In an Absolut World

During a talk about White Privilege, this image was used while referencing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. After being defeated in the Mexican-American war, the terms of the treaty required that Mexico turned over land ownership of Upper California, New Mexico, present-day Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Nevada, and Colorado to the United States. Mexico also relinquished all claims to Texas. Rio Grande was then used as a divider between the United States and Mexico which led to American forcing the Mexicans south of the border.

We have all seen the Absolut advertisements, but this is one that was primarily if not only shown in Mexico. It caused such an uproar (including a boycott) that the company apologized and removed it, preventing further display in Mexico and the United States.

I personally found this image laughable. Events and treaties like these are often a part of history that is "forgotten." But it is only when we address and accept the actions, decisions, and mistakes made in the past (by our country) that we can truly begin to make progress in the world of justice and equality.

...but what do I know?

(This photo was originally presented to me in a White Privilege seminar directed by Art Munin [www.artmunin.com])