Week 16: Saying Goodbye and Taking the Next Step Forward

The social work students and the intern pose together

during one of their final lab group sessions.

Time has flown by and I can’t believe that it is already the end of the semester. It seems like these past four months have been a whirlwind of activity, through the students’ arrival, to rural and urban homestays, internships and classes, and all of the general chaos of life in between. I can truly say that I have enjoyed seeing the journeys of all of the students this semester. They have moved through cycles of discovery, struggle, reflection, and finally transformation. I have enjoyed listening and laughing with all of the students, and I have appreciated what life experiences and points of view each and every one of them has had to offer.

This week we saw the students present their final projects, which were a culmination of all they have learned throughout the semester. Each student was required to integrate what they had learned and experienced in a creative project that they could share with those back home in the U.S. Students shared their new-found knowledge in a variety of mediums, including power point presentations, poetry/spoken word, and visual art. Seeing the final projects really inspired me. I am hopeful because I know that all of these students will bring their new-found knowledge and cultural sensitivity into the social work profession in the U.S. I have confidence that all of them will help to make this world a better place for all of us in their own unique ways.

On the final day of the program, Julie (the other intern) and I led a re-entry session with the students in the morning, where we taught the students about the process of re-entry culture shock. After the morning session, we had a closing ceremony with all of the students and program staff members. Julie and I used the metaphor of a candle to symbolize spreading the light of our community here at CEMAL to our friends, family, schools, and communities back home. As each person took the flame from the middle of the circle to light their own candle, they shared with the group a pledge to action that they had written that day. For me, this was a powerful reminder of not just the need for learning, but also for action.

Julie leads some of the students in the
re-entry lab group session.

The final closing ceremony.

I would like to end with some words from Buddhist peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. In his book Peace is Every Step, he says:

Many people are aware of the world’s suffering; their hearts are filed with compassion. They know what needs to be done, and they engage in political, social, and environmental work to try to change things. But after a period of intense involvement, they may become discouraged if they lack the strength needed to sustain a life of action. Real strength is not in power, money, or weapons, but in deep, inner peace. Practicing mindfulness in each moment of our daily lives, we can cultivate our own peace. With clarity, determination, and patience…we can sustain a life of action and be real instruments of peace.[1]

I would like to leave the students with a challenge to keep in mind as they step out into the world and move forward in their lives. I would like to challenge them to keep asking questions, looking deeper, challenging themselves, reflecting, sharing, and growing. We should all strive to practice mindfulness in our own lives, both in the small actions we take every day, and in the larger sense as well. As we each move forward on our journeys through life, let’s truly “wage peace”!

En Paz,

Lisa
CGE Social Work Intern, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Spring 2008

[1] Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step. “Waging Peace.” Bantam Books, NY: 1992. pp. 99.

Week 15: A Challenging Visit to the U.S. Embassy

Week 15 signals the semester coming to a close. Students have said goodbye to the families they stayed with in Cuernavaca and moved back into Casa Verde and Casa Cemal. They are focused on finishing papers and presentations and the travel and visits still on the to-do list. I too am thinking about last classes, packing for travel to Minnesota, and grading those assignments, papers, and presentations.

A highlight of the week was an excursion to Mexico City for some sightseeing time and a visit to the United States Embassy.

My view is from the back of the van for most excursions. Several in the group suffer from motion sickness and the seats in the front and middle of the van go to them.

Many in the group visited the National Museum of Anthropology, the zoo, and the Modern Art Museum. I met friends for a paddleboat ride on the lake in Chapultepec Park. Paco took this photo of me enjoying the sunny, relaxing afternoon.

Naurine enjoying the lake in Chapultepec Park; Boats on the lake.

The visit with Embassy personnel was both satisfying and disturbing. We learned the term “Diplomatic Mission:”

“Countries establish diplomatic missions in other countries in order to further foreign policy objectives. They will choose to maintain a mission in another country depending on the size and maturity of the bilateral relationship, the political climate, and resource constraints.” From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Diplomatic_missions_by_country

and that the U.S. diplomatic mission in Mexico is one of the largest and busiest in the world. It is a complex mix of embassy activities and educational, commercial, political, and cultural contacts between the two countries. Officers from four areas – public affairs, economic section, consular affairs, and political affairs – spent nearly two hours with us describing their responsibilities and then answered many questions posed by the students. The Consular Section provides assistance to American citizens and issues U.S. visas to Mexican citizens, so most of the questions were directed to the very experienced representative of that section.

“Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states: Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status..”. http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

Mexicans, who want to visit the U.S. complete an application on line and pay a $131 USD fee in order to receive an appointment for an in-person interview. At the interview they will have 2-3 minutes to show the documents they have brought and convince the consular officer that they have solid reasons for returning to their home, job and family in Mexico. Planning to visit a relative who is living in the U.S. illegally will almost certainly bring a denial. Officers can interview as many as 150 persons per day, and they believe that this extensive experience interviewing applicants makes it possible for them to decide quickly and confidently who are the best “risks” for a short term visit to the U.S. If an applicant is turned down, s/he may apply again – and pay the fees again – but there is no appeal of a decision by a consular officer. We were reassured that the denial rate is much smaller than is commonly thought and that all should try to obtain a visa legally before taking the chances of crossing the border illegally.
Students have heard personal stories of those who have been denied visas so they expressed concern about ways in which the complex process, including internet application and a significant non-refundable fee, and the Section 214.b, favor Mexicans who own property and have sizeable bank accounts. We found it challenging to listen to the attempts of the officers to present a balanced view and were left wanting to know more. Several resolved to influence congressmen to create a more fair law, one that doesn’t discriminate against the poor and landless who want to visit with relatives in the U.S.
http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/eng/offices.htm

-by Naurine Lennox, Social Work Professor, St. Olaf College, Minnesota

Week 14: Immigration and Social Movements

As we near the end of our semester in Mexico, we are all thinking about how we will use what we’ve learned here in Mexico to make us better social workers in the United States.

This week we were asked to read articles written by people who are opposed to immigration. Up to this point in the semester we have mostly heard the voices of immigrants who are forced to migrate north in order to survive or other people who support immigration to the U.S. from Mexico. In class we discussed some of the more valid points that were made by those in opposition to immigration. However, most of us found it hard to get past the anger and hatred toward Mexican immigrants within the readings. We found ourselves distracted by statements directed at immigrants such as “stop taking our jobs and getting our orders wrong at McDonalds.” [1] The racism and profound ignorance that we saw in the articles made it difficult to recognize the valid points that they were making. As we prepare for our return to the U.S., where we are sure to engage in discussions over immigration, it will be helpful to look back on our discussion of these articles. By moving past our initial emotions, we may be able to open a dialogue where we acknowledge opposing arguments while effectively explaining our own points of view and insights. This style of listening with respect will help us in working with all clients.

On Friday, we were visited by Jose Martinez, a representative of La Comisión Independiente de Derechos Humanos de Morelos (the Independent Commission of Human Rights of the State of Morelos), who spoke with us about democracy in Mexico and other Latin American countries. A significant amount of his discussion revolved around the grassroots movements in various countries that have been pressing for democracy to replace their oppressive governments. Later in class we discussed the role of social movements in building democracy. I think that these discussions about the importance of social movements in creating change are useful for us to think about since most of us grew up in an environment where the focus is on the individual, rather than on the group or community. Because we grew up with this focus, many of us tend to forget the power of many voices demanding change in unison. As social workers, we can take these discussions back with us to the U.S., where we will be better prepared to look beyond the individual to see broader social problems that present an opportunity for change by many. While it is clear that social movements take patience and strength, it is also clear that they give a voice to the masses that have not yet been heard.

While the thought of returning to the U.S. is slightly overwhelming at the moment, we are all very excited to return with greater knowledge of not only Mexico, but of ourselves as well.


-by Anna Thomas


In between classes, excursions, and presentations we said goodbye to our homestay families after four weeks together. Here, students present through song the things that they enjoyed most about their experiences with families.








We also visited a site where a group of people is building a house out of recycled materials. This building was constructed using wood from a tree that died on the property. Materials used elsewhere include glass bottles, tires, plastic piping, and horse manure. We can't wait to look for new ways to recycle in the U.S.!

[1] Stop illegal immigration petition (2005). Retrieved April 23, 2007, from www. petitionspot.com/petitions/stopillegals

Week 13: New Perspectives and New Experiences

This week we had shorter days of classes which were beneficial because we had to write our final paper for [our] Mexican Context [class]. It was also our third week living with our [homestay] families. We had a trip to a prison here for the policy class, and some members of SEJELA and other social work students came along.

