Blanca 1996

This print contains a portrait of Blanca Maldonado who is a DACA student (Dreamer). The body of Blanca is from an ad in which a white woman appropriates the fashion of Frida Kahlo. The expression "I will not be assimilated" comes from Star Trek -- an alien species called The Borg part humanoid and part computer, they invade worlds and assimilate the people into their collective thereby erasing all culture and individuality. Right before The Borg destroyed a civilization, they announce their presence by saying "We are the Borg, you will be assimilated". The work is a defiant stance to being made to feel vulnerable because society and oppressive laws dictate who is a person worthy of being counted or not.