I might get some flack over this, but here goes...
Mexico City's iconic boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma, is dotted with traffic circles or roundabouts (known as "glorietas" in Spanish), some of which have monuments. One of those "glorietas" had a monument to Christopher Columbus. A few years ago, the statue of Columbus was removed and barricades placed around the empty pedestal. Given Columbus's treatment of the native tribes, and the fact that Mexico still has a sizeable indigenous population, I can understand that. Around the same time, near the town of Amajac in the state of Veracruz, a pre-Hispanic statue of a woman, possibly a goddess or a ruler of the Huastec tribe, was discovered. It became known as "The Young Woman of Amajac". Plans were made to make a replica of that image and place it where Columbus used to be.
In the meantime, feminist groups took over the "glorieta". They put a two-dimensional, metal figure of a woman with a clenched fist atop the pedestal. They covered the barricades with the names of women who have been victims of violence... murder, rape or disappearance. They proclaimed the traffic circle to be the "Glorieta de Mujeres que Luchan" (The "Glorieta" of Women who Fight). Several attempts to remove the metal statue resulted in conflicts between officials and demonstrators. In February of last year, Claudia Scheinbaum, the President-elect who was then the chief executive of Mexico City, agreed that the "glorieta" could remain as it is.
In July of last year, the replica of the Young Woman of Amajac was erected on a basalt pedestal to the side of the "glorieta". It too is surrounded by barricades that are covered with feminist graffitti.
The anger of Mexican women over the violence against them, and the lack of justice in pursuing and punishing the perpetrators, is certainly justified. But, I'm sorry, this metal statue and the barricades simply look cheap, ugly, and trashy. The victims deserve a monument that is more dignified and more permanent. Why can't the Woman of Amajac... a powerful woman... an indigenous woman... represent the struggle for justice for Mexican women?
One of the things one learns living in Mexico is that it is not our country, except to enjoy and live in, but not ours to criticize no matter what it is.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but many Mexicans, including Alejandro, have the same opinion.
DeleteI suspect that the reason for the "graffitti" is that since their voices are not being heard, they want their message to be seen. Perhaps more men should be angry about the violence against women.
ReplyDeleteGayle
Agreed, but will the graffitti turn more people off to their message?
DeleteIf their message is stopping the violence against women and getting justice for those who have been victimized, how could someone ignore or disagree with that?
ReplyDeleteGayle
The more militant members resort to violence themselves especially during the annual Women's March. I'm not saying that their rage is not understandable, but is it undermining their cause?
DeleteWhat do you think they should do to raise awareness?
DeleteGayle
With massive women's marches, the awareness has definitely been raised. It's up to the government to start doing something. Maybe the new woman President will start taking some real action instead of just issuing platitudes.
DeleteThe government won't do anything until more people demand a change and it's to the politician's political advantage to actually do something. Women have been fighting for equal rights for a very long time.
DeleteGayle
Yeah, but this is Mexico, not the U.S.
DeleteWomen here did not even receive the vote here until 1953, and machismo, although not as entrenched as before, remains a part of the culture.
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