Photos By Yanelli Z. Robles / Staff
AN ENDURING RELATIONSHIP—Students from Southwestern College, UCSD and UC Irvine at the Centro Fox Binational Conference in Guanajuato. (below) Former Mexican President Vicente Fox hosts students at one of his favorite restaurants. (bottom) SC Professor Dr. Gerardo Rios shares some Mexican history with students.
By Yanelli Z. Robles
GUANAJUATO, MEXICO—Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the United States and Mexico are like an old married couple. An occasional disagreement cannot negate the fact that they love each other.
For better or worse, they are together forever.
“Mexico y los Estados Unidos casados para siempre,” he said.
Fox and former First Lady Marta Fox hosted a breakfast for faculty and students who attended the Centro Fox binational conference in Guanajuato, Mexico. They reinforced their message that binational, bicultural students are the key to a better future in both nations.
Centro Fox was established by the Foxes in 2006, one of the three non-profits they created after Fox’s term as president. Its stated mission is to shape and support compassionate and responsible leaders for the 21st century.
Its mission is to encourage marginalized students to continue in higher education by creating ties with UCSD, UCI and Southwestern College. Centro Fox Experience featured workshops called “Musica y Raza Cos(z)mica,” “Ni de aquí, ni de allá,” and “The Binational Experience.”
Students were encouraged to share their experiences and explore colorism, obstacles they face as Mexicans in American society and what it means to be a binational student.
Fox said knowledge and wisdom transcend the walls of the classroom.
“Connections add to our life experiences because life is part of education,” he said. “We need to build bridges, not walls. We need to break down those barriers.”
Fox said Mexico’s culture is often too pragmatic and needs to be more idealistic like the United States.
“We often settle (for less) as long as we make enough to get by,” he said. “Regardless of what side of the border you live on, that is not the only option. We should aspire to be more.”
Marta Fox said the relationship between Southwestern College and Centro Fox is important because the college is the world’s transfronterizo (transborder) institution, an international hub of learning six miles from the border. She said Southwestern and Mexico are intertwined like no other college in the world because so many Mexicans attend and so many American students live in Mexico.
Centro Fox, she said, wants to strengthen the connection and raise the sights of students on both sides of la linea.
Her husband agreed.
“Education is for a lifetime,” he said. “It is a process that starts at birth and carries on through all phases of life. Intelligent, ambitious students need a safe, inspiring space that encourages exploration. We want students to feel they can go for the big prize.”
Guests from the United States were treated to a visit to the Guanajuato Museum of Art and History as well as shopping at Mercado Hidalgo. Following a rooftop dinner, Southwestern visitors were treated to an inspiring late night callejoneada (“a walk about town”) through the cultural heart of Guanajuato.
Fox said he awaits future visits by Southwestern College students and faculty.
“Our relationship must continue for years to come,” he said. “There is much work to be done.”
Chris Garcia, Southwestern’s Binational and International Student Ambassador, agreed.
“The alliance between Centro Fox and Southwestern College will help expand the binational experience and educational opportunities between our nations,” he said. “Southwestern College is one of the first community colleges to connect with its binational region.”
Estudiantes Fronterizos are starting to gain the attention of Southwestern College administrators. In recent years the college has worked to lower tuition for students living in Mexico, host a binational graduation in Tijuana and improve Mexican-American/Chicano curriculum at it Chula Vista campus.
The marriage rolls on.
