Mexico is experiencing a profound coming of age.
The National Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) electoral-win and that of its photogenic candidate in the presidential elections is reason to celebrate during September’s
Independence Day Celebrations.
The allegations that the elections were corrupted by supermarket-reward cards, along with other irregularities, were promptly analyzed and summarily dismissed by the IFE (Federal Election Institute). We bowed our head in disbelief as the global media reacted with wonder that our fledgling democracy could, be bought for so little.(It may be good to note thata reward cardcan be more useful than the concept of democracy to those who cannot feed their families.)
While only history will tell if the reward-cards can dale is ever wholly exposed, Mexican’s the country over can nevertheless celebrate the rise of a slow and steady voice of grassroots activismin the wake of the Mexican elections.
This defiant voice, that includes the established organizations of the left, now includes a well organized and technology savvy youth movement, #YoSoy132, along with people from all walks of life that may have never before considered political protest.
It was certainly time. We have always seen the problems endemic to our country but, have not always risen to the challenge of demanding or fighting for change.
Mexico is a country of dichotomies. Despite the fact that our national heroes are for the most part, real and gentrified soldiers and rebels that unleashed whole-scale destruction in their quest for rights and freedoms, we had become a passive and, at times, apathetic society –at least where social justice, narco-politics and corruption are considered…
We are the world’s 15th richest country, yet poverty is rife. We are rich in culture yet our underfunded school system and powerful unions mean our children are falling behind in Math and Spanish, to the detriment of the country’s future.
We are rich in natural resources, yet are dominated by business and state monopolies that would make Russia’s abusive and iconic Oligarch’s blush.
We are culturally diverse and tolerant -2 former indigenous presidents attest to that fact- yet the dominant media interests trivialize or ignore our country’s indigenous heritage, while our government continues to deny indigenous rights. Riviera Nayarit appropriated the Cora culture to promote its sea-side resorts during the 2012 international Tianguis Turístico, ignoring the fact that Nayarit and Jalisco have a long way to go in recognizing indigenous rights and settling land disputes.)
Perhaps the resounding slap in the face to Mexican democracy given by the PRI’s Enrique Peña Nieto’s ascendency to the presidency (irrespective of whether or not there was, in fact, electoral fraud) was exactly what our country needed to wake it from its uneasy, slumber. While politicians have a long history of defrauding our nation, it’s never been on such a public scale.
Peña Nieto may be the best thing to have happened to Mexican politics in generations. The IFE’s confirmation of PRI candidate on 1st July as president elect of the United States of Mexico may in time be recognized, even celebrated, as the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. His win has refocused the nation’s attention on the meaning of democracy, social justice, and the future and identity of Mexico itself. This irony must surely feel bitter-sweetto both his detractors and supporters alike.
Political debate is today, raging across the country. This energized, public and passionate dialogue at a mass level has replaced the grumbling subordination to a flawed democracy that grew out of the demise of the PRI’s 76-year rule only 12, short years ago.
The challenge for Mexico now, or rather the opportunity facing us, is to participate in the reenergized public debate and create a Mexico that reconciles us with and celebrates our history and rejects corruption and apathy in its myriad of forms.
This “Mes Patrio”, I along with millions of other Mexicans around the world, will be celebrating a hopeful future, along with our imperfect past. Together we will bask in the re-awakening of a great country, rich and diversein every aspect. I may even take a moment to recognize the pivotal role of a nondescript, supermarket-reward card that may helped unleash a nation’s untapped potential.
Written by Daniel Gomez for Caras de México. Click here to read more articles examining Mexican identity.