Our prison visit was Thursday; it was really interesting to see because it was nothing like I had anticipated. The facility itself was very clean and modern. It was built in 1998. Before going to the prison we were told we needed to wear jeans, and either a red or navy blue shirt, to not be confused with staff or inmates. There are three stages of inmates that we saw. People dressed in tan were in process, people in yellow had been sentenced, and people dressed in green shirts were getting close to their release. What I thought was really interesting was the focus in this prison on rehabilitation. Inmates could work—some as gardeners, some as artisans, and others worked in the kitchens or in the maquiladoras (factories). We toured the facility which was very spacious. There were flowers and trees lining the sidewalks between buildings too. We also had the opportunity to see the classrooms, and we saw two English classes as well as a classroom where inmates were working towards their law degrees. There we met the first man to ever graduate from college [in a Mexican prison] with a law degree. The focus on education here was inspiring, because the inmates chose to attend classes and work for their education. They were trying to better themselves for their future after they were released. It was a wonderful experience, and the staff at the prison were really inviting. Hospitality still exists inside the prison.

A sign hanging up at the entrance to the prision we visited.

Saturday, Anna [another student] and I attended a quinciñera with my host family. Quinciñeras are a community event to celebrate not only the 15th birthday of a young girl, but also to signify her transition from child to young adult. It’s a way of having the community support around her at a time where she will start to experience many changes in her world. It was really fun to get dressed up and see another Mexican tradition, and to be allowed to take part in such an important day for a 15 year old. We saw her entrance, and the dancing that she and her court had spent months learning. We got this picture with her, sadly after she had changed out of her amazing green dress, and into normal clothes to continue dancing more comfortably. It was really great to think about how important this day was, and the focus on the community being there for her transition from childhood to adulthood. I really enjoyed this time with my family as well to see them interact with their friends and have an evening of conversation at such a happy location. All of the experiences this week were new to me, and eye opening to different aspects of life here, and I cannot wait to see what the last three weeks bring!

-by Kylie Otte

Week 12: Gender and Liberation Theology in Social Change

In a conversation I had with a friend, he said that atheists are the best theologians. This struck me as profound and it became my way of thinking, as well: who could be better to study religion than someone with very little stake in it. However, in my time spent in Central America and Mexico I have seen religion and theology take completely different forms.

Graffiti that says: "Women to Power, Happy Women´s Day."

In response to military/governmental oppression in the forms of torture, disappearances, and overwhelming economic disparity in Latin America, certain sects within the Catholic Church began to question what their role was in the process of social change, and re-read the bible in a different perspective—one that took a preferential stance on the side of the poor. Priests and Bishops took off their gold jewelry and priestly robes, to walk in solidarity with the poor.
Dr. R Aida Hernandez Castillo, a cultural anthropologist who lived in Guatemalan refugee camps in Chiapas Mexico, talked to us about her research on women and religion in the context of social movements such as the Zapatistas in Chiapas. The Zapatista movement, which is an ongoing struggle of indigenous people demanding that their voices be heard by their country, is a continued struggle against contemporary conquest in the form of Neoliberalism. The initial armed struggle was a result of three main issues: economic structural reforms that negatively affected the rural economy, racism and exclusion against indigenous peoples and state violence against peasant and indigenous organizations. The Zapatistas took control of certain areas within the state of Chiapas using guerilla warfare tactics, but what made the movement different from others was their inclusion of women, their anti-racist approach, and the fact that they were the 1st guerilla movement to have a gender agenda as a part of their political demands[1]. Liberation theology played a large role in organizing the people, and manifested itself in Chiapas in nuanced ways compared to the role it played in Central America. It saw a transformation from a strictly Marxist analysis of class and economic oppression, to include racial, sexual and gender oppression in its analysis.

"To take communion is to become dangerous
We come to cause trouble
With faith and commitment your kingdom will come"[2]

Similar to the use of religion as a tool for social change, we visited a women’s education center that used feminist theory in a Latina American context to empower women. They talked about the politics of the body, and for a feminist movement to take hold the body needs to be the first thing that is recovered. This means that women need to have access to nutrition, health, protection from domestic violence and safe and legal abortions. They talked about the difficulties they face working in a conservative and patriarchal system, and offered that feminism needs to be incorporated into our daily lives, because theory is theory, but it has to be lived[3]. This I how my perspective of theologians and theorists has changed, because it doesn’t matter who is doing the theorizing as long as it is used to strip the power from systems of oppression and bring it back to the people.

