The Escolta de Bandera is an organized activity in which a group of community youth present the Mexican flag at for events such as September 15th (the Independence Day of Mexico) and April 10th (the anniversary of the death of Emiliano Zapata). I have been participating in the Escolta de Bandera since I was 13 years old and have since then taken on special roles, one of them being leading the commands during the Escolta routine.
The significance behind being a part of the Escolta varies between the United States and Mexico. In Mexico the youth that are selected to lead the Escolta are usually selected from among the most economically privileged boys within a certain elementary or middle school. As it is done within Mexico, the Escolta is a ceremony that promotes civics and support for the Mexican government.
Within the United States the only Escolta group that I have heard of is the one that I belong to, based in Chicano Park. Our group is primarily composed of young mujeres that are involved in political activism within the Logan heights community. In other words, our Escolta is more about social justice, cultural pride, and challenging the existing forms of power and gender norms within our community and within the United States.
