This past Monday, I got up searching for the results of the elections in Mexico. I was born there and haven't lived there for almost 25 years. I got shivers when I realized Mexico had its first woman president. I was extremely excited—a Jewish woman as the president of a macho Catholic country! It felt like a huge breakthrough. I thought of all the girls whose possibilities were expanded by this fact. I was genuinely touched and started asking friends and acquaintances about their experiences. I wanted to hear how it has been received and how they are feeling about the news~!?
I didn’t know details about the candidates or parties involved, and it seems I lived in a different political era from what is going on now. I need to disclaim that since 2006/7, when the war on drugs happened, when the Mexican military intervened, and when the government's main objective was to reduce drug-related violence, a war started—not a publicized one like nowadays. I stopped reading the news; it was creating a lot of anxiety for me, knowing that my family was there. So, I shifted to hearing about life there just from them and friends.
For me, the valuable nugget was that the journey of women's liberation in Mexico was advancing—not that I think being a president is the solution, actually far from that. But consider this:
Women gained the right to vote in municipal elections in 1947 and in national elections in 1953.
Legalization of abortion in Mexico City in 2007 up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, with other states gradually following.
Implementation of laws against domestic violence, such as the General Law on Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence in 2007.
Strong presence of feminist groups and activists advocating for gender equality, fighting against femicide, and raising awareness on issues such as the Ni Una Menos (Not One Less) movement.
And nonetheless, the violence towards women is huge, overtly and in very subtle ways. There is still a long journey to move forward.
One key learning from this day was that the change of perspective definitely affects the story we choose to tell. It's not the same when you are in the center of the hurricane or when you are seeing it from afar.
And the other one is that no matter what, we have to keep reclaiming our own sovereignty, instead of waiting for one person to change our environment or life. We have to show up for what is ours to take responsibility for.
Ooooooooooommmmmmexico! I love you and always will, even when sometimes you bring such polarizing emotions.
Sigh... this is part of what life in exile looks and feels like!
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