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Check FAQAbout Eileen
Eileen Truax is a veteran journalist specialized in migration and politics. She’s a Knight-Wallace Fellow 2019-2020 at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in Ann Arbor. Eileen was born in Mexico City, where she was a political reporter and a Congress correspondent. In 2004 she moved to Los Angeles. For seven years she worked for La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the US. In recent years her work has been published in several media outlets in the US, Latin America and Spain, such as The Washington Post, Vice, El Universal, Americas Quarterly, The New York Times ES, Newsweek ES, Gatopardo magazine and 5W magazine, among others. She's the author of three books: Dreamers: an Immigrant Generation's Fight for their American Dream (Beacon Press 2015); We Built the Wall. How the US keeps out asylum seekers from Mexico, Central America and Beyond (Verso 2018), and How does it feel to be unwanted. Stories of resistance and resilience from Mexicans living in the United States (Beacon Press 2018). All of them have been published in Spanish too, and her work has been published in six other books. Eileen has a B.A. in Social Communication and an M.A. in Communication and Politics (Summa Cum Laude). She has been a fellow with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ); the International Women Media Foundation (IWMF), and the Iber-American Foundation for New Journalism (FNPI). She has also been a board member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). Currently she’s the Content Director of the International Migration Journalism Symposium, an annual event celebrated in Mérida, Spain.
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How is it possible that being a journalist in Mexico is so cruel?
Reyna Haydee Ramírez, an independent journalist and co-founder of the Red Sonora de Periodistas, recounts the harsh realities of being a journalist in Mexico, including harassment by government officials, death threats, and the co-opting of journalists outside the capital. She discusses the ineffectiveness of the government-implemented protection mechanism for human rights defenders and journalists, and the symbiotic relationship between the government and media, where advertising contracts are exchanged for favorable coverage. Reyna, who has been displaced since 2019, reflects on her career and the difficult choices journalists must make in the face of intimidation and violence.
The White War Criminal
Henry Kissinger is portrayed as a war criminal who supported the killings of civilians in Indochina, anti-communist purges in Indonesia, the attempted annihilation of East Timor, and the genocide in Bangladesh in 1971. Christopher Hitchens' book 'Juicio a Kissinger' is cited as a detailed account of these allegations. The article suggests that being white and Western exempts one from accountability for human rights violations.
Migrations
Revista 5W presents a series of articles on migration, highlighting the plight of refugees and migrants across various regions. The articles cover topics such as the forgotten shipwreck off the coast of Senegal, the exploitation of refugees in Libya, the fragility of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, the digital border wall between the US and Mexico, and the contrasting treatment of refugees in Poland. The publication sheds light on the human rights issues and the lack of a common protocol for searching for missing migrants in Europe.
Ramón LOVE
Ramón Lobo, a father figure of Revista 5W and a veteran correspondent, passed away in Madrid, 2023. He worked for El País for two decades, covering significant events in the Balkans, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. After a forced departure from El País in 2012, he continued as a freelance journalist, contributing to various media forms. Lobo was known for his generous spirit and his eagerness to mentor the next generation of reporters. He had a deep passion for football and was a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid, with hopes of seeing Kylian Mbappé play and attending the inaugural match at the new Santiago Bernabéu.
From Tension in Kosovo to Protests in Senegal
International tensions and events are highlighted, starting with ethnic unrest in Kosovo leading to injuries and NATO's deployment of additional troops. In Ukraine, Russian bombings in Kiev have intensified, with Ukrainian President Zelenski seeking more support against these attacks. Turkish President Erdogan won a closely contested election, securing his leadership amidst a divided country. Senegal experienced violent protests following the imprisonment of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, resulting in fatalities. Other key issues include a trial against journalist Nilufar Hamedi in Iran, the assassination of a radio broadcaster in the Philippines, a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ law in Uganda, and a UN warning about the impact of floods in Somalia. An environmental report indicates that seven of nine planetary boundaries that support human life have been crossed.
‘Axolotl’, the nostalgia of utopia
The axolotl, an amphibian endemic to the Valle de México, is deeply rooted in the cultural and natural heritage of Mexico City. The species, which is now endangered, has been historically significant in Aztec narratives, where it is associated with Xólotl, the brother of the god Quetzalcóatl. The author expresses a personal connection to the axolotl and highlights its fascinating characteristics and its symbolic resistance to extinction.
The crusade against cell phones in the classrooms of Spain
In late October 2023, an article by Barcelona doctor Francisco Villar published in El País sparked a nationwide conversation in Spain about the need to ban cell phones for children and adolescents. Villar, who has witnessed a rise in suicidal behavior among youth, is the coordinator of the Suicide Behavior Care Program for Minors at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona. The issue quickly gained traction, leading to the formation of a parent group on Telegram named ALM (Adolescència Lliure de Mòbil), which grew to over ten thousand members. They advocate for banning cell phones in schools, citing various reports and statistics, including a Unicef Spain study on the impact of technology on adolescents. The Spanish Ministry of Education, led by Pilar Alegría, proposed a national ban on cell phones in primary schools and regulation in secondary schools. The debate has highlighted the challenges parents face in managing their children's screen time and the need for state regulation to support families. The article also references the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in California, known for its screen-free environment, and comments from tech industry figures like Bill Gates and former Silicon Valley executives who limit screen time for their own children.
