MAC's Rodarte Collection

It shouldn't be much of a surprise that I like to watch YouTube videos. I watch cooking, beauty, and music videos. It's something that I quite enjoy doing. The YouTube videos always seem more interesting than TV to me.

But last week, I seen this video. And to be completely honest, it angered me...



It angered me, because Katherine does not seem well educated on the entire subject matter. And she is throwing out accusations about MAC, Rodarte, and the entire Juarez situation. So I commented. And she didn't approve my comments. I figured because I didn't agree with her opinions. And she most certainly didn't want to hear the "other" side of the story.



But then, Nat posted this video late last night. And I felt like she addressed the topic in a more tasteful manner. She didn't try and shove it down your throat. So I sent her a message. Because I felt like I could give her more of my side of the story. The side that frequently is overlooked and not discussed.

Why am I so passionate about this topic? Because I live and work in the Borderland. And I frequently go across the border for college and professional projects. Not to party. But to go and help the people in Juarez. Mostly the kids and the women.

There is so much violence going on. And people just don't care. We hear about it every single day on the news. Mass graves are found. Shootouts are happening. But the news rarely, if ever, leaves this area. On Friday, another mass grave was found. Over 30 bodies. There have been countless shootouts this past month. During one of those shootouts, bullets made their way to the US side of the border. Into a government building. But how many Americans hear about that?

I see myself as someone who is well educated on the topic. One year, we made life sized dolls. Each representing a woman who had been murdered, or was missing. And we put them up on our college campus. To signify the women who were affected by the violence. That was probably the first time people really began to see the violence as a serious issue.

So when I heard that MAC Cosmetics was teaming up with Rodarte, for a collection based on the violence in Juarez, I was happy. I figured the story would finally be told to a wide variety of people. I agree, the PR for the collection was handled poorly. But to sit here and tear down a company because they are trying to bring light to this topic, it's ridiculous!

I see MAC as trying to spread the word about the violence. I've known women and children who have been killed. I watch the news every sing night. And I see what the violence is doing to the Borderland. Not just Juarez. I applaud MAC for trying to bring this topic to light.

I work in the medical field. Many times, my life is endangered to save these women and children. I can't even began to tell you how many times I've been loaded into an ambulance, wearing a helmet and a bullet proof vest, to go pick up someone who is injured. Just a few months ago, 2 Americans were killed. Because they would provide aid to the children of Juarez. The man was a police office in the US. And the lady, she was expecting the couple's 2nd child.

The violence is maddening. But people's ignorance, it tears me apart more. People are always quick to judge. But they forget that there is a story to be told. That people live a life. That not everyone's life is the same. There are young women working in maquillas, making goods that we buy, in very poor conditions. The same age as the countless teenage girls who are on YouTube making videos about the new MAC collections.

I do admit, MAC failed miserably with this collection. They could have donated more money to the various groups that assist in Juarez. Their advertising posters were not well thought out. But the names of the various products, I see nothing wrong with it. Actually, I had printed off some PR stuff that I had come across. And I took it with me one day. The women were really excited about this. They felt like so many people would learn about their stories. And maybe, help would come.

None were offended by the names. We talked about it. Including mothers who had lost their children. But people jumped the gun here. I'm disappointed in the ignorance of people. Their complete inability to go out and do some research for themselves. This was a good thing. And now, so many people have helped to put a black cloud over it. Remember, knowledge is everything. Educate yourself on the topic before speaking out. Know about the topic before making judgements and trying to prosecute people. MAC was looking to do some good for a community that desperately needs it.♥