graphic print by Luis Arenal
Day 59: More Homework!
How exciting! I did more homework this Sunday! We have been studying the Mexican Revolution, which lasted from about 1910 to 1920. The Revolution began, at least in part, due to the people’s unhappiness with the rule of Porfirio Diaz. He ruled Mexico from 1876-1911, serving as both the president and puppet master of various presidents. Many people were upset with the corruption of the country’s election system. Diaz also went against his own slogan, «No Re-election,» when he served a number of sequential terms during this period.
During the Porfiriato, as this period is now known as, Mexico developed a railroad system and other infrastructural developments that opened Mexico up to foreign investments and increased migration from Mexico the the US. On one hand this made it easier for Mexican migrants to access temporary work in the US and send money back to their families. People, goods, and ideas were exchanged between the US and Mexico more easily because of the railroad system. It also provided jobs related to infrastructure in Mexico. On the other hand, the US was a primary foreign investor in the railroads and therefore influenced Mexican political and business leaders. Furthermore, Mexican farmers and peasants were exploited for their work as business leaders and investors were more important to Diaz’s goals than the general population.
Another factor that influenced the Mexican Revolution was the great economic inequality throughout the country. Not only did the wealthy own unreasonably large amounts of land, but the government continued to take land away from indigenous populations and peasants without offering proper compensation or regards to their livelihoods.
Different parties in the Revolution wanted different things. Some, like Zapata, wanted land rights for peasants. Others, like Francisco I. Madero, wanted Diaz to stop being re-elected and to unify the country. (He didn’t exactly put up a strong fight, however, and was ultimately unsuccessful throughout his short president from November 1911 to February 1913.)
At the conclusion of the Revolution, many of its strongest leaders had been killed. Leaders such as Obregon and Cardenas took the country in a more socialist direction. Land reform, education reform, and the separation of church and state were a few of their focuses.
Day 60: Tummy Woes
I did not feel well this day. I was unable to eat for a few days, but after resting all day I felt a lot better.
Well, allow me to clarify: I wasn’t able to eat any substantial food for a few days. Later that night I went to the microbrewery with a few friends and had no trouble eating a brownie sundae. But someone offered me a bite of their dinner and my stomach immediately started turning. After a few days I was fine, thanksfully. It’s kind of funny how the body works, isn’t it?
Day 61: Free Day Street Food
My stomach felt better after just a couple of days. And it was perfect timing because I discovered a food stand outside of ICO shortly afterwards. The woman at the stand sold flautas, chicken sandwiches, and jamica. Flautas are fried tortillas wrapped around pulled chicken or other types of meat or cheese. The chicken sandwich was wrapped around a corn tortilla. Both had cheese, guacamole, salsa, and lettuce. The jamaica was delicious, per usual.
I also went to a market on this day since we didn’t have classes. This market (I don’t know the name of it) took up blocks and blocks in every direction. Vendors sold artisan products, souvenirs from other countries, and random objects produced in bulk in some factory. Of course there was also food! Many vendors sold ice cream or paletas, Mexican popsicle, due to the heat.
That evening I walked around El Centro with a friend. We ate at a pizza place that sells pizza to passersby. They had thin crust slices in various flavors. Although we’d be returning home in less than two weeks, it still felt nice to have a slice of home.
Days 62-63: Art and the Mexican Revolution
In class we continued studying Mexican history. Post-revolutionary Mexican art is a way to understand the opinions and experiences of the Mexican people during the time period. The period’s art can be divided into a few categories, all of which are still widely used today: photography, print making, paintings, murals, architecture, music, dance, film, and fashion. Print making and murals are some of the most well-known forms of Mexican art. Mexican print makers Leopoldo Mendez, Luis Arenal, and Alfredo Zalce founded the Taller Grafica Popular, or TGP. TGP is a print collective dedicated to furthering the goals of the revolution through art. Revolutionary goals such as respect for indigenous populations, land rights, and agrarian reform are all common subjects in these artists’ work. Mexican muralists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Sisquieros all have work featured in Mexico City, which I saw up close and person just a few weeks ago.
Some of the stenciling techniques used by members of TGP are still used to day by members of the art colectivo ASARO. More info on this to come soon…
73 Aventuras 