Japan: A Lesson for Mexico

Japan's Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, announced that, as part of special measures taken to reconstruct Japan after the terrible earthquake that struck this past March, his salary will be reduced by 30% while the ministers and vice-ministers will reduce their salary by 20%. More government employees will receive salary reductions if a special law passes, however, the Prime Minister and his cabinet has decided to take the pay cuts as soon as possible so that more money goes into the reconstruction. With these measures, they hope to collect 290 billion yens (about 2 billion 700 million euros) that would be invested in the reconstruction and infrastructure of northern Japan.

I do not know much of Noda nor of his policy in Japan, however, I find this action to be a bold move to support his country and to do his job well. His most important task is to finish the rebuilding process so that Japan can prosper and move on from the terrible devastation that took lives and shattered the economy. If money is what is needed to rebuild, what a better way to collect it than by reducing where they spend most: salaries. I am sure that this strong move by Noda and his cabinet will truly help Japan as everyone rebuilds and heals.

I consider Japan's actions to be a model for all to follow. In Mexico, people are suffering hunger and violence and the government is running out of money to provide for everything. And yet with this economical struggle, our senators and representatives give themselves higher salaries, bonuses, ipads, luxury vehicles and paid vacations as if Mexico was undergoing an economical boom. That money could be better spent to improve the public health care system, to provide the military and police force with better equipment, to improve education in public schools, to fix parks and public areas, to create better roads and highways, etc. The list of possible uses for this money is endless.

Perhaps Japan is an example Mexico can follow. If reductions were made in the salaries of those earning the most, we could invest that money and ensure that our country does not fall behind, does not stop developing, and Mexicans can have better lives.

The "Patronas" of Immigrants

The term patrona has several meanings. In masculine, it is used to refer to someone's boss or employer. In feminine, it has acquired the same meaning as the masculine as women are becoming leaders in business and obtaining positions of power. However, the oldest use of patrona is when you mention Mexico's Virgin of Guadalupe. She is the patrona or the boss of the people who so faithfully believe in her. She is the patrona because she helps people in need. The Basilica of Guadalupe, which is the most important church in Mexico, receives millions of believers to ask for a miracle, seek forgiveness, or to thank the patrona for her miracles. The term is very important, particularly in a country as religious as Mexico.

Due to the geographic location of Mexico, right at the border with the United States, many immigrants from central and south America have to cross the country in order to reach the border and have a chance for the infamous "american dream." For reasons unknown to me, immigration to Mexico is difficult, perhaps even more difficult than to the United States. Men and women from other countries that make the journey to the United States are considered criminals because Mexican laws make it almost impossible to enter the country legally. This journey, which lasts about a month, is a dangerous one because there are over 1500 kilometers, and immigrants must travel on top of cargo trains hiding from authorities. But jumping on moving trains is not the true danger. The danger is the threat of hunger, robbery, rape, and extortion from government authorities and drug cartels.

These men and women that want to get to the United States are suffering hunger and poverty in their home countries and they must work countless hours and borrow money from everyone in order to afford this voyage that can only be described as hell. They must have enough money to pay for food, bribe immigration authorities and, once at the border, pay someone to smuggle them into the United States. What they have is more than a fortune. It is all they have, all they owe, and the only opportunity for a better life. Because of this, they are targets of unmentionable crimes and are sometimes forced to involve themselves in criminal activities in order to stay alive.

Because of this, immigrants must face days and weeks of hunger. In the state of Veracruz, 25 brave women that live next to the railroad tracks have made it their mission to feed the immigrants traveling on trains. When trains pass, they throw bags of tacos to give people a better chance at surviving. And amazingly enough, these women who are doing this act of charity with the little money they have, run the risk of being arrested. Helping immigrants is illegal. It is illegal to save a man from dying of hunger, it is illegal to feed a pregnant woman that has no food, it is illegal to feed children that don't know when their next meal will be or if they will even live to see the border. But their work doesn't end there. The Patronas of immigrants also provide immigrants with information of shelters and human rights groups, they help the families that haven't heard of their loved one and come searching for a dead body, they are the voice of these immigrants in forums and with the authorities.

