Unveiling of Pedroso Center Mural "Corazón Sin Fronteras" an Empowering, Revolutionary Endeavor

NEIU's newly opened Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs was a buzz on Sept. 16 as students, faculty, and family members gradually crowded the room for the unveiling of the mural "Corazón Sin Fronteras" ("Heart Without Borders"), by artist Victor M. Montañez.

Food and live music were provided as Rooftop, a band from the community, played in the Pedroso Center while spectators gathered and waited for the event to begin. Miguel Cambray, Director of the Latino Resource Center, welcomed everyone and introduced the event's speakers, including Dean Murrell Duster and Dr. Angelina Pedroso. Cambray also presented Dr. Daniel Lopez and Xavier Burgos with special editions of the mural to thank them for their work in helping the Pedroso Center become a reality.

A self-proclaimed "anti-establishment" artist, Montañez took the floor and explained why the mural was essential due to the unyielding efforts of the students who fought for the Pedroso Center.

"Art is an intelligence. No education is complete without an artistic component," said Montañez. "I'm an artist because it is one of the most revolutionary acts to carry out. We need to shake up the system and transform it." This revolutionary ideal of Montañez was the basis for the message of the mural. "The painting gives credit to all revolutions that have taken place in the years before us," he said. "There's a sun and a moon because it's natural to be a revolutionary, just like it's natural for there to be night and day or to be young and old. We need to rethink everything, to find alternatives to things like guns because any thug can pick one up—and that's not revolutionary."

Montañez then passed around a series of 20 interactive works that he also created for the Pedroso Center. Some of the students who contributed in designing the mural by pitching ideas to Montañez, along with professor Jaime Mendoza, helped him remove the blue sheet as cameras flashed and applause rang throughout the room. Among those that unveiled the mural were Stephanie Gomez, of Latinas in Power, Nito Morales, of Que Ondee Sola (QOS) and Jessie Fuentes, of Union for Puerto Rican Students (UPRS).

After the unveiling, the students who had a part in the Pedroso Center's development sat by the mural and reflected on the work they put in just months before.

"To know that I can come here and be a part of history makes me feel complete," said Fuentes. "I can go through my day feeling like I've done something right, like I'm a revolutionary."

Burgos, editor-in-chief of QOS and president of UPRS, felt just as accomplished. "It was a continuous struggle to get a Latino cultural center at NEIU but with community involvement of influential leaders from different organizations, elected officials and alumni, we were able to organize and mobilize stakeholders," said Burgos. "We were told that there was no room for a center but we knew it was possible. Even when faced with cynicism, the act of struggle can still give you a sense of beauty and imagination."

Like his fellow comrades, Morales has high hopes for what the Pedroso Center could be for students.

"Students are able to come to a home away from home where they can study, learn from each other, engage them- selves and build a better world for other Latino students in this Hispanic-serving institution," said Morales.

For Gomez, being a part of the physical process of designing the mural stood out the most.

"I thought Victor was going to draw it out first, and then we would paint it," said Gomez, "but when he said, ‘Grab this primer and throw it on the board,' I was taken aback—I was not expecting that! But painting and pulling apart canvases can make you get in touch with your senses."

After her experience in fighting for the Pedroso Center, Gomez has a piece of advice for any student who has a similar dream in mind, but might be daunted by the idea of rejection.

"People are always going to say no but that just gives you the opportunity to come up with different strategies," she said. "Organize with people who have collective ideas because, in the end, we as students have the power—we run this university. This is here for us but many times we forget that."

The mural now hangs on the wall of the Pedroso Center for all to see as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

"Looking around the room now and seeing familiar faces helps me solidify the belief that I can transform the world," said Burgos.