Michelle Malkin » Oaxacan Activists to Migrant Workers: Please Come Home

Oaxacan Activists to Migrant Workers: Please Come Home

By see-dubya • April 18, 2008 03:23 PM

Though the Mexican government infamously provides prospective illegal immigrants with maps of the Arizona desert, there are occasionally voices that take a different view. One of them is an indigenous-rights activist group in the state of Oaxaca, which was touring day-labor camps in San Diego this week:

When migrants return to their communities with American clothes, cars and money, people see the benefit of coming to the U.S., but they don’t realize the dangers and hardships that migrants face, she said.

“We want to let people know the suffering people go through and to look for alternatives” to migration, Maldonado said.

When I hear that her group is called the “Frente Indigena Binacional Oaxaqueno”, I start to wonder about what those “alternatives” might entail. But here’s a pleasant surprise:

Vazquez said she hopes her visit will spark interest in a plan to create jobs at home by starting small companies that produce Oaxacan crafts, textiles and traditional food for export to the U.S.

“We may be poor in economic terms, but we are rich in culture and natural resources,” Vazquez said.

A group advocating entrepreneurship as a solution to immigration problems? Outstanding! That will be an especially difficult project in Mexico’s regulatory environment and corruption, but I wish them the best.

Now, looking through this translated report of FIOB’s goals, I get the feeling that they’re probably not about to join hands with the Minutemen and sing folk songs. But entrepreneurship, together with an honest assessment that the situation of migrants in America is difficult and that this is just not a healthy relationship for Mexico and Mexicans, gives their activism a little more credibility than that of Juan Hernandez. These guys know that that migrant labor is being shamefully exploited, and they’re also aware (and willing to point out) that the Mexican government doesn’t always have their best interest at heart.

What I don’t hear yet is a recognition of the distinction between legal and illegal migrant labor that drives their opposition. Still, baby steps…

UPDATE: Tangentially related–after the dramatic success (heh) of this fall’s series of anti-war movies, the Wash Times says Hollywood has learned its lesson and is moving on to something Americans are gonna love…

Both “Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna)” and “The Visitor” are focused intently on putting a sympathetic human face on illegal immigration. However, in the process of trying to coerce us into rooting for their illegal-immigrant protagonists, they create unconvincing, idealized characters and oversimplify the vastly complex immigration issue.

…

Both “The Visitor” and “Under the Same Moon” answer stereotypes with stereotypes and favor cheap shots over nuanced arguments and fine-grained insights. Their filmmakers forget that it’s impossible to disarm the opposing side by dodging it or caricaturing it; the opponent has to be authentically engaged, as do the supporters.

Myriad films about illegal immigration are on the horizon, including the promising titles “Paraiso Travel,” “Padre Nuestro” and “Crossing Over.” If they want to help audiences really explore the issues, they’ll have to remember that God is in the details, not the sweeping generalizations and oversimplifications.

I can’t wait!

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#1

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:37 pm, amerpun said:

Vazquez said she hopes her visit will spark interest in a plan to create jobs at home by starting small companies that produce Oaxacan crafts, textiles and traditional food for export to the U.S.

Excellent.
#2

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm, cpodug said:

Oh, by the way, DLTDHYITAOTWO
#3

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm, brooklyn red said:

“A group advocating entrepreneurship as a solution to immigration problems? Outstanding!”

A group advocating entrepreneurship as a solution to any kinda problems? Outstanding! Gee, can we get some of them into Congress?
#4

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm, tre said:

I wish them luck.
#5

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm, Trollman said:

brooklyn red said:

A group advocating entrepreneurship as a solution to any kinda problems? Outstanding! Gee, can we get some of them into Congress?

No, no! We want them to continue to advocate entrepreneurship. Keep them far from Washington. =)
#6

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:53 pm, bloghooligan said:

jeez. you know entrepreneurship is against the party rules.
#7

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:58 pm, AlohaGuy said:

Vazquez said she hopes her visit will spark interest in a plan to create jobs at home by starting small companies that produce Oaxacan crafts, textiles and traditional food for export to the U.S.

“We may be poor in economic terms, but we are rich in culture and natural resources,” Vazquez said.

Huge in terms of attitude. And traditional, high-quality indigenous items can command a price premium because they aren’t mass produced. Love it.
#8

On April 18th, 2008 at 3:58 pm, Morgan said:

One of the best solutions I’ve ever heard to the problem of illegal immigration, a solution that nips the problem in the bud.

