This past week, the Migration/Globalization students had very unique opportunities to meet with individuals and communities involved in social struggles here in México. As the politics class moves into its study of social movements, it was especially relevant to hear from people who live and breathe what could have just stayed on the pages of the class´s books.
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| Senate of the Mexican Republic in Mexico City |
First, we met with Doña Rosario Ibarra de Piedra, a Senator who represents the Federal District of México City. The meeting took place in the Senate of México, which was an exciting opportunity in it of itself for the group. However, the real honor was when we met with the Senator and she shared her story of why she became involved in politics in the first place. As she told us, she was living a happy “normal” life as a housewife and mother in Monterrey 36 years ago when her son was disappeared by the Mexican military and government. The term “disappeared” is used in many countries where this illegal process of kidnapping, torture and detainment is used. Individuals may or may not die in custody, but without a body it is impossible to say either way. As a result of her experience, Ms. Ibarra organized with other family members and friends, primarily mothers, of these disappeared people to pressure the government and international institutions. What they wanted was information regarding their loved ones, their release, and justice for those responsible. Although her groups have managed successes, she is still working to get her son back and to see those involved pay for their crimes. Now she represents many Mexicans on their Commission for Human Rights and continues to fight for the love of her son, her family, and the people of México.
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| Students listening to community members |
The following day, we travelled to Atenco, a town in the state of México, which found more success in their social struggle – although the need to “fight” was also caused by the government´s actions. One day in 2001, Atenco woke up to a governmental decree saying that the majority of their ejido or community farmland was being expropriated to build an airport and industrial zone for a price of 7 pesos a square meter. In response, the community organized and told the government, “Atenco no se vende!” – Atenco is not for sale! The MG students accompanied community members to their land – which was successfully saved – and were able to see the beauty, history and importance of the land in the culture of the community. In 2006, after their victory, Atenco suffered a brutal and violent repression from the Mexican government, and the last political prisoners weren´t released until last summer in 2010. The ability to speak with some of these community leaders and people who had been directly affected by the violence made reality tangible and relevant. I personally took to heart their struggle and movement, which they have expanded to include land rights all over México, and found hope in their successes.
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| Photos of Atenco´s social struggle |
To meet people like Senator Ibarra and the community of Atenco who use what is a terrible, horrible experience and turn that into something positive and a way to reach out to others and defend themselves is inspiring. I think we all have something to learn in what is both ordinary and extraordinary about them and their stories. To know that we all have the capacity to do what similar things to what they have done, and the fact that it doesn´t need to take a tragedy to get you on the path, either.
-Anna Loizeaux (International Resident Assistant/Teaching Assistant/Intern)
It was definitely an honor to meet Doña Rosario Ibarra de Piedra. Her inspirational passion for human rights and justice were very present in her speech. She really affirmed that people don't want revenge; they want justice!
ResponderEliminarAdditionally, our visit to Atenco really made visible the importance of solidarity between social movements. The Zapatistas visited Atenco in solidarity, and when the repression occurred, the Zapatistas returned and visited a second time to show their support of the community. Atenco also supported the town of Texcoco when government police there would not leave flower workers alone. In this way, social movements are united for human rights and I find it inspirational that there are actions of solidarity rather than competition between movements.
In our Political Science course we discussed some of the differences between social movements in the US and Mexico. In the US, often fund-raising is a huge part of a social movement, and support is often shown through monetary donations. In many social movements in Mexico, solidarity is shown in physical presence of people and their organizing efforts; solidarity is showing up in numbers at a protest, brining food to protesters who are occupying a building, or helping to organize the movement in other ways. This is not to say that one type of social movement is better or worse, but it is interesting to notice the differences between countries and try to understand the unique histories that influence these kinds of organizing.
In regards to Atenco, I thought that it was really cool that we were able to see a social movement that won and achieved its goal. Because we learn so much about other movements who have made progress but not all of the goals they started out to achieve. Going out to the corn fields to see where the government wanted to put the airport was very interesting in addition to the ancient cultural sites that were there aswell. The struggle is still real for the people of Atenco, many haven’t even been out of jail for a year yet. The fact that the community was willing to fight and to stand together against the government even through all of the horrible things that happened to them is simply amazing.
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