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Music in One of the World's Most Violent Cities
Fifteen-year-old Esteban, a clarinetist from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, uses music to survive his chaotic environment (4:22)
Supported by: The Pulitzer Center on Crisis
Reporting by: Dominic Bracco II / Prime and Susana Seijas
Related:
The Romneys’ Mexican History
Mitt Romney’s father was born in a small Mormon enclave where family members still live, surrounded by rugged beauty and violent drug cartels
May 2012 |
By Héctor Tobar
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Comments (3)
My mother was born and raised in Cd. Juarez and my brother and I would go with her to visit relatives during summer vacations when we were children. Those were happy times in my life. The city was safe and we would go out after dark with relatives, either walking or by car or bus, to escape the heat of the day and relish in the cool dusty breezes of the night. Everyone had a smile on their face and a spirit of, um, it's hard to explain, but a spirit of adventure and fun, a sort of "lively festivity" prevailed, so different from my home in Los Angeles. This was more than 50 years ago. I am sick at heart at what has happened to this city and its people, where many of my (deceased) mother's relatives still live, although some have moved across the border to El Paso to live and work now. Unfortunately, I have lost my connection with my Mexican side thru the years and have not been back to visit since 1968; nevertheless, I still worry about their collective safety and hope and pray for the best for them, and others, like Esteban. May God bless them all and protect them, and help them find a way to survive, day by day, as Esteban has.
Posted by Dolores Blackburn on June 16,2012 | 02:16 AM
His story is like mine and many others. During high school I lived for Marching band. I lived to take out my trumpet and blow it. Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. I lost myself in the music and stayed out of the street/dope game that many of my friends got into. My band director mentored me and got me into college through a small music scholarship. I took it from there and became a Math Teacher. I still love to blow my trumpet and I still love the feeling it gives me in my heart. Keep playing your clarinet Esteban ... Keep playing. This is an example why music and the arts should NEVER be taken out our public schools.
Posted by Sampson James on May 13,2012 | 04:33 PM
I love the courage of this young man. His story is one of hope and why, I think, all societies look to their youth to lead them. Thank you for sharing this beautiful spark of love and life in a desperate and fragile city.
Posted by Sharyn Hood on April 25,2012 | 03:49 PM