America and especially Mexico need more solutions like this.
#9

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm, maurelius said:

Problem is the Mexican government then needs to liberalize the economy. They will be working hard and maybe making ends meet and living but most people want to thrive not just survive.

However, this is a step in the right direction. I am sure a lot of those workers are away from their wives and children.

I talked with a bartender from around Mexico City and he told me he has wife and children back at home. A whole lot of social pathos can happen in these situations.
#10

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:04 pm, tre said:

Hopefully, they won’t listen to Barack HUSSEIN Obama’s “Bootstrap Myth”.
Because, it’s amazing what one can do when one doesn’t know it can’t be done.
#11

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm, brooklyn red said:

apacherat said:
“I will bet you that the Oaxacan activists Jose Gonzalez, Bernardo Ramirez and Centelia Maldonado are illegaly here in the USA right now“.

So they can’t be in Congress… oh well.
#12

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm, see-dubya said:

Apacherat’s comment went away. The transvestite-prostitute remark and the Mexican jumping bean analogies were over the line. And Jose Gonzales is an American citizen.
#13

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, PBoilermaker said:

I thought “There Will Be Blood” was a movie about unchecked illegal immigration.

I was wrong.
#14

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, cpodug said:

Myriad films about illegal immigration are on the horizon

Gee – I haven’t been to a theatrical movie in over 20 years! what will I do? All these choices coming along!

Decisions, decisions.
#15

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:19 pm, bananny said:

This article was from my local paper and doncha know that I nearly fell over dead when read the story? I mean, c’mon…..Mexicans wanting CHANGE….in MEXICO???

And it being printed here in SoCal?

Criminy! (Entirely TOO much to take in before even having poured a cup of coffee, that’s for sure…we don’t get too much encouraging news on the illegal alien front from this particular newspaper.)
#16

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, AlohaGuy said:

including the promising titles “Paraiso Travel,” “Padre Nuestro” and “Crossing Over.”

Isn’t Hollywood missing the obvious title – “Reconquista!”? But really, I love the attitude of this group.
#17

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, 24Klady said:

I would think that many of the anchor babies would be of tremendous help to their relatives starting small businesses back home. They’ve been educated, know the art of how to apply themselves in the work place and could lend great support in marketing of those products.
#18

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm, spo-con said:

I really hope this idea works for them. Sounds good…….
#19

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, jtex said:

cpodug said:
Oh, by the way, DLTDHYITAOTWO

I see you’re a man of few words but you do get the point across.

By the way, another Navy vet here, Seabees, Danang,Vietnam ’68-’69

.
#20

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm, apacherat said:

It may have seemed over the line but it was a comment that is fact.My actual observations. Ask any one who lives near one of the migrant camps in North San Diego, all of there stories may sound over the line.

Or how about this N.Y. Times story. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDC163AF93BA35750C0A964958260
AIDS Is Following Mexican Migrant Workers Back Home From the U.S.

Even at isolated migrant labor camps, drug-using prostitutes might show up on paydays. In Watsonville, Calif., near the heart of an agricultural area, AIDS-prevention advocates there say that prostitutes and transvestite homosexuals gather at a dozen or more bars frequented by the Mexican laborers.

The Sex Fields of San Diego -> http://www.cwfa.org/articles/3898/BLI/dotcommentary/index.htm

Or this-> NBC Report On San Diego Migrant Encampments
http://www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=2229
#21

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:38 pm, cpodug said:

jtex – 1962-84, esws
#22

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm, abc123 said:

Pro-Illegal Immigrant movies? Doesn’t surprise me. After all, this is Hollywood’s last chance to get Roman Polanski back in the U.S..
#23

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:40 pm, DougT said:

@ brooklyn red #3,

What do entrepreneurs know about job creation? If they were good at it, then why are they working for themselves?

You usually need a POTUS or a Congress for the all-important job creation task.
#24

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:47 pm, shooter said:

As long as they’re so anti-American and the Clintons have fallen from any grace extended thru hollywierd, lets suggest a movie I would watch;
The Clinton Body Count.
That would be a good movie (and a long one)
#25

On April 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm, Ogre said:

Wow, to think the only movies I was looking forward to at this point were the last 2 Harry Potter movies. I’m sure these will flop worse than the anti war movies, considering that most American citizens agree we need to fix illegal immigration, not condone it.
#26

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, steveegg said:

No wonder why Hollyweird has to charge an arm and a leg to get box revenues to keep up with inflation.
#27

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:08 pm, bit_boy said:

…starting small companies that produce Oaxacan crafts, textiles and traditional food for export to the U.S.

