Discussion on the red thread:

• How do you personally relate to the color red?
  What hue of red did you go with? Fiery orange? Deep cinnamon? Think about emotion, identity, memory, culture, confidence, vulnerability, symbolism, or even how you relate to UNM red. There is no right or wrong way to interpret this.

The red that I went with was maroon-looking. I chose this color hue of red because it happens to be the color of my car. I have had a connection with the maroon hue, the color red, for most of my life. In elementary, middle, and high school, the colors have always been maroon. When I got my first car… the color was maroon. This color has deep sentimental value behind it, mostly to me. Red has always been the color of resilience, breakthrough, and the will to overcome. The deep cherry red that UNM offers is just another chapter in my story of resilience and hope. My culture values and appreciates the color red, especially after so many years of being called redskins. It may seem offensive to others, but to me, I take pride in the fact that "Redskins" was the name of not only an NFL team but was also used as a slur in a diminishing way. For some, it may be offensive, but to me, it is the truth. I will continue taking pride in not only my culture but also the resilience that tomorrow will be better.  

I chose to show everyone my car and the emblem of the Redskins on my gas tank. I want others to see that I represent my culture in an easy but meaningful way. Red will always be a bold color; it has so much power and sway about it. It's a color that can be perceived as intense, hot, and dangerous. But this color can also be perceived as strong, resilient, adaptable, and ambitious. I am truly just showing off something that is valuable and means so much to me. I did not really have lots of vision for the fame, lighting, and props to help communicate a message. I did it more so to show that love can also be the color red; so much love is always a blessing.