“IT’S A DIFFICULT TOPIC,” says Alicia Romero, Albuquerque Museum head curator and curator of history, of Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery. The traveling exhibition, developed by the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery, in Michigan, opens at the Albuquerque Museum November 7, with more than 150 items from the 19th century to the present that chronicle the Jim Crow era’s legacy of racism and discrimination. The artifacts range from racist caricatures in corporate advertisements to photographs of violence against African Americans and civil rights activists pushing for equality. “The exhibition is talking about a moment in U.S. history that is something we continue to see to this day,” Romero says. Overcoming Hateful Things also invites visitors to take an active role in rethinking their own biases. “I hope people will come with an open mind,” she says. “I expect people will need to visit a couple of times and be ready to confront uncomfortable things people may hold near and dear to them.”
Hate is not behind us. “This is not just a moment in history,” head curator Alicia Romero says, noting that some objects in the exhibition are as recent as the Obama administration. “All of us that view the exhibit—no matter who we are and where we come from—it invites us to think about our own internal biases.”
Stereotypes reinforce hate. “Things like food advertisements and commercial ads make racism seem acceptable,” she says, pointing to promotions for skin-lightening cream that reinforce lighter skin as a beauty ideal. “It becomes normalized that this [other] community is represented as subhuman.”
Hate is not the whole story. The exhibition helps illuminate the work of civil rights activists and others who continue to fight against racism. “Our communities are much more resilient than we think,” says Romero. “This show is about survival.”
At HomeGrown, find local products such as Zia Chile Traders’ Chile Berry Elixir, which goes with everything from cream cheese to pork.
Photograph courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.
Parade through Old Town Plaza during Día de los Muertos.
Photograph courtesy of Old Town Albuquerque.
Living Memory
Old Town Albuquerque takes Día de los Muertos to a new level with 10 days of remembrance and reflection from October 30 to November 8. The celebration peaks on November 1–2 for All Souls’ Day, as Old Town Plaza transforms into Plaza de los Recuerdos. “It’s really cool to watch the community come out and build the ofrendas,” says JJ Mancini, president of the Historic Old Town Association. “In the evening, people are sharing stories about loved ones, and later, hundreds of attendees light candles in memory of their loved ones and we walk around the Plaza.”
Shop artwork made with discarded materials at the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival.
Photograph courtesy of Recycle Santa Fe.
Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival
November 6–8
Taking over the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, this recycled arts festival includes a fashion show, juried exhibits, and an art market.
Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee
November 13–15
Get a jolly jump on holiday shopping at this annual festive market, featuring more than 75 vendors.
Santa Fe Pro Musica Fall Orchestra
November 14–15
Santa Fe Pro Musica performs a program of classic compositions, including works by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Mozart, at the New Mexico Museum of Art, in Santa Fe.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
November 27
An international cast of artists performs the classic Tchaikovsky ballet at Kiva Auditorium, in Albuquerque.
Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Holiday Festival, Albuquerque
November 27–29
Check your list twice before this massive market at Expo New Mexico, in Albuquerque, where artists sell directly to attendees.
New Mexico Artisan Market, Albuquerque
November 27–29
Hotel Albuquerque gets the North Pole treatment during this market packed with locally made artwork, jewelry, fashion, and home goods.