First product for export, corn husk tamales in a can with chili sauce, yum! Where are they going to get the bucks for a canning factory. Why, how about a partnership with DelMonte or some such.
#28

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm, TXRose said:

In my experience, Hollywood won’t be able to do any better with movies about
illegal immigrants than they have been doing with war movies lately. They don’t get
it any more than Pelosi and Reid. You have to be waaaaaay more unbiased than the
Hollywood types are, to make a coherent, thought provoking movie. You can just
mug the audience and expect them agree with you afterward.
#29

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pm, Ordinary Coloradan said:

More please – and faster.
#30

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm, TXRose said:

you can’t just mug……

need to preview
#31

On April 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pm, Boomer said:

I for one am all for this program. To the illegal invaders as they start self deporting back home, Bye Bye Now! Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.
#32

On April 18th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, JohnnyDilznik said:

I have a great movie about what to do with Mexican politicians. “Man on Fire” with Denzel Washington is a great way to deal with these dirtbags. Now we just need the same type of movie but substitute US politicians and gang bang’in idiots.
#33

On April 18th, 2008 at 7:31 pm, Frantic Freddie said:

On April 18th, 2008 at 5:08 pm, bit_boy said:

First product for export, corn husk tamales in a can with chili sauce, yum!

Canned tamales are awful,I know.Frozen can be alright,but it’s the type of food that really has to be made fresh.

“Corn husk tamales” is redundant,all tamales are made with corn husks.
#34

On April 18th, 2008 at 8:04 pm, TXRose said:

Frantic Freddie…We send our son who now lives in VA regular care packages from
Hot Damn Tamales. He knows his tamales and loves these. They are shipped
almost overnight and taste fantastic!
I would love to see independent or village businesses start up all over Mexico but
I have a feeling that with all of the corruption, they will be gone almost before
getting started.
#35

On April 18th, 2008 at 11:59 pm, everett_mansfield said:

Mexico go home.

Pope go home.
#36

On April 19th, 2008 at 12:41 am, TBinSTL said:

I really wish Mark was still posting…Does anybody know if he’s even still alive?
#37

On April 19th, 2008 at 1:26 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

Though the Mexican government infamously provides prospective illegal immigrants with maps of the Arizona desert

I’m sure there are Americans more than willing to help with that as well for the big $$
#38

On April 19th, 2008 at 1:27 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

Whoops….the box got reversed, Top sentence is MM’s, bottom is mine.
#39

On April 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am, pgtips said:

I watched the The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada recently and boy was the pro-illegal immigrant sentiment strong in that film. I don’t know how I managed it, but I did finish watching it and that caused me to google Tommy Lee Jones’ political leanings.

Guess I wasn’t surprised by what I found …
#40

On April 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am, marsouin said:

Yes, illegal immigration simply subsidizes the political corruption in the host country which simply exports its deficiencies onto the US. Do the pro-illegal forces in the care? No, it’s all about US politics: lust for power.
#41

On April 19th, 2008 at 10:56 am, Storm Chaser said:

Unless they made money overseas, recent anti -war movies have been losers in the United States. Illegal immigration movies will likely lose more money.

Is the movie industry so rich these movies are producers way of tithing?

Tommy Lee Jones’ political leanings don’t surprise me. I believe he and Al Gore were college room mates.
#42

On April 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm, TXRose said:

He and Gore were roommates in college ( TLJ must have been so bored!!). I rather
enjoyed the Three Burials and I am not pro illegal immigration. Mexico really would
not want these little businesses to thrive because this could cut off all the Gringo
Money coming into the country.
#43

On April 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pm, chipbennett said:

Having spent much time in Oaxaca, I can attest that the Oaxacan people are amazing, as is their beautiful – if impoverished – state.

(See chipbennett.net/missions/ for my photos from time spent there.)

Oaxaca is the second poorest state in Mexico, and has next to no industrial infrastructure; yet many Oaxacans show an industrious spirit nonetheless.

The state has excellent potential to develop a high-quality coffee industry, and the region is well-known for its handcrafts. Finally, an emerging tourism industry is growing, especially in Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.

Cheers to Oaxaca!
#44

On April 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm, chipbennett said:

@Frantic Freddie

Not true; tamales are also made wrapped in banana leaves (especially those made in Oaxaca).