At the risk of a beheading, and this is no joke, I’m sticking my neck out (that is a joke) to decry the horrific and terroristic behavior of a drug cartel that uses Z in Mexico. I won’t use its name to be somewhat cautious on this side of the border.
A woman blogger/journalist was decapitated because she blogged for safety on the streets of Mexico. She decried the power of the drug lords over innocent women, children, men, and families. She reported on the daily narcotics wars in the country and began to research info about the “Z” cartel. She dared to lash out via a blog in the name of freedom of expression that apparently is disregarded in our Central American neighbor. Because of fear, reprisal against self and family, money, safety.
While this true story may be gruesome to you, it’s not the first breach of freedom of expression the world has seen. We’ve watched the streets of Iran, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iraq, and other countries explode in the name of freedom. Some were successful in their quest; others were not.
Americans have the freedom to express malcontent to the highest echelons of government without recourse (except perhaps a wire tap or creation of an FBI case folder). We picket, we lobby, we rant and rave in op-eds, and we blog – freely.
In honor of this woman, Maria Elizabeth Macias — “The Girl From Laredo,” whose severed head was placed next to her desktop, mouse and keyboard, I encourage your blog post speaking out against the tyrannical drug cartels in Mexico who are killing innocent victims doing what Americans’ inalienable right allows on a daily basis.
She is not the first to die under this rash of violence. Two others were hanged from a bridge with notes listing three websites. Six other journalists have already been killed this year. In spite of being spooked, bloggers and Twitter accounts forge ahead:
>> Borderland Beat Blog tweets @OVEMEX
>>Follow #MtyFollow for news of cartel activity in Monterrey, Mexico.
>>Follow #AcaFollow for news of cartel activity in Acapulco
>>Follow #LaredoGirl to remain abreast of cartel activity in the name of Senora Macias
>>Follow #NenaDLaredo for rolling stream on news about the cartel ongoing after Ms. Macias’s passing
I applaud those who carry on against violence; I cry for those the world over who cannot hope to live in peace but always fear losing a loved one.
You and I really are too much alike sometimes! I have a blog post in the works comparing our complaints about our public school system here with what the teachers have to go through in Mexico. Simply. No. Comparison. Our teachers never fear decapitation or extortion. The teachers in Mexico show up for work to teach kids, even under threat of loss of life or loss of money.
I taught kids in Mexico, working alongside teachers who were the most dedicated bunch I’ve met. They had to provide all of their own supplies (much like ours do), sometimes go without pay, and always brought a level of professionalism to the job when the dirt floors and lack of plumbing dictated otherwise. I think I will write it…it would be a crime not to.
First off, thank you so very much for being here so bright and early. I very much appreciate that and you!
Secondly, I’d love to hear more about your Mexico escapades as a teacher! How fascinating and a good reminder that we all take life in these parts for granted — way too much. As a child of a parent born in a third-world country and having lived in one many years, I can fully relate to what you’re sharing.
Please do write that post, Erica. More stories like this must continue to be shared so when people whine they might think twice.
This is the first time I’ve found one of your blog posts from my google+ stream. Although I complain about the myriad of social media methods these days, there is a unique benefit. As long as there’s a smart phone, blog, social media stream or method, people throughout the world will decry injustice, ineptness, indecision, oppression, corruption, and the products of humanity’s darker side. It is tragic that these elements of humanity still create and inflict terror, fear, pain, death, genocide and other horrors. It is a ray of hope that people have a more difficult time to collectively lie and conceal these acts because of Twitter, Facebook, Digg, and thousands of other online resources. Viva la web!
I’m so glad I duped (as in triplicated) this post today to ensure I snared you in the comment net today, John!
When you stop to really think and absorb what the world’s citizens are now privy to via the social web; it’s mind boggling. To think most walked the streets with horse blinders (sorry to those who still do) and never saw the reality of life. Perhaps cocooning is a defense mechanism; sometimes I do it from sensory overload and being terribly upset with the horrors of news.
I have no answers, but it helps to raise the issue. Thanks for coming today.
Society seems to be held in one piece by the thinnest of lines. The horrors inflicted on people just for speaking their mind; just trying to say “No, you don’t run our community” are mind boggling. Freedom of speech is precious; something to never forget or take for granted.
Thanks for grappling with the comment system to state your thoughts, Brad. Interesting that only a few have decided to put in a note here although I know many have stopped in. Thanks for that, really.
Thank you for writing this, Jayme – it’s such an important topic, yet one that’s (understandably) not written about much due to fear of backlash or worse.
Here’s to the brave souls that put their lives on the line so that others don’t suffer. And here’s less to the self-important dungholes that feel their comfortable lives are so hard…
My friend…pleasure you’re here; thank you.
Powerful stuff Jayme. Wow. Props to you for making mention of something that really puts much of this in perspective.
Thank you, Marcus, and thank you for stopping by to say so. #Appreciate!
This is an important post, Jayme. I would be honored to re-publish it as a guest post on my blog. As soon as next week – if you agree.
You might also think of organizing a tweet-a-thon to get the message out. The cartels should know that the whole wide world is against them. Whatever you decide, you can count on me.
Recently on my blog: The Final Speech of the Great Dictator by Sir Charles Chaplin https://wp.me/pbg0R-qG
I’m seeking a plug in that allows previous blog posts to show up in comments; thanks for adding yours, I love that you did that.
Guest post this? Absolutely! I’ll revise the intro so it’s not entirely the same and perhaps you can add your thoughts which are always powerful. Please send me your email to jayme at soulati dot com and we’ll exchange content. Meanwhile, if there’s a topic dear to you, I would be pleased to invite your writings, Stan.
On a final note…not sure I’m up for a tweet-a-thon against the drug cartels; my first need would be in support of the Persians, and that would also be detrimental to the safety of my family.
It’s incredible this is allowed to occur with a border nation of the US. That is just how powerful and scary these cartels are.
This is very serious and no joking matter; thanks for writing about it.
Fully agree, Bill. It’s so sad that kidnapping of children and other family members is also par for the course.