Chapter 10 Speaking Truth to Power


In a time of so much corruption for the sake of power, it was really incredible to read the true strength and real power through the words of those who fought against unjust treatment as citizens of Mexico. Video 10.1 of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo demanding information about their children was heart-shaking. I don't speak Spanish, but I could still hear what they had to say by the chilling passion in their voices. People not previously involved in politics were pushed to the edge by the cruel and terrifying events happening to their neighbors and loved ones.
The government dealt with uprisings like this in the most backhanded way, forming false opinions and painting groups such as the Madres as "crazy".
It's interesting how much documentation played a role in the search for truth/justice. The contrast between Figure 10.5 and Figure 10.6 really illustrates how deeply the misrepresentation ran.
An image of the fallen victim with and without a gun has such different implications. The man turns from an innocent victim, to a threat or danger.
The government was covering up its dirty work, skewing the truth of events to the public. The reality was finally revealed when the video by Fernando Rocha was released, and the sheer brutality of the massacre was seen. I guess the best way to backfire against biased media like this is to show evidence otherwise. It makes me upset how manipulative people are of the media (then as well as today). Photography/News Articles/Video are the most direct way to transmit mass messages and a lot of the time these messages are inaccurate, and biased.
It is interesting to read the back story on how/when/why the kidnappings and violence have occurred. Growing up in California and Arizona, I was always encouraged not to visit Mexico because "I'd be kidnapped" or hear "true stories" about people's relatives who left on vacation and never came back. I feel like a lot of this, despite the real danger, is negative stereotypes that exist near the border.