Aziz Yousuf
West Virginia University College of Law, Rising 3L
Friday, May 30, 2008
A Final Reflection on Mexico

Sitting in the airport I look around me trying to absorb the last images, sounds, and smells of Mexico before I board my flight home. As I look around I find myself gazing off into the distance, through the large glass panes of the Airport terminal and off into the dry Mexican landscape. Hypnotized by the distant dusty horizon I begin to reflect on my amazing journey through Guanajuato Mexico. Though only a short two weeks it seems that I have spent months in these beautiful mountains, and yet at the same time I have an oddly conflicting feeling that time has gone by entirely too fast. Some would say that its possibly due to the way time seems to simply slow down and cease to matter here within the embrace of the warm and sunny Mexican days and festive atmosphere, as well as due to my own desire to extend my time here to further expand upon the things I have learned and experienced during the trip.

It was only during the final days of this journey that I feel I was able to fully experience the heart and soul of Guanajuato as I bonded with its citizens and my fellow students at the University of Guanajuato. Up until the last few days I had been so engrossed with the various sights, amazing foods, and class room discussions that I had nearly neglected getting to know the various Mexican law students. Fortunately, they were kind enough to reach out to me and a group of them invited me to their home for one of the many end of the school term celebrations being held through out the city. It was here during this celebration that I had my most thought provoking and inspiring conversations with one of the Mexican students. This was a conversation that brought to mind many of the issues that we had discussed through out our two week stay.

The conversation began with a general friendly chat and laughter that eventually took on a slightly different tone as my Mexican colleague asked me the hardest question I could have possibly been asked. In a timid and shy voice apologizing profusely for any offense, my new friend asked me, “Why do American’s hate us?” It was as if the large elephant in the middle of the room that we had all been tip toeing around had finally been brought to center attention and I wasn’t sure where to begin. I attempted to explain that not all Americans hold negative views towards the Mexican people and that it differed from individual to individual. We discussed how while attempting to visit family he had been insulted and denied entrance into the US several times, and treated as an illegal simply because he was Mexican even though his father was a wealthy mayor. Yet even with all these negative experiences he remained optimistic about the chances for change in the future in both the way Mexicans are treated and viewed within the US. It made me feel good to know that he had drawn such comfort and optimism just from my simple statements that not all Americans held Mexicans in contempt.

Following this we moved on to another amazing discussion regarding Mexico’s class divide and the unattained goals of social justice that was voiced on their constitution since its creation. Up until this point I had viewed the class divide and lack of clear social justice as long term problems in the Mexico that would not see any solution until long and far into the future. Yet again during this same night I was introduced to a number of students many of a wealthy and privileged back ground that were shunning their aristocratic lifestyles, they were studying simply to dedicate their lives to helping the less fortunate. This knowledge left me hope that maybe social change in Mexico would happen much more quickly and that true social and economical equality and justice are not that far away. I was left feeling a great deal of optimism and wishing that I had the opportunity to learn more and expand further on the previous discussion points with other Mexicans. For now I must settle for the knowledge that I have gained and wonderful experiences and beautiful sights and foods of Mexico that I take with me from this wonderful trip, and I look forward to one day returning.