Cabrillo College is hosting the memorial installation Hostile Terrain ’94 which showcases 3,800 handwritten toe tags representing undocumented migrants who died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert between the 1990s and 2023.
Through Dec. 6, the exhibit will be at the Library, Building 1000, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, then at the Watsonville campus in the spring. The exhibit is free.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in Building 400, room 450, the campus will host a talk by Dr. Jason de León, UCLA professor and director of the Undocumented Migration Project which created the exhibit, and author of The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail and Soldiers and Kings, a finalist for the 2024 National Book Awards.
A book signing will follow.
This exhibit has been shown in more than 120 locations across five continents, including many other Hispanic Serving Institutions.
“Hostile Terrain 94 seeks to create a collaborative space of engagement whereby participants can bear witness to the long-standing humanitarian crises at the border while also sharing their stories about how they have been impacted by U.S. border enforcement policies and migration more generally,” said de León.
He said it is especially important to bring this event to Cabrillo College during California Community College’s Undocumented Student Action Week Oct 14-18, which includes a webinar on culturally competent mental health care 9-10 am Thursday Oct 17.
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He hopes it can be a platform for students to voice their concerns while sharing their hopes and dreams for a better future.
“It is truly uplifting being able to learn about the history of these immigrants,” said Adilene Garcia, a second-year Cabrillo student who participated in one of the college’s exhibit creation workshops in Watsonville. “These are stories that have slightly been spoken about or barely brought awareness until action was taken. Being able to be involved in being the unheard voices of these angels is very compelling! They deserve to be recognized in such a cruel world for their hardworking souls with huge life goals ahead of them.”
Dr. Adela Naranjo-Bernabe, Cabrillo College dream resource coordinator, said, “For many in our community, talking about migration and being undocumented is taboo. However, it is lived experience and our students are constantly facing challenges as they navigate school, work, and their personal lives. They have to negotiate their humanity just to survive. Professor De León’s visit uplifts our systemwide effort to bring awareness to supporting undocumented students.”
Tera Martin, Cabrillo College Integrated Learning Center coordinator and event organizer, said, “By engaging with this exhibit and Dr. De León’s talk, we honor the stories and sacrifices embedded within our community.”
TOP PHOTO: Dr. Jason De León