This page of our site will be an update onto what each student is taking away from the class. We will ask different students what the top three things they've learned so far and post it on here.
Before the Trip
1. I have learned that NAFTA has not been all that helpful to Mexico and it's people and that it has hurt more than helped.
2. I have had the opportunity to learn more about the Zapatistas and how they are fighting the government for their indigenous rights.
3. I have learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico that normally really don't receive recognition otherwise.
Taylor
2. I have had the opportunity to learn more about the Zapatistas and how they are fighting the government for their indigenous rights.
3. I have learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico that normally really don't receive recognition otherwise.
Taylor
1. That the United States has relied on immigrant labor since the colonization of America. Also, that the U.S. has relied on Mexican and Central American immigration before World War II. That there were programs sponsored by the United States to bring Mexican workers to the U.S. before there were such strict laws against immigration from Mexico.
2. The Zapatistas movement started in Chiapas, Mexico and is lead by Subcomandante Marcos who was college professor.
3. There are protests going on due to President Enrique Pena Nieto, because he is trying to reform the education laws in Mexico.
Steven
2. The Zapatistas movement started in Chiapas, Mexico and is lead by Subcomandante Marcos who was college professor.
3. There are protests going on due to President Enrique Pena Nieto, because he is trying to reform the education laws in Mexico.
Steven
1. I think one of the things I've learned the most is that there's more to immigration than what we hear on the media. I was not aware of the economic reasons and the struggles that they go through on a day to day basis.
2. Another thing I've learned is that the U.S is helping supply guns for the drug cartels (gun trafficking). I was unaware that we were aiding the violence down there and I certainly think we need to fix that.
3. I also learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico. I never really thought about the fact that they had any. When I did, all of the mistreatment just makes me sick. It's truly an unfortunate circumstance and I wish we could help it.
Jackie
2. Another thing I've learned is that the U.S is helping supply guns for the drug cartels (gun trafficking). I was unaware that we were aiding the violence down there and I certainly think we need to fix that.
3. I also learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico. I never really thought about the fact that they had any. When I did, all of the mistreatment just makes me sick. It's truly an unfortunate circumstance and I wish we could help it.
Jackie
1. How the acquisition of the Mexican territory really came about. I think in other they made it seem like the Mexicans attacked the U.S and we fought back and acquired the land, when in reality, we were kind of poking at them to acquire that territory.
2. How much NAFTA had an impact on the Mexican indigenous people causing more migration to the States.
3. I learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico and their history. Its interesting to see the comparison of the native people of mexico and the similarities of our native Americans.
Nicole
2. How much NAFTA had an impact on the Mexican indigenous people causing more migration to the States.
3. I learned more about the indigenous people of Mexico and their history. Its interesting to see the comparison of the native people of mexico and the similarities of our native Americans.
Nicole
1. What I have learned the most is that Mexican immigration to the United States is not entirely caused by the Mexican government. The United States, and in particular NAFTA, are some of the main reasons why Mexicans are risking their lives to come to the States.
2. I have also learned about the struggles that the indigenous people in Mexico face. And how the indigenous based group called, The Zapatistas movement, are rising up against the government to fight for land reform and other laws which would protect their sacred culture.
3. Before this class I never knew that the United States was supplying most of the weapons for cartel violence in Mexico.
Andrew
2. I have also learned about the struggles that the indigenous people in Mexico face. And how the indigenous based group called, The Zapatistas movement, are rising up against the government to fight for land reform and other laws which would protect their sacred culture.
3. Before this class I never knew that the United States was supplying most of the weapons for cartel violence in Mexico.
Andrew
1. The most shocking thing to me was how NAFTA has really affected Mexico. I have heard about NAFTA in the past but never really learned about it. It is really shocking how negatively NAFTA effects the indigenous people, but nobody does anything about it.
2. Just everything about the indigenous people in general, i had no idea that they made up such a large population of Mexico.
3. How the United States basically is to blame for going to war with Mexico against territory because we started it and got under their skin, and once they protected themselves we made them look bad.
Vicky
2. Just everything about the indigenous people in general, i had no idea that they made up such a large population of Mexico.
3. How the United States basically is to blame for going to war with Mexico against territory because we started it and got under their skin, and once they protected themselves we made them look bad.
Vicky
1. One of the first things we learned that I found interesting is that the indigenous people of Mexico are fighting for their rights, similar to what some of the minorities in the U.S. have had to do. Indigenous people in Mexico have been severely hurt by the NAFTA agreement and are trying to get what they lost back through movements like the Zapatistas.
2. The citizens just want to be able to grow their own crops for money. Most really don't want to come to the United States but have little choice. Usually they have no desire to stay in the U.S. and would rather be with their families and making money in their own country, but because crossing the boarder is so harsh, it does not happen as often as they would like.
3. The violence in Mexico is different from what we see on the news. They have corruption in the government and that has led to police brutality towards protesters, but also their war on drugs has increased the violence in many ways, and the United States involvement is only contributing to the madness.
Rachel
2. The citizens just want to be able to grow their own crops for money. Most really don't want to come to the United States but have little choice. Usually they have no desire to stay in the U.S. and would rather be with their families and making money in their own country, but because crossing the boarder is so harsh, it does not happen as often as they would like.
3. The violence in Mexico is different from what we see on the news. They have corruption in the government and that has led to police brutality towards protesters, but also their war on drugs has increased the violence in many ways, and the United States involvement is only contributing to the madness.
Rachel
1. I was never aware of the division that exists between the indigenous people of Mexico and the European descendants.
2. How NAFTA and other American policies have hurt the Mexican economy and nation as a whole.
3. I was unaware of the non-violent social movements in Mexico.
Andrew
2. How NAFTA and other American policies have hurt the Mexican economy and nation as a whole.
3. I was unaware of the non-violent social movements in Mexico.
Andrew
1. Before I was never aware of the repercussions of NAFTA on the local farmers of Mexico, and how much of an issue this has become, dividing the locals and the govermental policies.
2. I was unaware of the extent of the role that the United States played, and continues to play, in the role of drug trafficking; trying to regulate it, while being the biggest consumer.
3. I was unaware of the oppressive nature that the indiginous people faced, and how similarly our histories are playing out in relation to our native people.
Olivia
2. I was unaware of the extent of the role that the United States played, and continues to play, in the role of drug trafficking; trying to regulate it, while being the biggest consumer.
3. I was unaware of the oppressive nature that the indiginous people faced, and how similarly our histories are playing out in relation to our native people.
Olivia
1. I've learned that NAFTA was not helpful for the Mexican economy, but benefited greatly the United States economy.
2. I learned about the Zapatista movement and their leader, el subcomandante Marcos.
3. I also learned about the history and present living conditions of the indigenous people.
Leslie
2. I learned about the Zapatista movement and their leader, el subcomandante Marcos.
3. I also learned about the history and present living conditions of the indigenous people.
Leslie