We began our educational adventure to the California- Mexico border with a full day preparation workshop. Students received a lecture exploring the history of the U.S. Mexico border relations, a video production workshop focusing on interviewing techniques, light, sound and equipment and a guest lecture about Chicano identity from cutting-edge poet Myriam Gurba. Together, our group identified our main areas of documentary interest — DACA / DREAMERS, deportations of U.S. veterans and mothers of U.S. citizens, NAFTA and globalization—on our journey across the California – Tijuana border. We also wrote a poem in the style of1952 author Alberto Rios, The Border, A Double Sonnet. Our poem was created from a democratic process, entitled: 2/3 of NAFTA: A Double Sonnet.
2/3 of NAFTA: A Double Sonnet
The United States begs for uniqueness and spits at the abnormal
The United States is pretty big, for a baseball stadium
The United States feels emotions but is a psychopath
The United States never wants to be the bad guy of any story
The United States is the land of opportunity, freedom, and the home of the brave
The United States am open sky of opportunities for those with planes
The United States is the drug addicted father of the 1970’s
The United States is a story told over and over until is does not make sense anymore
The United States is a trendy corporation that claims to donate cheap shoes
The United States is jumping out of an airplane with no parachute…feeling safe
The United States was David, who has since grown into Goliath
The United States is the carousal horse that mistakes progress for freedom
The United States is evolving to hold these truths self evident
The United States is not real(ly) that bad
Mexico is given the last slice of the cake at the birthday party
Mexico is hidden behind the curtain waiting to be a star
Mexico is my souther brother
Mexico is butter in a frying pan
Mexico stands in front of a broken mirror, once untouched
Mexico has an assigned seat at a party they were not invited to
Mexico is demonized and victimized, but never seen eye-to-eye
Mexico doesn’t listen to itself stir, and goes back to sleep
Mexico is more than its reputation to Americans
Mexico deserves more recognition
Mexico gave mt father the opportunity to change his life for the better
Mexico frightens the ignorant
Mexico is a black butterfly
Mexico is the last place where I saw my grandmother alive
Some photo highlights from the video production workshop