A mural depicting a woman and her child.

-by Walter Gies

[1] Talk with Dra. R. Aida Hernandez Castillo 4-15-2008 titled: Social Movements in Chiapas- Women and Religion
[2] Hymn from the diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico. Translated by Ann Lutterman- Aguilar.
[3] Talk at CIDAL, 4-18-2008

Week 11: "Mi Casa es su Casa"

“Marta…no, Estela…no, Lydia.....no.....ahh, Ofelia, there she is, my mom for the next month!” On Saturday, April 5th we got to meet our Mexican families that we are going to be living with for the next month. Before we loaded the taxis with our luggage and excitement, the families and students entered into a large group to discuss the essential pieces of the pie in order to have a successful homestay. After easing any concerns or doubts that either the students or families had, we said our good byes to one another and off we went to settle into our new homes. I believe the purpose of this homestay is for us to learn more about the customs, the traditions, and the culture of Mexico and of course I cannot forget the desire to improve our Spanish speaking skills. We all live with different families ranging from single moms to big “traditional” families to same sex couples. After spending a week in my homestay I think that this experience has been and will continue to be a very enriching part of our stay here in Mexico because we are not only reading about the customs and traditions of Mexican families but we are living them and breathing them as if they were our own. We are all very grateful to our families for opening their homes and their hearts to us and treating us as if the same blood ran through our bodies. In response to this hospitality, I believe many of our hearts and minds have been opened to a new way of thinking. The U.S culture tends to have the mind set, “what’s mine is mine” and “to each their own.” But here in Mexico, life is different. The majorities of people are always considerate of one another and want to make sure that the other is taken care of. A common saying here in Mexico is, “Mi casa es su casa.” What’s mine…is yours.

However, the existence of some people’s homes are being threatened by massive housing developments. On Friday, April 11th we were very fortunate to have Don Saul Roque share with us the visions and the goals of an organization he belongs to called 13 Pueblos (towns). Don Saul Roque, who is a resident of one of these towns stated, “It’s not the housing developments that we are against because we know that people need a place to live. We are against the fact that the government is allowing the developments to be built where natural resources are being severely affected.”[1] The people of these towns believe that nature gives life and that it should be reserved. There are natural springs located within these pueblos in which the townspeople rely on for drinking, bathing, cooking and washing clothes; the basic necessities which water should provide all people with. I have a lot of respect and admiration for this organization because they are fighting with all their soul for something I consider to be a basic human right. As my compañera (classmate) Hyacinth said, “Although it may seem like housing developments are a good idea from the outside looking in, we aren’t always aware of whom it may negatively impact.”[2] I want to thank Don Saul Roque for sharing this information with a culture of students who are known for consumption; I can’t imagine it was easy. He helped to open our hearts and minds to understand the ‘true value’ of something as simple as water.

-by Julie Schellack

[1] Don Saul Roque, speaker from 13 Pueblos, April 11th 2008
[2] Hyacinth Mosse, social work student, April 11th 2008

Weeks 9 &10: An Exchange Between Social Work Students From Mexico and the U.S.

The past two weeks have been filled with new friendships, new experiences, and new outlooks on the varying differences between Social Work in Mexico and in the United States. In the first week we had the great opportunity to visit one of the best universities in Latin America and one of the most prestigious in the world, UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) in Mexico City. According to Mtro. Rogelio Castillo Trápala, UNAM currently consists of 320,000 students and 26,000 teachers throughout the university.

One of many murals at UNAM.

2,000 of those students are currently in the Social Work program. [1] A tour of the campus showed beautiful murals and an impressive library. Also impressive were the speakers who talked to the class about the great research projects that had been done and future projects. Many of the students within the Social Work program participate in these projects that focus on social and political issues. From that they are able to build experience working with diverse populations and to learn new skills, insights, and solutions to social and political issues.

Some of the 80,000 books that the UNAM has in its libraries.

They also build experience by working in a practicum for one year. Two of the many options that the students have and two of the places that we visited were a health center and a psychiatry institute. We were able to talk directly to the students and make comparisons and contrasts to practicums in Mexico and the United States. Towards the end of our visit in Mexico City, we met with Victor M. Inzùa who had completed a study on children “in” and “of” the streets in Mexico. You see, in Mexico there is large population of children that sell many types of goods from gum to hacky sacks or who may be working in restaurants or factories along with other types of work that generate money for them and for their family. In his study he found that 35% of the children are working for themselves without a family and 64% are working to help their families to obtain basic needs.[2] To what lengths would you have to go to ensure all members of your family have food, drinking water, and a roof over their heads?

