7 June 2012 take two

Ironic. The morning that I am gently reprimanded by my host father for being un-lady like by yelling at a macho, lying, irresponsible councilman is the same day I am asked to speak to community parents about the child rape situation.

Who says I want to be lady-like? Who says these women and girls should be?

Why do I feel like I am fighting the suffragist movement on my own?

Miryum is a teacher in the elementary school. She is beautiful and patient and one of the kindest people I have ever met. Because of the rape incident this week, she asked me to come and speak at the monthly parents’ meeting at the primary school. 

“Can you tell the parents to be more aware of where their kids are, an not let them play in the streets? Maybe they will listen to you.”

No, I can’t.

 First of all, it is never the victim’s fault in rape cases, and the last thing I am going to do is hint at the fault belonging to the parents of the 10 year old walking home from school. Second, he was a neighbor, a friend, someone the family knew. He invited the kids into his house for a snack. Culturally, it would have been rude for the kids to say no to their neighbor offering them food. Especially when they are hungry, and people offer each other food here all the time.

I don’t have the answer. I don’t know what could have prevented something like this (except an after-school program….) other than education.

I agreed to speak, and decided to focus on awareness.

I informed the parents that something violent happened in the streets of madrigal to one of our young students and everyone involved in the situation was affected, including the teachers in the school, and that is why they asked me to come speak today. I asked them to think about what everyone can do to make Madrigal a more safe, stimulating environment for their kids. I asked them to think about what they can do, what the teachers can do, what the local nurse can do, and what the municipality can do.. Then, in July when we have Encuentros de Padres, we will not only discuss their ideas, but help put them into action.

Then, I quizzed them: So, when is Encuantros de padres? Hands go up “July”

What do I need you to do until then? Silence… then guesses

“watch our kids closer?”

 dammit, “no”

 “Be more conscientious and careful with our kids?”

 “yeah, kind of”

“I need you all to be aware of what is happening with your children for the next month, and think about what we all can do to make their lives better.”

Here is to hoping.