Si, se puede!

Last Sunday was May Day, a day that people all over the world use to march in solidarity for international worker's rights.

In the United States in particular, people use it as an opportunity to speak up about our immigration system: both what we want to see and what we feel is failing. Of course, these two topics are so intricately connected. How can we talk about the problems of having 11 million undocumented people in our country without looking at the reasons that they are migrating? When you do, as we do in our Mexico Unit, you see that while the issue is as complicated as any, there have been some very clear consequences of the trade policies that the United States have signed with Mexico. Policies which have forced rural Mexican  farmers off their lands and into cities that could not support them. Policies which have created "maquila"  factories where workers are often suffering poor conditions, low wages, and inability to unionize. Many forces have contributed to the rising numbers of people moving north into the U.S., but acknowledging these links will be essential if we are to come up with any long lasting solutions.

The night before I took a group of concerned students to the rally in Sacramento I sat looking at my markers and blank poster sign.

What was it in my heart that I wanted to express? Which aspect of this mess of economics and migration made me the most upset?

I saw the rally as an opportunity to stand in the company of a diverse group of people with a common goal. I also saw it as the opportunity to make some noise and let America or Sacramento or at least that neighborhood know that I was ashamed of my country's connections to these human rights abuses. I came up with at least a dozen different ideas ranging from calling for sweatshop free supply chains to ending NAFTA to raising awareness about modern day slavery in the U.S.. The following pictures show what I ended up with---look closely, I wrote too many words. Next time I'll come up with a catchy slogan instead :) The next morning when the 4 students that came with me piled into the car, I was inspired all over again by their own signs. It is such a rewarding part of life to have a job that keeps me surrounded by fiery and compassionate young people!

Si, se puede! Yes, we can!

Hanaa made a collage to represent diversity in the U.S.