mythology

His father, Charles Sr., took the family on weekly outings to the Santa Monica Public Library, where young “Charlie” devoured Greek mythology.

All of this, he adds, simply becomes part of the mythology that grows up around them.

Until now, “there’s never been much opposition, really” to the narrative of the Californios’ decline, Chavez-Garcia said, calling it “foundational” to the state’s mythology.

Her presence in the genre, her Blackness and her artistry, challenged long-standing assumptions about who belongs in the visual and sonic mythology of the American heartland.

“And because of the Aztec mythology of Tonatiuh being the sun god, she woke up from the dream and was like, ‘My kid’s name is going to be Tonatiuh.’”