In the US, hate groups recruit military, police, and firefighters
A report in the United States has revealed that hate groups, including the far-right militia Oath Keepers involved in the Capitol assault, are recruiting members from the military, navy, police chiefs, and firefighters who share ideologies of white supremacists, nationalists, anti-immigrants, anti-Muslims, anti-Semites, and racists. The Oath Keepers, classified as a hate group, have been active in at least 23 cities and include government workers with high-security access. The report by the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism highlights the deep-rooted presence of these ideologies in U.S. institutions, predating and expected to outlast the Trump presidency. The Southern Poverty Law Center has documented hate groups for 20 years, with the highest number recorded in 2018. The FBI's hate crime statistics are considered incomplete due to reporting deficiencies, with an estimated 250,000 hate crimes occurring annually between 2005 and 2019.
The hands of Mexico that move the United States
The article discusses the significant presence and influence of Mexican immigrants in the United States, highlighting their contributions to various sectors such as hospitality, cuisine, and agriculture. It notes that there are 38 million Mexicans in the US, with a substantial portion born in Mexico, and emphasizes their demographic and economic impact, including remittances sent back to Mexico. The piece also addresses the diverse reasons for migration, including economic opportunity, safety, and medical needs. It critiques both the US and Mexican governments for their treatment of Mexican immigrants and celebrates the cultural identity and resilience of the Mexican community in the US.
The hands of Mexico that move the US
The article discusses the significant presence and influence of Mexicans in the United States, highlighting their contributions to various sectors such as hospitality, cuisine, and agriculture. It emphasizes the demographic and economic impact of the 38 million Mexicans living in the US, including their younger median age and the substantial remittances sent back to Mexico. The piece also explores the diverse reasons for migration, from economic opportunities to escaping violence and seeking medical treatment. It critiques both the US and Mexican governments for their respective roles in the migration process and the treatment of Mexican immigrants. The article concludes by celebrating the cultural identity and resilience of Mexicans in the US, who maintain their traditions and contribute to the social fabric of American society.
White Man, Woman of Color: The Biden-Harris Duo, a Reflection of the U.S.
Kamala Harris, a woman of African-American and Asian-American descent, has been breaking barriers throughout her career, becoming the first non-white District Attorney in San Francisco, the first female, African-American, and Asian-American Attorney General of California, and later a U.S. Senator. Joe Biden's selection of Harris as his vice-presidential candidate reflects the diversity of the United States and could signal a shift in leadership style. Harris' personal and political evolution, including her support for universal healthcare, marijuana legalization, and the Green New Deal, exemplifies the influence of the times on political figures. Her candidacy is seen as a move to attract a broad coalition of voters, including women, youth, Latinos, African-Americans, Asians, and progressives.
Eileen teaches a writing workshop for the Parents Task Force of Best Start Metro LA, a community partnership in Los Angeles. The stories produced by her students, mostly immigrant mothers, are published in the program's newsletter.
Mountain Wound
The article tells the story of Aura Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic, an indigenous Guatemalan environmental and human rights activist. It details her upbringing, her work against deforestation and exploitation of natural resources, and the threats and attacks she has faced as a result of her activism. Lolita is a founder of the Consejo de Pueblos Ki’che and has been internationally recognized for her work, including being a finalist for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. Despite the dangers, she continues to fight for the rights of her people and the preservation of their land, although she has had to flee Guatemala for her safety.
An excerpt from How Does It Feel To Be Unwanted?
The article tells the story of Claudia Amaro and her family, who have faced the challenges of deportation and the struggle to live in the United States. Claudia had to restart her life multiple times due to her father's murder, moving to the US, and her husband's deportation. The family's experience with the US immigration system, including detention centers and the threat of deportation, is detailed. The article also discusses the role of private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO in the detention of immigrants and the changes in US immigration policy under different administrations. Claudia's activism and work within the immigrant community in Wichita are highlighted, as well as her family's aspirations and fears for the future. The piece is an excerpt from Eileen Truax's book 'How Does It Feel to be Unwanted?' and provides insight into the human impact of immigration policies.
Washington Post Opinion: The U.S. must provide interpreters for indigenous migrants. It could save lives.
Opinion | The United States should be grateful for the work of immigrants
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential roles that immigrants play in the United States, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. Despite making up a significant portion of the workforce in these critical areas, many immigrant workers lack basic protections and are often vilified by the Trump administration. The article argues for the regularization and protection of the rights of essential workers, many of whom are immigrants risking their lives during the pandemic.
What Mexican Immigrants in America Want from Their New President
The article discusses the strained relations between Mexico and the United States, highlighting the negative perception of the US among Mexicans. A study by the Wilson Center shows a significant decline in Mexicans' trust towards the US, with only 30 percent having a positive view, and a mere 5 percent approving of President Trump in 2017. The article also touches on Mexico's immigration policy actions, such as the Programa Frontera Sur initiated under Obama's administration, and the Mexican government's compliance with US demands to curb Central American immigration. The president-elect of Mexico, AMLO, has shown resistance to Trump's policies, including filing a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against Trump's border wall and his treatment of immigrants, indicating a potential shift in Mexico's approach to immigration and its relationship with the US.
The Risk is Named César Chávez
The article discusses the film 'Chávez,' directed by Diego Luna, which portrays the life of civil rights leader César Chávez. It delves into the challenges faced during production, the casting decisions, and the film's focus on Chávez's personal sacrifices for the movement. The piece also touches on the broader Mexican-American experience and the cultural identity struggles within the United States. The film aims to represent and reconnect audiences on both sides of the border with their shared history. Criticism from Marshall Ganz, who was involved in the original movement, suggests the film may not fully capture the inclusiveness and strategic nature of Chávez's leadership.
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