6A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006
Contributed by Ashley Depenbusch
A flower bed in the shape of a cross memorializes murder victims in Juarez, Mexico. Since 1994 more than 400 Mexican women have been murdered in Juarez. Crosses in the background have the names of murdered women inscribed on them.
BREAKING BORDERS
Trip to Mexico addresses social, cultural problems
Katie Black, Levenworth senior, Glen Pease, 2005 graduate, Ashley Depenbusch, Hays senior, and Rachel Mehl, Lawrence senior, walk through a memorial site for murdered women in Juárez, Mexico, on an Alternative Spring Break trip. Part of the students' trip was dedicated to addressing the issue of "las muertes," or femicide.
Contributed bv Ashlev Depenbusch
BY ERIN CASTANEDA
EDITOR@KANSAN.COM KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
Cancun, Mexico and South Padre Island, Texas beckon many college students to relax and party for spring break. Ten KU students will be heading southwest as well, but they are taking a road less traveled.
For the second year in a row, The Ecumenical Christian Ministries is sponsoring an alternative spring break called, "Human Rights on the Border," to El Paso, Texas, and Cuidad Juárez, Mexico. The participating students want to understand border issues, workers' rights and the effects of free trade in the biggest border community in the world, Juárez. They intend to link their experiences with activities in the Lawrence community.
"In our experience, alternative breaks get people out of the cocoon they live in to examine another culture," ECM Minister Thad Holcombe said. "In turn, your own culture becomes clearer."
Ashley Depenbusch, Hays senior, is this year's student coordinator. The evidence of "globalization of capitalism" motivated her to recruit another group to learn more about the region.
began on last year's trip, Depenbusch aims to transpose the personal testimony of those she meets, concentrating on the genocide in Juárez and general consumerism in the United States. She said one of her goals was to influence the way
In our experience, alternative breaks get people out of the cocoon they live in to examine another culture. In turn, your own culture becomes
clearer.'
Through a documentary, which she
Thad Holcombe ECM Minister
people think about living their lives as consumers.
For four days in Juárez, the group will stay and work at two annunciation houses, which are volunteer programs that temporarily houses migrants, while helping them find work. It will also meet with union and labor organizers, members of the border patrol, immigration lawyers and Esther Chavez, a women's rights activist. In El Paso, they will visit an Immigration Court and stay in two more annunciation houses.
Depenbusch said that she was excited to talk with people who make a difference in the lives of Mexicans and Americans.
"The experience is more about meeting empowered groups who are active protagonists in the struggle for social justice, not passive recipients of charity or help," she said.
Before leaving, the group will meet with two professionals to better understand the issues it will study. Mark Horowitz, a former Kansas sociology professor, will share his expertise on wage and labor fairness. The group will also meet with Judith Ancel, who is an economics lecturer at University of Missouri-Kansas City, and director of the Institute for Labor Studies. She is also involved with the Cross-Border Network for Justice and Equality that is based in Kansas City. They will discuss labor issues and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The ECM group will speak with the Kaw Valley Living Wage Alliance, church communities and the Lawrence Public Library to share their message with all Lawrence citizens, as well as the Lawrence Fair Trade group to show the ways fair trade negatively affects the community.
Depenbusch said she thought consumers were disconnected from the products
they bought because they didn't know how the product was made.
Holcombe said some businesses have taken advantage of keeping prices low at the cost of abusing workers, while strategically going to smaller towns to wipe out smaller businesses.
Depenbusch recommended that people have a sound knowledge base about companies and how they treat their workers. She said that people have to evaluate how they are going to live and how it affects their community.
"We want to promote an awareness about companies and organizations," she said. "Lawrence is a very open space in that way. People are willing to make changes."
Edited by Jodi Ann Holopirek
LAW ENGINE
AUTOMOBILE
DIAGNOSTICS
INC
842-8665 2868 Four Wheel Dr.
LIBERTY HALL 644 MASS
1912
THE THREE BURIALS OF
MELQUIDES ESTRADA(n)
4:30 7:05 9:35
CAPOTE (n) 4:20 7:00 9:30
CAPOTE 5:00
*Advance reservations required, subject to availability.
If you are planning a road trip to support your favorite team, or just need to get away for Spring Break and need a place to crash, stop by the WinStar Microtel Inn & Suites. We are located next to the Fantastic WinStar Casinos @ I-35 on the OK/TX border. Show us a valid college ID and stay for $65 + tax any Sunday—Thursday!!
1