Boat rides in Xochimilco, near Mexico City.

Some UNAM students visited us in Cuernavaca for one week during Sexual Diversity week. The discussion over the differences and comparisons in Social Work between Mexico and the United States showed that Social Workers in both countries have similar goals and objectives but the needs of the clients that we serve are different. After listening to a panel of speakers regarding gender and sexuality, I couldn’t help but repeat in my head several times, “ascribed gender”. Why is it necessary to put little girls in pink outfits and dolls in their hands? Little boys in blue, toting trucks? Let’s allow everyone to identify their own gender and sexuality, no matter how long it takes.

Group photo of visiting UNAM students, CEMAL students, and teachers.

1: Mtro. Rogelio Castillo Trápala, DIA/Depto. Enseñanza , Presentation on study plans and licensure on March 24, 2008 in Mexico City at UNAM.

2: Victor M. Inzúa Canales, Coordinación de Investigación, Presentation on research, March 27, 2008 in Mexico City at UNAM.

-by Jessica Luehring

Week 7: Learning About Culture

Let´s start out with a small Spanish lesson. There is only one way for me to write to you in English: with the word Y-O-U. In the Spanish language it comes in two forms: ustéd and tú. Ustéd is formal (boss, grandparent, pastor) and is considered respectful (respetuoso). Tú is informal (friend, sister, etc).

This week we visited an agency called SEDESOL. It is a department of social development. A representative for the agency, and one who operates the programs, spoke to us about what SEDESOL does. His name was Carlos Cortes. He spoke about one program that operates day-cares. He said that many women bring their children with them to work in markets. The children are set on the ground and many get sick, but the parents have no where else to send them. SEDESOL creates places for children to go. Mr. Cortes said that with this program more children have the opportunity to stay healthy (and the parents do not have to pay) and the parents are able to get more work done. [1]

José Luis Morán, Carlos Cortes y Paula Armas.

They all work for the agency SEDESOL.

Another lesson in culture that has been repeated over and over in this semester is that not all people speak directly. If you are invited to a party and are not able to attend, well, that´s okay, but just say “Yes, I will see you there.” It seems like a lie, but really it´s a great way to be kind!

A more important lesson is that many people in the Mexican culture speak in a circular fashion. Let´s pretend that you want to know where the corn came from that you are eating. You question your friend´s mom, who is from Mexico. It is very possible that instead of just saying that she got it from her garden, she will began by telling you about her ancestors and how hard they worked to grow the delicious, hormone-free corn that you are now eating. She may go into much more detail, because it is a very important part of her culture. I give you this example because I want you (ustéd or tú) to realize that many people from cultures other than your own (or even your own) may not get straight to the point when you ask a question. But I tell you, please don´t forget to listen. If you start to get bored…STOP!!! You may be missing some very valuable information, just in a different form than you are used to.

To end, I shall ask you a couple of questions. Where are your ancestors from? Think hard. Did they come over to the U.S.A. from Norway? Germany? Ireland? Let´s not forget our own history. Most of our ancestors emigrated over to the U.S.A. We are products of immigration. Let´s not forget that. Let´s make all immigrants feel at home, just like we feel at home.

Human sculpture of someone crossing the border (the box).
She (the immigrant) is being pushed and pulled by people in the U.S. and in Mexico.
Life is not easy. We can be a support and make it easier.

[1] Carlos Cortes, representative of the SEDESOL agency (social development); presentation on March 12, 2008 at the SEDESOL agency in Cuernavaca, Morelos.

-By Christina Olson

Week 6: Learning About U.S. Interventions in Latin America

This week was a week of reflection for the students in our program. Aside from a visit to the Congress of Morelos on Tuesday, our schedule was a bit lighter and much of our time was spent working on our midterm projects. In the process of putting together our projects, which came in the form of essays, letters and monologues, many of us were given the chance to think about the experiences we have had in Mexico and consider how we might be able to apply these things to our attitudes and actions when we return home.

