Chiapas

Last week we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Thomas Klak and viewing the documentary "Life and Debt" focusing upon the impact of international market forces in Jamaica. The documentary showcased the ramifications of free trade upon workers in Jamaica in response to the commercialization of indigenous industries - principally local banana and dairy production - and the exploitation of human labor in Western "free zone" factories.

... please check out http://witnessforpeace.org/

The photo is an aerial view of San Cristobal de las Casas, the city where we will be staying.

(In only 3 days!!)

Elena Jackson’s insightful presentation concerning the reconstruction of values following the Mexican Revolution exposed the ways in which the government targeted and stratified the population, particularly children. Despite the desire to create an inclusive, classless society, radio programming from the 1920’s through the 1930’s worked (inadvertently or deliberately) to socialize children into traditional socioeconomic roles. For example, those programs that demanded participation in the form of “homework” had the best response from those children in the middle and upper classes.

This was an interesting lecture because Bruce brought up two main issues that we can analyze further in Chiapas; the land rights and abuses the people are facing, and more broadly the use of protest politics in the face of problems.

Welcome to the blog site for the 2008 Miami University Students for Peace and Justice Delegation to Chiapas Mexico!