Response:
Because of the presence of Latinos in the U.S., the Day of the Dead is also celebrated here. It was carried north through migration, but it has only recently started to appear in mainstream culture.
Ron López, who heads the Department of Chicano and Latino Studies at Sonoma State University, mentions, “in the eighties, there was an increase in individuals arriving from the southern parts of Mexico, shifting from previous migrations that were mostly from the north and the capital. This migration trend introduced traditions like the Day of the Dead into the United States.”
When Disney released the film "Coco" in 2017, it elevated the recognition of the Day of the Dead among Anglo-Saxon audiences, albeit sometimes caricaturing the celebration. Due to its connection to October 31, the Day of the Dead has occasionally been incorrectly associated with Halloween by those unfamiliar with it. In reality, however, they are quite different.
Halloween often revolves around themes of horror and fear, while the Day of the Dead emphasizes remembrance and joyful celebration. It is a time to spiritually connect with our ancestors who have passed on and to honor their memories. During the Day of the Dead, we acknowledge that death is a natural element of human life, and we hold no fear towards it.
