Friday, August 20, 2010

13 Days

It only took 13 days of living in Juarez for me to see a dead body. 13 days. What will I see in the next 10 years?

Stacey and I were headed back from the grocery store when we realized we couldn’t turn back into my neighborhood. And then we saw him. The newspaper salesman who sits on the corner of Juan Pablo II and Calle Arizona was doubled over with bullet wounds to the chest. My husband just bought a newspaper from him in the morning.


(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images, taken after another murder in Juarez on March 20, 2010)

My thoughts on the motive? It wasn’t a stray bullet, or a random act of violence. It was a man who failed to pay the quota. Here is Juarez everything seems to be divided up into territories. If you don’t pay money to the mafia to sell things on a certain corner, you may pay for it with your life.

My thoughts, prayers and love go out to this poor man, his family and the rest of this country that is being affected by these irrational acts of violence on a daily basis. Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this right now, but I feel the need to tell the truth about my time here in Juarez. I cannot say any more at this time.

7 comments:

  1. Emily,
    I am so sorry to hear about this experience. I really appreciate you taking the time to share of these experiences though. It gives us all perspective. I'm keeping you in my prayers!

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  2. Gees you all stay safe, there is no way I could live up north near the boarder. If you get sick of stuff like this you all should look into moving further south. Sorry you had to see this and Ill pray that you can clear you mind of it soon.

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  3. I'm sorry that this happened. Stay safe. And as horrible as it sounds, write about this stuff. These stories are important -- your story is important! Your voice and honesty are rare... yes, after 3 posts it's obvious.

    It was just about two weeks into my stay in Brazil that a kid got shot and died about a half block from me... I'd never heard the sound of a handgun before...

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  4. Oh girly I am sorry you have to see that. Stay safe.

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  5. Umh yead. Don't post anything like
    This ever. People are always watching shizz like this. Its horible but its true. The cartel has hands in a lot of things, and this is just a watever thing. They got bigger and worse things that happen. Idk. I'm just glad that u are safe and don't have to sell anything on the streets. I have a lot to say about this but ur right, can't here. Try to keep safe chicky, I know its a trip where u live, but wow. 10 years u will probly see other things.

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  6. How awful. :(

    ~*~

    Ceri

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