In February 2024, I attended the Western States Communication Association Conference in Reno, NV. I had written and submitted a piece to the Communication, Identity, and Difference division entitled “Mixed Race Futurisms: Making Space for Multiplicity in Racial Discourse.” In this piece, I conducted an analysis of speculative art of La Malinche as it related to mixed-race futurisms and my own racial and cultural identity. Using a traveling art exhibit of La Malinche titled “Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche,” I selected three pieces of artwork – Santa Barraza’s La Malinche (1991), Antonio Ruíz’s El sueño de la Malinche (Malinche’s dream) (1939), Robert C. Buitrón, Malinche y Pocahontas Chismeando con PowerBooks (Malinche and Pocahontas gossiping with PowerBooks) (1995) – to ground my phenomenological analysis. Interwoven within the project is a historic survey of mixed race folk and their treatment throughout the U.S. and Mexico, coupled with an analysis of the artwork and their speculative representation of La Malinche as a catalyst for mixed race identities, and reflections of my own lived experiences as a mixed race Mexican American grappling with racial discourses in the U.S. and Mexico. The conference gave me the opportunity to speak on and share my family history and lineage, and the ways in which we have tumultuously navigated mixedness and multicultultuality.
I was humbled by the response to this piece at the conference. The division honored me with the Top Student Paper Award and, when I presented the work at the panel, the validation I received from colleagues and scholars present was beautiful and validating. This was one of the first times that I had conducted “me-search.” Part of the reason I decided to come to graduate school was to engage in self discovery of my mixed-race identity and multicultural upbringing. I used this piece to do just that – think about who I am and how I am becoming her and the extent to which racial discourse as it relates to mixed race individuals in the U.S. and in Mexico impacted my self-concept. I was grateful to receive support from colleagues in the CCDE who looked over my work and guided, counseled, and pushed me. Culminating this piece by presenting at this conference was an excellent reminder of why I value our commitment as academics to deeply reflect on our identities and be able to research oneself in a courageous, gentle, and compassionate way. The rest of the conference consisted of engaging in dynamic dialogue with scholars from different institutions such as Amira de la Garza, author of “The Four Seasons of Ethnography: A Creation-Centered Ontology for Ethnography. Moments of collegiate fellowship such as conversations with Dr. de la Garza who helped me stretch my thinking about methods really make me feel alive and excited to think/do. I felt the fire of my passion for my work stoked and nurtured. I appreciate spaces such as these for providing opportunities to connect and push my thinking in new ways and doing so in community with others.
Attending the Western States Communication Association (WSCA) Convention was an academic milestone that has contributed to my steadfast resolve for pursuing a M.A./Ph.D. in communication. To be clear, I have yet to experience wavering in this regard since I have begun the journey. However, being able to attend WSCA as an invited guest is a privilege I feel is unique to my situation, due to the intentional mentorship that I am receiving from Ralina L. Jospeh, Ph.D. Having a personal invite extended because of the advocacy of someone familiar with my ambitions and areas of interest highlighted the importance of scholarly familiarity, personal connections, and fostering communities of support. The 2024 WSCA was held in Reno, Nevada with the theme of “Possibilities”.
This was the 94th WSCA convention and was the first conference I attended at this stage of my academic career. The benefits of attending a conference early in the matriculation process are manyfold. From my perspective it includes, being introduced to scholars new to you, hearing about various scholarship, understanding the relevant topics within the field, exposure to different appointments for organizations, and establishing connections that can bloom into opportunities and develop into community. For some, having a firm grasp on their area of study could be requisite for truly enjoying the bustle and engagement that comes from a conference experience. I can envision some personalities being overwhelmed or feeling misplaced from convention participation so early on in their academic journey. However, with the proper contextual setting of the space provided by a senior scholar, and attending the conference alongside a cohort of familiar peers and professors, I believe would make for a positive experience that would impact budding scholarship in the positive.
One heartening thing I overheard at the conclusion of my time in participation with WSCA came from an unknown professor and convention organizer. She said, “It is nice being around people that understand what I do. You don’t have to explain to explain what communication scholarship is. ”
1st Conference
Understanding why others go
Mentorship
- Black
- Academic
Peer Connection
- Internal
- External
Thank you’s, and the Center for Communication Equity and Difference (CCDE), at the University of Washington (UW).
