LxC Task's 3 and 4: The un-narratable in Juarez, Mexico.

Within the spanish-speaking cultural realm, a particular issue known as the “feminicidios” in Juarez, Mexico has become the epitome of un-narratable. Over the past decade, thousands of women have disappeared or have been found raped, and murdered through out the city of Juarez. Social activist, and director of “Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa”, or “Return Our Daughters Home” organization, Marisela Ortiz, was forced to move out of her home in Juarez to an undisclosed location due to the intimidating threats to her life and her family’s. Ortiz's actions resemble that of Marisol Valles, the former director, as well as the members of the family of Reyes Salazar, and Maria Luis Garcia Andrades (whose sister had been murdered 10 years ago) all whom received threats that forced them to leave their homes, and to seek safety elsewhere. [1]

The reality of what’s going on in the city is deliberately kept from being narrated, and continually exposed. What Prince states in "The Disnarrated" can serve as explanation as to why the murder of thousands of women, such a vital issue, has become un-narratable; “..because it defiles the power of a particular narrator (or those of any narrator).”[2] In this case, exposing the feminicidios can be said to "defile" the people in power; the true authorities of Juarez. The power, influence, and control that the drug cartels have in Juarez, and the corruption within the police departments, are the forces that attempt to silence the voices, and narratives of the victims, their families, the citizens and their supporters. At the moment the only thing that those who support the disclosure and narrating of such horrible happenings can do is to continue to share their narratives of the feminicidios, and support the families of the victims.

"Huye Otra Activista Por Amenazas." El Diario Local (12 Mar. 2011). Diario.com. Publicaciones E Impresos Paso Del Norte. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. . [1]

Prince, Gerald. "The Disnarrated." STYLE. Volume 21 (1988), Pages 1-6. [2]