I don't think there could be a better name for these women. They are truly saviors. I am sure many people have survived the long journey thanks to their work, and many families have had closure at finding information of their lost relative. I hope they continue to have the support and liberty to continue helping and their good example is followed by others. If the Mexican authorities continue to ignore this clear violation of human rights, we must take a stand just like the Patronas.

In times of adversity...

In times of adversity, when the world seems to turn upside down and the light from the sun is too far in the distance, it is important that we remember that these problems, these difficulties, these heartaches are what make life life. Even problems dealing with health, money, love, and security are what make us, humans, such fortunate species. We are able to grief, we are able to worry, we are able to fix, and we are able to celebrate.

And with this in mind, I include E.E. Cummings poem "If."

If freckles were lovely, and day was night,

And measles were nice and a lie warn't a lie,

Life would be delight, --

But things couldn't go right

For in such a sad plight

I wouldn't be I.

If earth was heaven and now was hence,

And past was present, and false was true,

There might be some sense

But I'd be in suspense

For on such a pretense

You wouldn't be you.

If fear was plucky, and globes were square,

And dirt was cleanly and tears were glee

Things would seem fair, --

Yet they'd all despair,

For if here was there

We wouldn't be we.

Mandatory Education

The recent decisions made by the Mexican congress to make high school education mandatory for all students does little to help increase the overall level of education in the country. This attempt only demonstrates the little knowledge congress has on how the education system truly is.

First of all, I would like to point out that I am in favor of education and I truly believe education must be free and equal in opportunity for all. The poor quality in some public schools due to the over-population and lack of interest in some educators has given private schools the advantage. Sadly, this only means that the people who can afford such education have to right to it. Also, education must be mandatory, but I don't think that just because our elected legislators make this decision, it is correct. Education must be mandatory at home. Parents, grandparents and care-takers must give education the emphasis and importance it truly deserves so that a student, regardless of the laws and social restrictions, will finish his/her education and even go to college. The lack of respect towards schools and teachers is only taking away value from education and leaving schools to wonder how to motivate students. This problem, I am afraid, is not exclusive to Mexico.

I would also like to point out that instead of making laws that will only hinder the work of dedicated teachers (a great number of these does exist), lawmakers should focus on increasing the budget. I know this is a sensitive subject considering most governments around the world are more preoccupied with wars against an endless list of enemies, but, if the budget could be incremented and that money went directly to schools and not to the pockets of SEP directors, union leaders, and others, schools could invest more in material and maintenance. This would automatically create a better environment because students would see the importance of their education rather than apathy.

I think giving education a more important place in the budget and in our minds would truly help a country in such dire need of change. As we, mexicans, face the troubles of our current internal war (against drug dealers, among our lawmakers, among our businessmen, etc.), we must realize that education is the only true "cure" to this. We can fight with as many guns and apprehend as many criminals as we can, but if young people are not given the opportunity for another lifestyle, they will quickly fall into the hands of these criminals.

*Please read Ciro Murayama's opinion on this topic at the Universal website: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/editoriales/55245.html

Breakups...

Starting a relationship is a joyful adventure because everything is new. We enjoy the "getting-to-know-you process" where all conversations are fun and fresh. Most importantly, we savor the possibilities of finding "the" one person who will compliment us (well, some believe in completion but that is another topic). But, eventually, relationships end and people get hurt. Whether it is incompatibility or lack of confidence and braveness required to withstand the tests of time and the problems that plague all relationships, relationships end and we are left wondering what to do.

I think the hardest part of a breakup is the self-analysis. What did I do wrong? What happened? How could I prevent this? Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with him/her? We spend countless hours analyzing conversations, guessing, assuming and looking for the signs we missed. And of course, the inevitable conversation with friends and family about the break up and explaining what happened....and receiving the hurtful hug that tumbles down our fort of dignity and makes us cry.

Some time after the breakup, people will ask, "Was it a good breakup?" And the answer of course is NO. There is no such thing as a "good breakup." Someone always gets hurt regardless of the circumstances. Of course, there are people, both male and female, who can recover from a breakup in little time and are able to pick up the pieces. Perhaps they have more experience, more inner strength, or their dignity was hurt too much to let it show. Regardless of the case, there is no such thing as a good breakup. No one breaks up because they want to and feels joy afterwards. We hurt. We grieve. We cry. We temporarily hate.

