Breathe
By Adina Chelminsky
They say that second parts were never good. What you could not demonstrate in the first part of a text or a movie, is not worth taking up in a second part.
Opinions have to be, as my grandfather used to say in his native Yiddish, "Kurtz und Sharf": short and to the point.
But, given the overwhelming response to the article , the article I wrote last week in this same forum about the mediocre political activism of many upper class people in pursuit of next year's elections, I am going to make an exception. I hope you will forgive me if this text does not have the same impact and sense of humor as the previous one.
When I published the first article I thought that the response from the "Sindicato Único de los Mexicanos con Privilegio" was going to be deadly. They were going to attack me as a cliché and generalizer, they were going to ask for my right of reply and, worse, they were going to take away my honorary credential from Café O de las Lomas.
Oh surprise! All, all, the comments were in the opposite direction. Not only in "yes, you are absolutely right" but in concrete questions and suggestions on what else we can do to land the political and civic responsibility that we are forced to assume by having economic privilege.
Here are some ideas:
First, to use social scorn. Yes, with all its letters, no matter how Roman coliseum it may sound. WE HAVE TO STOP SOCIALLY GLORIFYING THE POLITICIANS WHO ARE TEARING THE COUNTRY APART.
I am talking to you, the magazines Quién, Caras, Hola, Club de Reforma and all the other pink magazines that swarm their pages with the closets and trips of the union leader's daughter (by private plane), or the house of the party leader (simply decorated) or the social event attended by politicians dressed up in their best clothes, the same politicians who used their worst tricks to unravel the country. And yes, I know that, many times, they pay to be published; and yes, I know that aspirational morbidness sells because people love it; and yes, yes, I know that you are a business that needs to generate money, but assume your fucking citizen responsibility and stop creating paper heroes.
I am also talking about all of us and the social obeisance we give to all these politicians we criticize when we meet them in restaurants or social events. And no, I don't mean to be a peeler and attack them or boo them, although there is no lack of desire, because it would be violent and noblesse oblige, but what need to go to greet them or smile at them or send them a bottle of wine... Bartlett (and so many other politicians) whom you criticize so much in networks for being corrupt, but he becomes "the engineer" you greet or to whom you bow your head when you see him at The Palm (or so many other places).
Make them feel uncomfortable in public places so that they know (although it probably works for them) that their actions may go unpunished in politics, but NOT in society.
Second, let's not get too fancy. The opposition candidate is not going to be a Haute Couture dress, tailor-made in every stitch. He or she will have policies and opinions that you may not agree with or that make you uncomfortable. No way, you still have to wear the suit even if it itches in some parts.
Obviously if you don't agree with a candidate because of his or her security proposal, fight against poverty, vision for the future or cabinet construction DO NOT vote for him or her, butooo if you agree with this and his or her opinions on divisive issues don't convince you, suck it up.
The two issues that are MOST contentious to middle and upper-middle class women are abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
Waiting for the perfect candidate is like waiting for the Messiah. For the time being he will not arrive, no matter how much we pray.
I would rather abstain than vote for a candidate who has spoken out for the right to decide (for example) is one of the biggest risks we run.
Make peace with your moral conscience for the good of Mexico. God will understand us.
Third, if you are chosen to be a poll worker, don't be lazy, say yes and participate in an active and committed way. There is NO more incredible and necessary democratic exercise. Everything we have advocated to "defend INE" only becomes real if we participate WITH INE.
Fourth point: Cash is king. Donate money to the candidate once the campaigns start... Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha... It makes me laugh to write that because under all lights, except politics, the campaigns have already started.
Five, democracy begins at home.
In two ways: in the political education of your children and the demand that they, if they are over 18 years old, go to vote without exception. But above all, in congruence and in the dignified and LEGAL treatment of domestic workers. Generate work environments that resemble what we want for Mexico because abusive employers ONLY DO WHAT THEY DO is polarize society even more.
And finally, erring on the side of repeating what I published in the first installment of this column, but which continues to be the most important point of all: vote, vote, vote, vote, vote without pretexts, or exceptions, or exceptions, or blank votes, or annulment of ballots: conscious and courageous vote.
I have written two chapters on this subject. The third one will have to be written by each one of us, every day from now on, in our homes and at the polling place.
That has to be the best chapter of all.
As the saying goes: the third time is the charm.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of Opinion 51.
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