Behind the headlines, an invisible Mexico

Every day we see a Mexico we would rather not see. That Mexico – insecure, violent, tragic, divided, corrupt and cynical - is, however, not the Mexico to which the majority of us belong. It is not the Mexico of a growing and vibrant civil society ...

Every day we see a Mexico we would rather not see. A violent Mexico where drug lords and organized crime brutally terrorize and kill. A Mexico whose congressmen pay more attention to party interests than to the needs of the constituencies they represent and serve. A Mexico divided by political parties that with the use of public funds negotiate votes while promising changes that never occur. A Mexico of de facto powers that protect interest groups and impede the necessary changes for the progress of the country.

A Mexico where illegality, corruption and impunity undermine the earned credibility of the institutions that govern and that we must defend at all costs because however imperfect they may be, they are the true basis of our incipient democracy. A violent and criminal Mexico, profusely and crudely broadcast by the media. The sensationalized images serve the purpose of the criminal groups that use terror as a negotiating card against the government.

A Mexico of poverty whose economy does not grow fast enough to provide the necessary jobs for the millions of frustrated youths who see only a bleak future ahead.

That Mexico – insecure, violent, tragic, divided, corrupt and cynical is, however, not the Mexico to which the majority of us belong.

The millions of responsible citizens that, day in and day out, go to work despite strikes and demonstrations that frequently paralyze major cities in the country.

It is not the Mexico that struggles to improve their education and wellbeing. Nor the one of parents that send their kids to school every day to study and perhaps eventually have access to better opportunities than they themselves ever had.

That is not the Mexico of millions of citizens who, despite threats and political deceptions, go to the polls with a peaceful, democratic spirit to cast their votes in order to build a better country with a brighter future.

It is not the Mexico of a growing and vibrant civil society that voluntarily contributes time, talent, money and other resources, not only to help the needy, but to combat issues affecting justice, equality and the achievement of true democracy.

It’s not the Mexico of true entrepreneurs that risk capital in order to establish small and medium businesses that create jobs and provide additional goods and services necessary for the development and growth of the country.

It is not the Mexico of qualified professionals, academics, farmers, students, housewives and public servants who work diligently within the law.

It is not the institutional Mexico that is carefully protected, with discipline and impartiality, by our well-respected armed forces.
Nor is it the historically rich country with ancient and well-preserved monuments that attest to glories of the past thirty centuries.

This is the Mexico that is not reflected in media or in politics, but it is there. It exists.

It is the Mexico we do not see or hear about, because it is silent. It does not seek the public eye or pursue power, but rather works diligently to achieve better economic conditions and quality of life.

This is the Invisible Mexico that farms the land, occupies the classrooms, the hospitals, the factories, the hotels, the retail stores, the universities, the offices, the army barracks, the homes, the day-cares centers and all of the places where the true, hard-working, committed and generous Mexico is being forged every day.

This is the Invisible Mexico that we neither see nor hear because it is not newsworthy in the opinion of mass media.

This is the real Mexico, built with hard work and with deep roots, rich in color, music, art, traditions and strong family values. The Mexico that dreams, young, strong, optimistic, dynamic, creative, upbeat and entrepreneurial. A Mexico of diverse climates, surrounded by oceans, coasts, islands and incredibly diverse nature. A country that in the face of adversity will not capitulate and will continue to move forward.

This is the Mexico in which we all want to live, and one that together, we are striving to build. A Mexico beyond the short sighted political goals of those who struggle for power and personal gain. We can be optimistic because that Invisible Mexico, flourishing in silence and guided by solid principles and values, is the one that will prevail.

We must continue in this productive pursuit, forming good citizens committed to building a better country for our children and future generations. A country in which justice and opportunity will exist for all. Let us demand the best of ourselves, but also of those who govern or attempt to do so, by putting personal ambitions or group interests above the needs of the people.

With that truth and confidence, we can then optimistically celebrate and say again: ¡Viva Mexico!

Manuel Arango is founder of Grupo Cifra and of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.

Every day we see a Mexico we would rather not see. A violent Mexico where drug lords and organized crime brutally terrorize and kill. A Mexico whose congressmen pay more attention to party interests than to the needs of the constituencies they represent and serve. A Mexico divided by political parties that with the use of public funds negotiate votes while promising changes that never occur. A Mexico of de facto powers that protect interest groups and impede the necessary changes for the progress of the country.

A Mexico where illegality, corruption and impunity undermine the earned credibility of the institutions that govern and that we must defend at all costs because however imperfect they may be, they are the true basis of our incipient democracy. A violent and criminal Mexico, profusely and crudely broadcast by the media. The sensationalized images serve the purpose of the criminal groups that use terror as a negotiating card against the government.

A Mexico of poverty whose economy does not grow fast enough to provide the necessary jobs for the millions of frustrated youths who see only a bleak future ahead.

That Mexico – insecure, violent, tragic, divided, corrupt and cynical is, however, not the Mexico to which the majority of us belong.

The millions of responsible citizens that, day in and day out, go to work despite strikes and demonstrations that frequently paralyze major cities in the country.

It is not the Mexico that struggles to improve their education and wellbeing. Nor the one of parents that send their kids to school every day to study and perhaps eventually have access to better opportunities than they themselves ever had.

That is not the Mexico of millions of citizens who, despite threats and political deceptions, go to the polls with a peaceful, democratic spirit to cast their votes in order to build a better country with a brighter future.

It is not the Mexico of a growing and vibrant civil society that voluntarily contributes time, talent, money and other resources, not only to help the needy, but to combat issues affecting justice, equality and the achievement of true democracy.

It’s not the Mexico of true entrepreneurs that risk capital in order to establish small and medium businesses that create jobs and provide additional goods and services necessary for the development and growth of the country.

It is not the Mexico of qualified professionals, academics, farmers, students, housewives and public servants who work diligently within the law.

It is not the institutional Mexico that is carefully protected, with discipline and impartiality, by our well-respected armed forces.
Nor is it the historically rich country with ancient and well-preserved monuments that attest to glories of the past thirty centuries.

This is the Mexico that is not reflected in media or in politics, but it is there. It exists.

It is the Mexico we do not see or hear about, because it is silent. It does not seek the public eye or pursue power, but rather works diligently to achieve better economic conditions and quality of life.

This is the Invisible Mexico that farms the land, occupies the classrooms, the hospitals, the factories, the hotels, the retail stores, the universities, the offices, the army barracks, the homes, the day-cares centers and all of the places where the true, hard-working, committed and generous Mexico is being forged every day.

This is the Invisible Mexico that we neither see nor hear because it is not newsworthy in the opinion of mass media.

This is the real Mexico, built with hard work and with deep roots, rich in color, music, art, traditions and strong family values. The Mexico that dreams, young, strong, optimistic, dynamic, creative, upbeat and entrepreneurial. A Mexico of diverse climates, surrounded by oceans, coasts, islands and incredibly diverse nature. A country that in the face of adversity will not capitulate and will continue to move forward.

This is the Mexico in which we all want to live, and one that together, we are striving to build. A Mexico beyond the short sighted political goals of those who struggle for power and personal gain. We can be optimistic because that Invisible Mexico, flourishing in silence and guided by solid principles and values, is the one that will prevail.

We must continue in this productive pursuit, forming good citizens committed to building a better country for our children and future generations. A country in which justice and opportunity will exist for all. Let us demand the best of ourselves, but also of those who govern or attempt to do so, by putting personal ambitions or group interests above the needs of the people.

With that truth and confidence, we can then optimistically celebrate and say again: ¡Viva Mexico!

Manuel Arango is founder of Grupo Cifra and of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.