Massacre of Acteal, Chiapas on the streets in front of the Mexican consulate (some stills are in this photo album). Interestingly enough there was a fresa 'invite only' celebration happening at the consulate the night of this performance (Sept 16, 2010) and we ended up having another drive by audience we weren't expecting. ((Continued in comments))

BACK TO SKOOOL COOL. I’m finishing my 4th week of the semester teaching college Chicana/o/x Latina/o/x classes at a school I grew up at. At a school my parents marched at, advocated at and in a department their peers helped create. I was a preschooler running around this same campus, a high school student screaming at all the college students to walk out of their classes cuz a war had started. . On this land is where I performed poetry with a sequin Virgin de Guadalupe sewn on to my skirt, where I attended classes, my last stop on the bus after 1.5 hour ride from 3rd to 8th grade. It could be said it was one of my 2nd homes - though I did not graduate from here. It is for the last year and especially this semester my 2nd home as I took on teaching 5 classes - prepping, performing, counseling, grading & doing all I can to inspire, educate & create change for these young mainly freshmxn, mainly Raza/latinx/indigenous students. It’s keeping me on my toes and keeping every hour occupied. But, I am so grateful. Grateful for my parents and also the forefathers and foremothers of the movimiento who paved the way for me to be here. . . Here are some pics from my first 5 weeks of Fall semester including fellow lecturers, guests, slides, discussions, food & some selfies of my on point Xicana ProFe stilo & down time cuz well why not. . Also excited cuz I have 2 publications coming out in forthcoming anthologies - 1 featuring my Loteria inspired performance poems and the other written by some of my femntors about my clothing line at www.urbanxic.com. I’ve always been a womxn or many interests and roads. Love how I can bring that carried experience, knowledge and love for my people to the classroom.. Sometimes I feel funny when I think that I'm not working on mis otro's yo's.. or my other projects -- like when I'm not making medicine, sharing workshops, performing floetry (album still hasn’t come out), organizing MdM events or singing songs on the drum, etc...but here, if I do it just right, I could do it all. Here’s to teaching, listening, singing, dancing, eating, cooking, creating, crying & so much more in the classroom. Sending love & blessings to all. Tiahui!

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