On Wednesday we had the opportunity to learn about US interventions in Latin America. Our visiting speaker brought us through some of the changing periods in the history of US foreign policy, including Pan-Americanism and the Monroe Doctrine, which promoted “America for the Americans,” FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy and World War II, the Cold War Era, the War on Drugs, and the more recent War on Terror[1]. However, aside from this small number of well-publicized international policies and events, many US citizens are not aware of many of their government’s foreign interventions, especially those dealing with Latin America.

One highly controversial issue in relation to United States-Latin American interaction is the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, more commonly know by its former name, The School of the Americas. The School of the Americas is a school for Latin American soldiers where “counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics” are taught[2]. We were able to learn more about this issue from a couple of our classmates who had previously attended the yearly protest of the school. A few powerful points they made dealt with the variety of individuals who participated in the protests and the presence of a highly organized form of civil disobedience. Each year, some of the protest’s participants choose to cross the fence into Fort Benning, a federal offense punishable by up to six months in prison. However, those who consider crossing are provided with legal counseling and a logistics meeting before the event. The disobedience is thoughtfully considered and carefully executed by those who choose to display their opinions in this way.

A vigil for those killed by graduates of the School of the Americas.

Protest and civil disobedience are just some of the ways that we can put the lessons we’ve learned in Mexico into action when we return. In class on Friday we discussed our projects and what we could do to with our ideas upon the end of the semester. Our discussions focused on how privilege (based on race, class, religion, etc.) has affected our ability to see injustice in society and how our expanded knowledge might help us become more aware of the extent to which discrimination pervades our society. This awareness can be our first step in working towards change.

The Morelos State Congress builiding in Cuernavaca,

which the students also visited this week.

[1] Lecture on United States interventions in Latin America. 5 March, 2008. Cuernavaca, Mexico.
[2] SOA Watch. What is the SOA? http://www.soaw.org/type.php?type=8

Week 5: Experiencing Rural Life

The students pose near a corn field in rural Mexico.

The week of February 24th - March 1st was spent at our first home stay. This was a rural home stay. The families were very nice to us and showed us lots of hospitality. We were especially well fed. This home stay gave us a chance to practice our Spanish speaking skills and see a life style that was different from the one that we are used to experiencing in the United States. Some students had to bucket bathe, we all got to watch tortillas being made, and woke to roosters in the morning.

During our rural home stay we went out to other rural towns to learn about the different things that affect people in rural Mexico. We talked to farmers, women’s groups, and environmental groups. These different groups showed us the challenges that communities face along with the strengths that the communities posses. We learned that the main strength is the people.

A typical street in a rural Mexican town.

The different groups that we talked to showed us the importance of land to the people of rural Mexico. The land is how most people make their living. We got to ride out to the ejidal lands and talk to farmers about farming and the issues that they face. We learned about how the products for farming came from the United States, but farmers were not able to export their products to the United States.

Community efforts in these small towns help to fight for the rights of farmers, keep farmers farming, and empower women. Two of the groups that we talked to were women’s groups that were helping farmers and keeping communities together. While Mexico has a culture of machismo, women are very integral to keeping communities together.

A local recycling project.

A classroom in a rural school we visited.

Women we noticed in our time in the rural communities did much work. They worked in the home from the time that they got up until they went to bed. Women worked all day to have all three meals on the table for their families. They wash the clothes, feed the animals, and some times make crafts from home for extra income. The women in these communities are strong individuals.

One of the most moving things that our group experienced was the speakers who spoke to us about their immigration into the United States and their time in the country. It was a very moving speech that brought some of us to tears to hear about how our country treats immigrants. All of us learned something new about the experience of coming into the United States, whether it was about the cost, the extremes that people have to endure, how the border patrol belittles immigrants, or the feeling of hate that immigrants come to acquire against the United States [1].

We experienced many events in one week that opened our eyes to a different way of life, a different way of being, and a different way of seeing the world. It was a great experience that I wish more people from the United States could have to help them understand why people come to our country, how we are a part of creating those conditions, and the conditions that people endure to get there.

[1] Migration panel, 27 February 2008.

-By Erin Whitcomb

Week 4: Connecting to Diverse Identities

The Desarrollo Integral de La Familia (DIF) de Morelos is comparatively the Family and Child Services of Morelos. A woman who works for the DIF explained the general areas of service are to provide social assistance. The influence of the church and traditional values in Mexico are still very apparent when highlighting specifically who qualifies for assistance and what is the definition of a qualified family to adopt. When it came to adoption fees in Morelos there are none, which is very different when compared to the lawyer, court, and agency fees you may encounter in the U.S. Contrary to the progressive idea that adoption should be “less expensive”; the criteria are still very traditional and intentional in creating the “traditional family.” To adopt you must be a heterosexual couple who are emotionally and economically stable, under the age of 50, and usually try to place children with racially similar parents. While the DIF is very active in providing its services it was interesting to still feel the influence of the church in polices.

