Borderlands

This has been an interesting week for me. Pasha, and I are doing our research presentation on Saturday regarding the "borders" that exist (real and imagined) between the United States and Mexico. I have read, re-read, and read again Pat Mora's poem, "LaMigra". I find it intriguing and disturbing. As I mentioned to Pasha, I feel that Part I of the poem is pretty clearly defined - the border patrol demands obedience, and there is a large price to pay if their demands are not met. It seems clear-cut, and very troubling. The female part, Part II, is a little more detailed, and demanding in its own right. It seems to me that the female in Part II is taunting the border patrol, not only with her femininity, but with her ability to know the land and her abilities as well. Frankly, she seems to make the border patrolman appear as a big, pathetic dolt.

It was a pleasure to read Gloria Anzaldua's writing from Borderlands La Frontera. Not only was it extremely well written and interesting, but it was fun to translate as well. I absolutely agree with Ms. Anzaldua's concept of una raza mestiza, and very much hope that she is correct that "En unas pocas centurias, (in a few centuries) the future will belong to the mestiza." This is a real hope of mine - that race and class will someday be a non-issue. I know that it won't happen in my lifetime, and probably not even in my grandchildrens' lives, but maybe someday...

I really enjoyed Anzaldua's use of metaphors in this piece, especially when she speaks of borders. In follow up to this week's reading, I have done a little research on Mexican women, and in particular, Mexican women who live in border towns. Of particular interest is information on the "femicide" that continues to go on in the border area of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. For additional information on this dire situation, please follow this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104981339&sc=emaf

This situation in Juarez certainly gives little hope to Anzaldua’s belief in the long struggle that will bring us to the end of rape, violence and war. In August 2009 alone, there were over 300 murders (USBorderWatch.com 9/2/09), and authorities expect the total murders for 2009 to exceed the 1623 in Juarez in 2008. Juarez and El Paso, Texas share the same border, and Juarez has a population of 1.5 million people, mainly because of the export factories resulting from the NAFTA pact between the U.S. and Mexico. These factories are also known as “maquilas”.

According to Mike Davis’ MAGICAL URBANISM Latinos Reinvent the US City, in discussing these border-town maquilas, he indicates that El Paso/Juarez has 1.5 million residents, and Tijuana/San Diego has 4.3 people. If that is the case, and assuming that both areas have the same “opportunities” (maquilas), then why is Juarez this hotbed of gang-related crime and femicide? Why isn’t it the same in Tijuana?

I very much enjoyed reading Mike Davis’ MAGICAL URBANISM Latinos Reinvent the US City. As a late (1953) baby-boomer, it is almost inconceivable to me that the United States will soon be a country where the Anglos will no longer be the largest population. Because of my age, I have had to adjust my thinking and have no problem with being a minority. In fact, chances are that I may never see that happen. However, if I do live that long, I will embrace the diversity that has become (will become) the United States. By that time, our country will have stepped up to the plate and most folks will be willing to admit that this country was never really ours to begin with, and that if we share it with others, then it we will be richer for it.