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Photographer Leonel Monroy Jr. prepares to speak at Kent hall where his work is being displayed. Displayed at the University Museum on Thursday photos mounted across the walls gave the public a rare look at the struggle that the people of Juarez face everyday.
As part of the Second Annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium at New Mexico State University, two photo exhibitions on display entitled “World Class City,” by Julian Cardona, and “Juarez: Mother of The Disappeared,” by Leonel Monroy Jr. “World Class City” is a photo exhibition created by Cardona from pictures taken over a seven-year period. They portray the families that have been affected by the ongoing violence throughout Juarez and the border region.
“Juarez unmasks our failed ideas of state, society, war and justice. Most Juarez residents gain nothing from the unsustainable world class manufacturing that dominates the city’s legitimate economy,” Cardona said in a written statement. Cardona began taking the photos to document the unsolved murders of hundreds of young women, many of which remain unsolved.
The focus of this year’s symposium is “Justice for Women,” which examines issues relating with violence against women from all over the area.
Juarez based photographer, Julian Cardona answers questions at the Kent Hall Gallery where his work is being displayed. Another display told a similar story, but with different pictures. “Juarez: Mother of The Disappeared,” showed scenes of protests and demonstrations of organizations dedicated to justice.
Photojournalist Monroy, said it was his way of helping the families fight for justice. “I hope it changes things. It’s my small contribution to the cause,” Monroy said. Monroy thought he would never see these photos published. He has been taking pictures for about 13 years, roughly as long as the young women have been disappearing in the Mexican desert.
Whispers of discussion floated across the room as dozens of people file through both displays in the museum.
“It’s real hard. It’s hard for the mothers, and the families who are filled with frustration,”
said Lidia Monroy in Spanish.
Lidia is the mother of Monroy. “But this meeting is so good, it exposes the problems so these families can find justice.”
Cardona said the situation is enormous, but people are still blind to what is really happening in Juarez. “We flock to the border to see the faces of Juarez, to hear their cries for help. But we do not hear and the faces cannot answer.”
But both Cardona and Monroy are optimistic that their work, together with the symposium can bring attention to these crimes.
“Photography documents the plight of the victims’ loved ones, but most importantly, it gives voice to those who can no longer speak,” said Monroy.