The Costa Chica is one of two regions in Mexico with significant black communities. Nadia Alvarado Salas is an Afro-Mexican woman that shared her life experiences of being an Afro-Mexican in Mexico and the importance of what she referred to as the “third root of race in Mexico.” Nadia struggled with being discriminated against in private school and within her own family. She emphasized the internalized racism that exists within these communities. While discrimination and identity issues may be similar in the U.S. the struggle in Mexico is emphasize by the government and cultural denial that Africans even exist in Mexico. This denial of an entire existence of people only contributes to the loss of African heritage and racism within Mexico.

Giselle Stern Hernández opened the eyes of us all when she performed here monologue “The Deportees Wife,” a narration of her own experiences. She painted a new picture of the abuse of power by the United States and Canadian Immigration offices. As a result of extreme circumstances Giselle’s husband was deported not once but twice from the United States banning him from returning for twenty years. The charges were not the most moving or worst part, but how her husband was treated in the process. Undocumented individuals are treated like, if not worse, than vicious criminals. She described the bulletproof glass windows when going to visit, waiting in lines that seemed never to end, and no guarantee or advice for what to do next. Now when people ask her the surface deep question “what brought you to Mexico?” she hesitates not because she is ashamed but because she feels people really aren’t ready to here the answer. She is here because her husband can’t go there, but after this experience the real question is, if they could live in the United States would they? One of the most moving quotes was when she described her Master Degree graduation in Colorado. “Many people say, well he was there in spirit, BUT HE’S NOT DEAD! It would be different if he was.”(Giselle, group monologue presentation, February 22,2008)

-By Tiffany Ramm

Week 3: Discovering American Privilege

Upon arriving in Mexico, many sources commented that when visiting a country and trying to learn about their culture, the new awareness is found not in the new culture, but of the culture you just left. Through examining the good and bad of NAFTA, visiting maquiladoras and discussing privilege in our own lives this week the extent of American Privilege took a more personal twist.

The week started off with an opportunity to volunteer with an after school tutoring program for low income families. Because of the lower quality in the public school system, these kids can’t receive the attention and education received in higher funded private schools. This program works with the families and kids to bring them up to a level of understanding and development where they will become more successful. How many times do we as Americans take advantage of our excellent education system and the opportunity to go to college? [1]

In Tuesday’s Spanish class, we watched an emotional video about the effect of Maquiladoras on Mexico especially in the lives of women. Maquiladoras were brought into Mexico as assembly plants because of lower labor cost, but in the end created problems because of low standards in safety, security, and allow for few changes because of unrealistic rules and regulations set by US multi-billion dollar industries. Can we even understand these workers’ frustration of feeling alienated from the product, your boss, and the company? How many times are we an unheard voice in an unsafe, dirty, physically and mentally demanding job with no benefits and an extreme violence and death rate?

On Wednesday we had the privilege of visiting one of the better Maquiladoras. In this particular swimming suit assembly factory, the workers enjoyed the equivalent of about US$40 a week to work a 7-4 hour day in air conditioning with a 15 minute breakfast break, a 30 minute break for lunch and a 6 minute break for exercise. They work on swimming suits they could never afford, each one taking 9 minutes 37 seconds, resulting in a product made for skinny Americans to lay and relax. [2] To simply feed their families is a struggle for these workers, not to mention dreaming about a vacation someday. Is there a thought for the work behind the products we buy mindlessly?

The week ended with two lectures for and against the affects of NAFTA and globalization that we had already heard and seen with our own eyes. Discussing these things left us with questions about how we handle our own privilege and what it really means to give up parts of our privilege to increase equality all around the world. How many times in a day do we take advantage of things that we can do only because we are American? Do we have a right to do them simply because of our blue passport? Is it right to continue to do them after being educated about these discriminating issues?

-by Sarah De Vries

[1] Information received from conversations with organization volunteers and staff
[2] Lecture given by AVI manager at the maquiladora, February 13, 2008

Week 2: Exploring Mexican History and Culture

Does there always have to be more than one way to look at a question, a building, a piece of literature, etc.? These were questions that had to be answered during this week.

