Speech on Mexican politics to spark conversation

Luz Rivera Martínez will be speaking on different topics regarding diversity among politics especially in the Mexican culture tonight as part of Mexico Solidarity Network and the Autonomous University of Social Movements.

“She’s going to talk about her 20 years of experience constructing autonomy organizing outside of the formal electoral system in Mexico and basically supporting and defending local farmers in her hometown,” said Beth Bee, assistant professor in the Department of Geography Planning and Environment.

Bee conducts research focusing on farming agriculture and environmental change in Mexico with a specific focal point on gender issues. She will be providing an introduction before the presentation.

Martínez helped start the Consejo Nacional Urbano y Campesino in the 1990s. Bee said they were very vocal against the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“People were very concerned about what that meant for local jobs and how that was going to change farming and farming households in Mexico,” Bee said. “Since the passing of the trade agreement, the rates of male migration in the U.S. has increased.”

According to Bee, both Mexico and the U.S. have been struggling with issues of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence in ways that connect them. Martínez’s organization has a long history of disposing corrupt leaders, democratizing the budget, coordination community-driven infrastructure projects, including people's’ history in education and expanding access to healthcare.

Martínez will also discuss women’s rights ,which is an important part of her identity as a woman. Bee said she works with a women’s cooperative and will be bringing items to share and sell.

“There is a saying in Mexico that she’ll most likely mention, ‘men and women are made of corn,’” said Bee. “It is fundamental to the cultural identity in Mexico particularly in rural areas, having one of the highest biodiversities of corn varieties, so the introduction of genetically modified seeds is seen as a threat to that biodiversity.”

The presentation is co-sponsored by several campus departments including Geography Planning and Environment, History, Intercultural Affairs, International Studies, Sociology, Women's Studies and the Thomas Harriot College.

“We don’t tend to have a lot of presentations or guests to come on campus to give talks about issues in Mexico,” Bee said. “We don’t hear a lot about Mexico accepting classes and they’re our neighbors essentially so we should know more about them.”

Students who don’t know a lot about Mexico have recently only heard about the drug cartel, immigration violence and other bad news from Mexico.

Students can continue the conversation amongst themselves to spread awareness of the issues that will be highlighted at the presentation according to Bee.

“Having a conversation with your friends or in classes, asking your instructors to incorporate these kind of issues in their classes kind of helps create a culture of awareness and helps to keep that conversation going,” she said. “Her talk is really intended to be uplifting and positive and talk about how her organization is full of hope.”

The presentation will be held in Bate 1032 today at 4 p.m. Alejandro Monzón is accompanying her and will be providing simultaneous translation.