Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 5/20/09 Section: Culture

Outside of Todd Hall are 100 crosses, each representing 100 deaths. The display represents the 10,000 or more deaths that have occurred between the Mexican-American border. The display was created by MEChA, for Western's Chicano week, and shares a view some may forget-- it is not just a political issue on what to do about immigration, it can be an issue about life and death.
Many of the crosses in the display read, "Ni una muerte mas," which means "Not another death." The display, appropriately titled "Deaths at the Border" was meant to make students think about the issue from another point of view. Cristal Sandoval, MEChA president, said, "MEChA wanted to bring awareness to the unnecessary deaths at the border as a result of extreme heat and cold weather conditions. In addition some deaths were a result of the racial-discrimination crimes by border patrol."
MEChA's other display was a collage of news stories, quotes, pictures and offensive terms sometimes used to refer to Chicanos, such as "Beaner." Hanging from the ceiling above the display were photographs and information about prominent and historical Chicanos and information about MEChA, among other topics.
The displays gave students information that may have been new, as well as another point-of-view to consider. For more information on Chicano issues, contact Cristal Sandoval or another MEChA member at MEChA@wou.edu, or you can attend one of their weekly meetings.

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