My mother鈥檚 perspective
Reporters on the Job: It was clear from my interviews in 颁补苍肠煤苍, Mexico, that Americans are well-briefed on Mexico鈥檚 drug war. (Read the story here.) If my mom is any indicator, they鈥檙e paying more attention than three years ago, when I took this job.
At that time, the first thing my mom asked me was, 鈥淚s it safe?鈥� I replied, 鈥淵es, mom, very much so.鈥� I fibbed. Actually at that time things in Mexico City, at least, were a little worse, especially in terms of kidnapping.
She remained blissfully unaware until recently. Now, even she is noticing the stories about bullet-riddled bodies and beheadings. Recently, she told me over the phone, as only a mother can: 鈥淚f I hear about one more head in Mexico I鈥檓 coming there to get you myself.鈥�
I went to 颁补苍肠煤苍 twice as a 鈥渟pringbreaker.鈥� Even though I really believe it is just as safe to take spring break here now as it was when I was in college, I am not sure my parents would have agreed to let me go if it had been like this.
