Photographs by Dick Evans
According to 2010 Census data, 38.7% of reported Mission residents were born in a country outside the United States (Sprague 2012:19). Of these, 63.6% are from Mexico, Central, or South America. This journey of immigration—a shared history amongst a significant portion of today’s Mission neighborhood—is captured and memorialized in Rojas’ piece Enrique’s Journey. The mural was inspired by a book by Sonia Nazario of the same title, which follows Enrique, a young boy, on his journey from rural Central America (portrayed in the right of the mural), to the United States. The boy travels via train, and meets various people along the way, and his grandmother (portrayed in a welcoming purple hue), awaits his arrival on the other side. Uncle Sam and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) skeletons reach out to grab the young boy (Above left). Enrique is safe, however, as he is guided on his journey by an angel (Above right), yet another protector of Balmy Alley and the Mission community.