Migration is still another problem. With its proximity to the United States, many people flood into Ciudad Juarez with the hopes of working at US plants or crossing the border illegally and finding work there. Many of those interviewed bring out the fact that women get hired for those jobs more than men do (because they come from a culture where women are trained from birth to be docile), creating a disparity between the sexes that causes any number of problems in the home. This increases the incidence of domestic violence.
The film brings out the fact that free trade (North American Free Trade Agreement) causes friction and Mexico is totally unprotected. Globalization has hurt many smaller nations, and I can see where that's starting to hit home in the United States now as jobs are outsourced and benefits fade away. Mexico, once a country that was known for corn harvests, now imports corn, a move that put over a million independent farmers out of business.
In addition to putting together a presentation about an important problem that simply isn't getting enough attention, Hise has produced a moving body of work. His camera becomes our eyes, and he triggers the questions we have as we learn more about the murders and the conditions that exist in Ciudad Juarez.
I certainly got more than I'd intended when I asked to review this DVD. It's something that's going to stay with me for a long time, and probably something I'm going to write about again.
In the meantime, read up on the problem. You'll find that women's rights are largely ignored in many African countries, too, which is why the United Nations is putting embargoes against them. But the scary part is that eventually this kind of treatment isn't going to be localized in certain parts of the world, but will be a global phenomenon. And one that isn't limited to sex, race, or religion.
Article comments
1 - Katie McNeill
I'm so glad that I read this. I've never even heard about this problem and I'm glad that you have expanded my view of the world. I'll have to look some more into this as well. I just had no idea.
2 - Mohjho
At the Chico State campus three years ago, some group posted the names of all known victims from Ciudad Juarezon on a fence stretching for 30 or 40 yards.
Made quite an impression.
This is obviously a political problem sense no real investigation has been permitted.