...but we always move on!

Why?

Humans are by nature social creatures. We move and live in groups depending on our age and needs. When we are born, we cry when we do not see our mother. In school, we learn to socialize outside our home and discover the wonder of playing with friends as we discover friendship outside our home. During adolescence, we ignore our family and seek friends because they "understand." In college, particularly when you move away from home, friends really become family. We talk of parties and classes and relationships over breakfast late saturday morning (sometimes noon!). Friends comfort us when we fail an exam or have a broken heart. Friends (at least those who are true friends) support us when we have to have less fun to get better grades. Farther along in the future, our own families become our social network. A spouse, children, grandmothers and cousins are our world and the cycle continues for future generations.

Knowing this, it is hard for me to understand how we can be so close minded when it comes to making new friends. Once we have our circle of friends, no one can come in and the one who steers away is a traitor. I live in what, as far as I know, is the most populated city in the world. I am surrounded by people all the time yet it seems that the larger the city, the lonelier life can get. In small cities, new people are a novelty and are the most sought after friends while in larger cities, strangers are just that, strangers. We live inside our bubble where only our "circle of trust" can come in.

Why do we do this? Why can't a large city be open to new people? Why do we choose to live inside our bubbles and reject all those who try to break through? In a world connected with smart phones and social networks and messengers, why do we reject friendship when it is right in front of us?

Educating is not teaching...

I am truly amazed at the changes education and pedagogy are making. Not too long ago, the purpose of a teacher was to transfer his or her knowlwdge to the students so that they could make meaning out of it. The teacher, along with the text book, were the only sources of knowledge. A teacher was respected regardless of the treatment he or she gave by students and parents.

Nowadays, teachers are not the source of information nor should their job be seen as transmitors of knowledge. Today, a teacher is a mediator of knowledge and a learner. Teachers do not give information, but rather help students find the information by teaching skills. Whether these skills are meant for research or analyzing, everything students learn must be provided by and taylored for the students. What amazes me even more is the importance of helping students understand their learning process. Students need to rationalize how they learn so that the can become independent learners. Like a professor of mine says, "Students must learn despite their teachers."

This new perspective of education allows the teacher to become a student as well. While I've been working at my current school, I feek like I have learned more than I had before. Discussions with my students have given me a new perspective on many topics. I have observed that my students benefit more from the discusssions they have than from any type of information I can give them. And with the new program I am involved with, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory, I am on the right track as a modern and effective mediator. I was not fortunate enough to have experimented these new theories and perspectives, but I can take advantage of them now just like my students do.

Could this be the way to improve this crazy world we live in? I am certain the answer is yes.

Wise Words

I have always believed in the power of words. Words, phrases, poetry, prose always have an ability to transcend time and give meaning, strength, and a new perspective to the world. Perhaps this is the reason why I ardently read and attempt to write. Words are powerful and magical and through words, I make meaning of this crazy yet beautiful world we live in. Writing our thoughts is an important part in the quest to analyze and improve ourselves because every great and terrible idea began as a thought in someone's mind. When we write our thoughts down, we make them words and those words can become the actions that forever change our lives. It was a thought of equality that allowed Martin Luther King to fight, a thought of peace that gave Gandhi the motivation, a thought of hate that gave the countless dictators the motivation to create hate.

These are just some of the reasons why I think we should always be careful about what we think, say and write. Our brains are capable of such beautiful dreams and such terrible nightmares. When I come across words that touch my heart, I like to write them down. This gives me the possibility to go back to them and think and reflect. Today, while I was reading such phrases, I came across sweet words that a friend once told me. I don't remember the occasion, but these words were the right amount of medicine I needed. My dear friend, who lives far away and who I have not seen in years, once told me "People get what they deserve and you, my love, only deserve the best."

I am such a fortunate person to be surrounded by people whose words in books and in conversation give me strength years after they've said them. We should be careful with what we say and who we say it to. We would be better people if we chose our words wisely and acted upon them with even more wisdom. I don't know if this post makes sense. I don't even know what the purpose of it was. I guess all I can say is thank you to all the people whose words make a difference in our lives, in our cities, in our countries and in our world. Thank you to everyone who fights for a better tomorrow with words rather than guns.