Budding from the 1960s Chicano Movement, CSUN’s Ballet Folklórico Aztlan (BFA) Club blossomed to celebrate community and culture through

Mexican folk dance. As the second recognized collegiate folklórico club in California, originating at CSUN in the late ‘60s, BFA de CSUN President Jazmin Garcia and Vice President Katelyn Casas seek to carry on the legacy of the club while navigating obstacles. “As one of the first collegiate folklorico groups in California, we deserve safe spaces for all our members to dance and grow together,” Garcia said. “Our priority is to protect our dancers’ well-being and keep our community united, because BFA has always been more than just a club, it is a family.” The BFA de CSUN club expressed complications with finding a proper space on campus for students and community members to practice. The dancers’ shoes contain nails in the toes and heels that create a resonant sound that adds another layer to the music. According to the club members, studios on and around campus are concerned with the potential damage to the floor. As a result, the Folklórico dancers practice under Sierra Tower on the concrete. According to Casas, previous BFA members have reported negative effects on their body from performing on the concrete long-term, issues she sees arising for current club members as well. “It’s disappointing, to say the least, to see CSUN be willing to advertise its inclusivity by featuring us on signs in the USU or promotional videos, but not give us the proper resources to continue doing what we do, without putting our health at risk,” Casas said. Amidst adversity, Garcia seeks to preserve and celebrate Mexican culture in higher education, emphasizing that many of her people do not have a chance to be represented. “As a first-generation student, it is important to take up space at our university and show that we are still here,” Garcia said. “Dancing folklórico is a powerful form of resilience, especially in times like these.”