Breathe
By Aidée Zamorano
On October 12, the public conversation about Mexico's request to Spain to apologize for the wrongs committed during colonization was stoked. The situation and my role as caregiver reminds me of the family dynamics explored in the Disney movie Encanto. In the film, the Madrigal family lives with the weight of a history of unresolved trauma, inherited from generation to generation. Each member of the family tries to cope with that legacy in his or her own way, but until they face the real problems of the present, the "enchantment" that held them together begins to crumble.
This demand to hear a pardon is like asking our dead grandfathers to apologize for the violence committed against our grandmothers. What is the point, if what we really need is to solve the violence that still exists today? Most of those grandfathers are gone. And reopening a conflict between two sister nations in 2024, when we have so many current wounds to heal, seems unnecessary to me. It is like wanting to fix the Madrigal family house by focusing only on the cracks of the past, instead of reinforcing the foundation for the present.
If we really want change, I would prefer that Mexico adopt the equal and non-transferable 16 weeks of maternity and paternity leave that Spain has had since 2021. Now that would be a breakthrough that reflects a real commitment to the well-being of families, women and the men who care for them. Just as in Encanto, where the key is to recognize the importance of each family member, this measure is a recognition of co-responsibility for caregiving. It would allow us to build a more egalitarian and fairer system, instead of simply apologizing for something we cannot change.
I arrived in Spain just a month ago to do a master's degree that I had postponed for at least 15 years. My family and I have felt supported and accompanied from the very first moment. A few weeks ago I was invited to parade with the Mexican contingent on the Gran Via in Madrid.
During the parade, while I was wearing a typical costume from the coast of Sinaloa, a Mexican woman shouted excitedly at me:
- Viva Mexico!
- Vivaaaa! -I answered full of pride.
- Viva Claudiaaaa! -she shouted again, and I answered:
- Vivaaaa! -sharing a look of emotion and tears with this stranger who, like me, feels full of hope.
PresidentA: Many of us, inside and outside Mexico, are watching you. Here in Spain, women are celebrating your arrival. There is an air of excitement and pride in what you represent. But beyond the symbols, this is a crucial moment. We can make a positive impact for all of Ibero-America, as long as we don't lose sight of what really matters.
As in Encanto, where the real problem was not lost magic but lack of communication, what we need are concrete actions, policies that promote equality and the well-being of people. It is time to continue building a relationship between Mexico and Spain that prioritizes progress on such essential issues as gender equality, co-responsibility for care and labor rights.
I hear unsolicited apologies from friends and strangers alike, but what I wish is that we take advantage of this moment to truly transform our societies. Just as the Madrigal family had to face their real problems to save their home, Mexico and Spain have the opportunity to build a joint future based on peace, respect and progress.
While we shout "Viva Mexico" and "Viva Claudia", let us not lose sight of the real work ahead of us. Let us build together a future where what matters is not who asks for forgiveness, but who dares to change the present for the better.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
Comments ()