On a trip to the city that always made nostalgia seep through my mother’s smile when she spoke about it, I expected to bask in my culture and see all of the sights. I yearned for a dose of a different pace of life, where the city never sleeps. I looked forward to sharing laughs and making memories with my family. I craved absorbing afternoon thunderstorms that left behind a lingering sense of tranquility. I was eager to embrace the city in all of it’s convoluted glory and vibrant culture. However, on my trip to Mexico City last summer, I never anticipated that I would witness the intensity of the desire and the demand for education reform in Mexico.
In 2014 the murder of 43 student teachers by corrupt police forces in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero shocked Mexico and the world. Their protest of education policies ultimately lead to their brutal deaths and added momentum to an already intense fight to improve education. They became symbols for the national need to reform education while simultaneously becoming symbols for the national need to fight political corruption. Instances of activists fighting for equal access to a quality education continued to take place after their deaths in other parts of Mexico in an effort to force a change.
While in Mexico City, I witnessed firsthand a protest for education reform. One of the busiest avenues in all of the world and the avenue in the heart of the city, Reforma, was closed off to traffic. People from all over Mexico poured in to represent their state. As the crowd grew larger the tension in the air rose; I felt a distinct change in the atmosphere. I was standing shoulder to shoulder with people who sacrificed whatever they had to make the trek to Mexico City, just to scream at the top of their lungs that their beloved children deserved a better education. It was absolutely surreal. The mere connection of humanity was enough for me to empathize with the strangers that surrounded me- their passion pronounced, their courage astounding, their cause admirable. The fact that I am a student, with educators as parents? That made it personal. With picket signs, posters, and Mexican flags they walked in unity. The broad spectrum of people there was notable, with every age represented and people from rural areas and cities alike. Toddlers carrying colorful messages advocating for education improvement made quite the impression: they are the future this protest directly intended on impacting. Chants erupted while flags and fists soared: a chaotic harmony. The intense pride of heritage in combination with the hunger for reform was a force to be reckoned with.
Prior to this protest, other demonstrations had consisted of ruthless treatment of protestors and bloodshed. Considering the tens of thousands of people that made the effort to participate in this protest demonstrates not only the bravery of so many individuals, but the extreme measures they are willing to take. Before witnessing this massive protest I did not completely understand the magnitude of the issue of education reform in Mexico. While carefully observing the upheaval around me, the significance sunk in and I inevitably began to reflect on my own education experiences. I considered how in elementary school I had textbooks provided every single year. There were computers available at school for students to use and interactive reading programs to allow us to develop better fluency and reading habits. There were plentiful writing utensils and children’s books. Not to mention, there were many other resources provided to us like field trip opportunities and book fairs that allowed kids to flourish. We grew up with a foundation. Imagine a foundation never being there in the first place. In the United States where presumably everyone has access to a relatively decent education, we can easily take our education for granted.
Don’t get me wrong, educational disparities undoubtedly exist in the United States. Think back to your hometown and ask yourself whether or not there were schools that had better reputations than others. The answer is most likely that there were. The issue of quality of education in the US, however, is much more magnified. Our public school education system has it’s flaws, but at least the law says that it should be equal. The overarching theme is that, even in a foreign country, a parallel exists between the desire to enhance the quality of education for all youth. The bettering of education is what will expose corrupt politics and as cliche as it sounds, lead to a brighter future. As a college student, my day walking through Reforma serves as a constant reminder to appreciate the education I am receiving, and not only that but appreciate the education I received growing up. When you find yourself buried in school work, it is easy to get lost in your own stress and take your schooling for granted. As we tackle midterm season and approach the annual celebration of being thankful in the US, it is important to take a step back to look at the bigger picture.