| Search: |
MCC Border Encounter reveals faces behind the forces
By Bethany Spicher BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Carolina was 17 years old when she migrated north to take a job loading trucks at a maquila, or factory, on the U.S.-Mexico border. Day after day, Carolina labored until 3 in the afternoon without a break. Her boss claimed that no one could stop for lunch until an entire truck was full. One day at noon Carolina stopped working and went to the cafeteria for lunch. Soon her boss found her and told her to go back to the truck. Carolina looked him in the eye. "No," she said quietly, "My contract says that I have a break at noon." Her boss went to get his supervisor. Camilla told him the same thing. The supervisor called the director of three maquilas, who came to the cafeteria and threatened to fire Carolina. "That’s fine," Carolina said calmly, "Just write down the reason you’re firing me and the date, as required by law." The next day, all the workers had lunch at noon. Stories of apparent weakness overcoming apparent strength were a theme during the MCC Faces of Globalization Border Encounter, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, in South Texas. Twelve MCC staff and board members spent two days visiting maquilas and colonias, unincorporated settlements where factory workers and others live, and attended the annual conference of the Unidad Cristiana de Iglesias Menonitas (UCIM) in Brownsville. What the MCC group found behind labor violations in the maquilas and unpaved roads in the colonias were small groups of co-workers or neighbors – mostly women – meeting in homes, learning the laws and approaching the authorities together using low-profile, nonviolent tactics. "What really stuck with me was the women on both sides of the border who are seeking a better situation for their children," says Maricela Bejar, West Coast MCC service program administrator. "Their determination was refreshing and affirming." The MCC group also heard the perspectives of border patrol officers and immigration and detention agents, who presented the talking points of their organizations, but also discussed the logistical and bureaucratic challenges of their jobs. The agents often refused to answer hard questions from the group, deflecting responsibility for injustices to lawmakers and ultimately to the people of the United States. "It was such a humanizing trip for me," says Karin Kauffman Wall, peace and justice coordinator for MCC Central States, "To realize that the Border Patrol is just as human as I am, just as human as the people crossing the border." The Border Encounter concluded at the annual UCIM conference to hear the stories of the Mennonite churches in South Texas, and to share in their reflections about the effects of globalization and other forces on the border. Participants mentioned unjust trade laws that depress crop prices in Mexico and force farmers to migrate north, and unscrupulous employers who take advantage of the flood of workers and lack of regulations in developing countries to maximize profits. In addition, conference-goers discussed the impact of increasingly harsh U.S. immigration policy and racism. "I know that most of what we do in our churches is just a reaction to globalization," said Lupe Aguilar, pastor of Iglesia Menonita Rey de Gloria, whose members share food, lodging and job training with their undocumented neighbors. "But I also know that there are people here who are wanderers, and that God has given us opportunity to serve each other." Gilberto Flores, director of leadership development for Mennonite Church USA, was the conference’s keynote speaker. "Globalization is like a monster with a thousand heads," he said, "and all we have to fight it is our prophetic voice." While acknowledging the benefits of globalization, Flores criticized the consumerism and militarism he believes it demands and the unequal gains it delivers, and he encouraged the churches to find strength in each other. "If our faith doesn’t impact the way we live in community, it’s not Christianity." The conference highlight was a panel that included a labor rights activist and a maquila manager who had grown up in a UCIM church, Iglesia Menonita del Cordero. Instead of arguing, the two reflected honestly on the plight of maquila workers. The congregation was hushed as the activist shared Camilla’s story of resistance. Tears glistened on a few faces as the supervisor struggled to answer questions from his former church family, acknowledged the low wages and poor living conditions of his workers and finally asked the church to help facilitate conversation between maquila workers and supervisors. "When we create spaces for dialogue, righteousness and peace will meet," said Luzdy Stucky, Peace and Justice Coordinator for West Coast MCC. "Our collective learning is an offering to God." Bethany Spicher is a legislative associate at the MCC U.S. Washington Office. |
|
|
