​Deniz LopezDeniz 'dee!colonize' Lopez is Xicana artist & activist who has held position or collaborated with such organizations as MECHA, The Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, The Word Around Town Poetry Tour, Creative Women Unite, and Voices Breaking Boundaries to bring a message of revolution, self - sustainability, & community consciousness to the forefront. The themes of her artistry include the abolition of the death penalty, an end to police brutality, empowerment of women, immigration rights, black/brown unity, Indigenous culture & history, and self-mastery. Deniz has begun to use her extensive knowledge of community organization, administration, communication, and mentoring to become a creative consultant to many organizations and artists to help them refine their arts. At present, she is a founding member & owner of All Real Radio LLC, where the mission is to make the world better by creating a portal to great music and relevant social commentary, and by facilitating a space for community events & awareness.
All Social Media: @deecolonize
Victoria.
Put you to my lips. Carry me back to turkey-torta heaven en Mexico City where down the street we could hear a band of blind musicians giving it their all to a huge crowd that gathered. Danza& belly aches soothed with you. My first time holding you. Tasting you.
Victoria.
I come back to you everytime I eat at the Mariscos place off Wayside Dr. by that Golf Course that is totally in the wrong neighborhood but has been part of that neighborhood since before me, I think? Drum beats.
Victoria.
Where I passed through on trips to see family across the white man's border to Monterrey.Would get excited to see the sign. Over time became the place where they forgot about those 19 Mexicanos in the back of a truck and my heart tugs mad hard when I think about how all the ones that lost their lives were men. Our hombres.
And I get reminded of sweat lodges where I got to hold hands with my grandma and saw symbols through darkness, sweat, tears-that I noticed eventually were mine-and I think of the beauty and horror. Their lives and mine. Tan fina. Tan fuerte.
Victoria.
The place you had land and stakes in. Right? And the theme of ‘land’ comes up again and I wonder why anyone would ever sell it. The most important thing in this life besides this life. Latierra. Where I toil in soil and don’t mind the cactus spikes in my palms too much.
Victoria.
With a K. Revolutionary, still. Lit a fire under me with your words and maybe the cinders of your bridal gown that you recanted over pizza. The one you burned for the sake of you. For the spoken word we love. For connections and sisterhood. Reminded me of the fact that my friends are a reflection of me and how much I want to know you more.
Victoria.
With one name takes me everywhere I love and connects me further. All the way from the core of my humble soul to the beams that beam across the grid of existence. Just the utterance of your name. Carry me to cobbled paths, aching feet, your dark features, sweat, revolution, tierra.Me. Sip. Sip.
Victoria.