A visit to a convent and retreat center gave us the chance to better understand the significance that the Virgin of Guadalupe played and plays in the lives of the Mexican people. She appeared to an indigenous man, Juan Diego, at a time when the Spanish had already taken over and conquered Mexico for themselves. The Virgin is known as a saint by many today because she was able to bridge the gap between the old religions of the indigenous peoples with the new influence of Spanish Catholicism. She appeared to bring peace between the two religions. But is this always the case when at times this image is used to hinder the growth and strength of women in this culture as they strive to reach an unattainable image of purity and greatness?

A visit to Hernan Cortés’ palace in Cuernavaca revealed a magnificent mural painted on the walls by Diego Rivera called “History of Morelos, Conquest and Revolution.” As our eyes scanned the massive walls that displayed indigenous people being slaughtered and forced into slavery by the Spanish, it was clear the name of the mural did not clearly portray the contents of the work. Where was the revolution that Diego Rivera strived to bring and portray in his works? Each day when we go out into Mexico and see the struggles that Mexicans face, we are privileged to see glimpses of this revolution. Rivera’s murals conveyed a message of hope—a message that requires us to learn from the past and to make for ourselves a better future.

One of the ways Mexico tried to make a better future was to join Canada and the U.S. in the well-known NAFTA agreement. Even though this treaty was meant to benefit all three countries involved, it has instead increased the power of Canada and the U.S. while diminishing the power of Mexico. A representative of the Unión de Pueblos de Morelos, Emilio Garcia [1], explained this phenomena as he described what has been going on in Mexico since the passing of NAFTA in 1994. He spoke to us about current political events in Mexico. The Mexican people have been greatly hurt as mass-producing companies come in and buy out the small lands of the farmers. To make matters worse, the agricultural sector in Mexico can’t compete with a market in America. The statistics are staggering—1180 tractors per 1000 farmers in the U.S., compared to 20 per 1000 farmers in Mexico. Not to mention the production cost has gone up 450% for Mexican farmers. Looking at this issue from a social work systems perspective, it is easy to see why so many Mexicans are forced to migrate to other countries or enter into illegal activities. Mexico is a world of juxtapositions.

[1] From a talk given on February 7, 2008 at Casa Verde in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

-by Abbie Sumrall

Week 1: Orientation

Identity

Who are we and how do we identify our self to others?

Often times we identify our self by the way others see us.

I am a daughter, my mother’s child. I am a sister, a friend. I am a European, with roots of Bohemian, Iceland, Spanish running through my veins. I am a healer of the mind. I am a lover of the earth, with the passion for life. I live in the moment and dream of the future. I am a learner, forever changing.

Who are you?

From the moment we arrive we are awakened. Interaction between people is heightened. Social life is alive, slowly transforming the lonely individual that has resided in us for quite some time, into a social butterfly willing to engage in any experience we might find.

Indigenous Culture and Cosmovision

Week events were centered in culture. Who we are reflects the customs, traditions and beliefs we place great importance on. Our lens of viewing things is intertwined with the culture we embrace. A trip to an indigenous community demonstrates how culture can create a different way of living. Conquerers continue to compromise the balance of life for Indigenous peoples. Globalization has surrounded them and they feel the pressure to conform to a culture that contradicts their own. The weight doesn’t just come from México. It also comes from their neighbors from the North. Policies made in the United States have been detrimental to México as a whole. The people of the community we visited have a long history of struggle and conflict to keep their culture alive. Similar to the Native Americans in the United States, they believe in balance and harmony. The only way to achieve balance and harmony is to respect the earth. Every thing is connected and contributes to the balance of life. This cosmovision has not been respected. The long history of disrespect has disrupted the balance and as a result people are now suffering the consequences, perhaps through global warming, water scarcity, and food shortages.

Xochicalco

Taken back to the past, this place is rich with history. The past has created the present and will continue to create the future. The inhabitants of this ancient city were underestimated in the wisdom knowledge they possessed. The remnants of this place has contributes to the present today. Xochicalco means the house of flowers is in the native tongue of Nahuatl. Towns near by this site speak this language. The ruins also reveal the history of trading that took place throughout Mesoamerica. Perhaps this was a trading center between the North and the South. It shows strong influences of Teotihuacán and Mayan art.

-by Hyacinth Mosse