The maquiladora problem is very troubling. As a working mom, I would do anything to feed
my children. I can see how these workers
fell into the trap of “having a better life” by joining their work force. Michael Moore visited Juarez at the onset of
the maquiladoras. The people were
promised riches. Fifteen years later he
went back and the devastating poverty was still the same. Who benefitted from this? - rich American
Corporations, of course. I have been to
Juarez, in the 1990’s. I remember the
desperate poverty everywhere. The vendors in the village practically begged us
to come by their stands and purchase their items. I have read about the murders, dismembering,
thousands of women missing, drug cartels, police inaction, etc. It is all a giant warzone. Yet these loyal, hardworking women, battle
through this monotonous work every single day and risk their own lives.
In my search for more information on the Maquiladoras I
found this video I wanted to share with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02OPq3hW2Vo
I use MAC cosmetics. After
watching this I found other articles pertaining to this partnership with MAC
and Rodarte Fashion. MAC, for some
obscure reason has modeled this new line after the “femicide” in Juarez, with
actual eyeshadow that is blood stained color, named “Sleepwalker” or nail
polish color called “Factory.” How can the corporate collective judgement be this poor? Approximately 5,000 women have been
murdered in Juarez alone. Reasons for the killings
remain a mystery but two possible motives given are: males are deemed more valuable since there is
an overabundance of women in Juarez, many of the women do not make enough money
to support themselves or their families adequately and have to resort to the
sex trade to earn more. This whole situation is utterly sickening.
Work cited:
FunkySouls13. Michael
Moore-las maquiladoras en Mexico. Youtube.
7 December 2009. Web. 6 December 2012.
“Mac For Rodarte.”
Words Fail Me. 18 July 2010. Wordpress.
Web. 6 December 2012.
Wildcatmakeup. MAC
Cosmetics-One Step Too Far?
Youtube. 15 July 2012. Web. 6
December 2012.
Hi Cathy, well stated my heart just breaks when I read and article of watch a video about women who struggle to survive in an impoverish land. I remember thinking how would I handle it if I were faced with the choices that these women face. It's so easy for people to get caught up in their world and pretend this does not exist but as a woman it troubles me deeply. I will never stop fighting for women's rights.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your studies and congrats on your graduation
Sandra Holman
Thank you Sandra! Yes, I also feel that way about these things that many just tend to brush off. I am so thankful I chose TWU to finish my degree. The composition of my degree allowed me to take things that interested me - and Women's Studies were one of them. Those classes totally changed me.
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