Yolanda Lopez challenged the traditional stereotypes of womanhood through her art practice.

“ Chicana ” is defined by Merriam Webster as “an American woman or girl of Mexican descent.” For some, “Chicana/o” merely functions as a neutral label, while for others, the term has political connotations and expresses defiance of the status quo. An important aspect of Chicano history is how an art style transformed into a cultural movement, particularly in the east side of LA. Large, vibrant murals appeared across LA’s art landscape , celebrating Chicano’s indigenous cultural roots and...

While I don't condone tire-slashing or graffitiing cautionary cues like "go home kooks" in an attempt to intimidate fellow surfers , I do understand the mindset behind wanting to preserve a break you've surfed your whole life. Essentially, localism is an effort to establish a sense of social order in the water and protect others from the potential dangers of inexperienced surfers, or "kooks." Although I've had my fair share of negative experiences with localism, with time, I've gained a...