mythology

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.’”

But Hawley is more interested in mythology and cautionary tales than headlines, and one far older than “Alien.”

Climate, romantic mythology, the lure of real estate wealth — all these factors set the stage for the greatest boom of all.