For my field report, I chose to visit the Cultural Center of la Raza located in Balboa Park. The Cultural Center de la Raza was established in 1970 and completed in 1985. It was created with the aim of preserving, promoting and educating about Mexican, Chicano, Indigenous and Latinx culture and art. When I arrived at the Center, I was greeted by a volunteer named Bertha “Birdie” Gutierrez who has been volunteering there for five years, I asked for a tour of the facility. Birdie is also a jewelry designer and sells pieces she creates that are Chicano inspired. She does this in order to raise money for Chicano causes. I was told that the building itself once served as a water reservoir, which explains its circular shape. Birdie explained that the circle is sacred in Chicano culture. The first mission carried out was the large mural which extends over the circular wall of the old reservoir. It was designed by Guillermo “Yermo” Aranda and is called “La Dualidad”. The creation of the fresco took 12 years. Other artists contributed to this work, and many of these artists also contributed to the Chicano Park artwork. There is currently an exhibition of Sergio Vásquez's work at the Centro called “Portraits and Alebrijes”. There were about 13 pieces and a book of his on display. The walls are white and there is plenty of empty space between each room, truly creating an environment focused on each creation. The Centro Cultural de la Raza located in Balboa Park alone has an important history here in San Diego for Chicanos. Salvador Torres, Guillermo Aranda, Ruben de Anda, Mario Acevedo, Victor Ochoa, David Avalos, the Enrique family, the Delia Moreno family and others worked together to organize...... middle of paper..... .taught people to plant and cultivate leading to prosperity. The belief that every person has good within them is also called Watakame. The mural “La Dualidad” represents a long history of the beginnings, struggles and successes of our people. I believe that the Raza Cultural Center is an important pillar of our community because it preserves the lessons we all need to learn. It is often said that to know where we are going, we must know where we come from. I believe this lesson is taught within the walls of the Centro. I'll be completely honest, I lacked knowledge of our history before this class and before my trip to Centro. As a result, I have definitely become more passionate about my culture, and that in itself is significant. This is why we need courses like Chicano Studies, teachers like you, and places like the Raza Cultural Center..