The Compromise Ends and the Counterattack Begins 1975-1991


 


Summary of the Videos


            The video entitled, “Women of Change” quoted an adage from  that states, “The new electronic interdependence recreates the world in the image of a global village”. This adage is the emphasis of the whole film, as the video features several women who play important roles in both the Canadian and Mexican society. Josephine, a social activist in Canada and a member of the LIFT has shown to the society, most especially to the Canadian government of the growing gap between the rich and poor in Canada. Berta, on the other hand, a mother of two children and a member of the FAT in Mexico, has also been active in supporting labour groups and the upholding the rights of women in Mexico. These two women and the other members of their institutions have been responsible in showing women in their societies that they have to be treated equally in the society, and have emphasized their rights as individuals. The video emphasized the interdependence of countries around the world, thus, developing the global village, where every citizen is the concern of the other, regardless of culture or language. This has been proven in the film through the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Mexico, which has been used by both countries and social activist and labour unions in both countries as a means for protecting the rights of citizens, especially of women. It has been emphasized that through the agreement, several problems concerning the working conditions, wages, and poverty of citizens were addressed and gradually given attention by governments, thus, providing more services and programs that would benefit and improve the working class in both countries. Moreover, the video pointed out that through free trade agreements groups are able to forge social links between peoples and countries, thus, helping each other to shape the future of many individuals through the work that they are doing. The video emphasized that these women are able to inspire and change the lives of other women in the society, and show them that change can be done through action of fighting of their rights as individuals.


            The video entitled, “No Looking Back” emphasized the life-changing actions of certain individuals, such as Robert White who has been able to fight for the rights of the working class during the 1980s. The social working class of Canada has gone through a lot of sufferings in terms of their rights and privileges from their employers. The highlight of this video is the suffering and obstacle undergone by the working class during that period due to the effects of the Great Depression. Several crises have been raised in the film, including wage parity, especially between men and women, absence of language rights, laying-off of employees, existence of concessions, and job security among the Canadian working class. The video also emphasized the existence cooperation between the United States and Canada, which affects the operations of international companies such as Ford and Chrysler. In addition, the wages of the American working class is 20% higher than the wages of Canadians, despite the same contribution and the same work being exerted. As such, many social activists believe that the answer to autonomy is independence, thus, the pushing through of the CAW. This video has shown the hard work exhibited by trade union leaders and the working class who believe that the success of the industrial sector in Canada lies in the industries’ capacity to provide decent work and wages and job security for its workers. This was shown by the Canadian people by fighting the free trade from the United States, which they believe would undermine their rights as workers and as individuals. Through the video, it has been shown that through a vision of a better world for working people, anything is possible if everybody would work together to achieve their goals.


 


Comparison and Contrast


            Both of these films or videos have shown that changes in the society and in the lives of many individuals are possible through knowledge, experience, perseverance, confidence, and cooperation. Knowledge of the industry and of the lives and experiences of other people would enable one to realize the need for change, such as what Josephine, Berta, and Robert have exhibited. They know that change is needed because they have in the same situation as other individuals suffering from their plight. Perseverance and confidence are values that have been shown in both films, which have helped the larger groups of individuals in their situations. Without the perseverance, hard work and confidence of Josephine, Berta, and Robert, many workers have still been suffering from indecent wages and working conditions, and harassment from their employers. In addition, the changes being fought for in both films would not have been possible through cooperation. In this regard, the success of the endeavors and the principles of the three mentioned individuals are also attributed to the support and help of their comrades who have also been sharing the same principles, experiences, and endeavors with them. This also includes their families and friends who serve to be their inspirations and their strengths to be able to fight the battle. Another similarity of both films is the emphasis on the importance and the significance given to the working class of Canada, including Mexico and the United States. The films have shown that the citizens in these countries have high regard for labour, and this was exhibited through their actions and missions to fight for the rights of every citizens both men and women, in the industrial working sector. Both the films were able to prove the citizens’ high regard for their freedom and for their rights as individuals and as workers, and this were shown through the strikes of the employees from both Chrysler and General Motors, and through the perseverance of women activists, such as Josephine Grey in Geneva, Switzerland.


            Moreover, aside from the high regard for the working class shown in the two videos, another similarity also include the concern shown by citizens with the welfare and the conditions of other citizens despite the difference in culture and language. Social workers and activists in the films have extended their care, passion, and education to citizens despite the difference in culture and language to improve their living and working conditions. This was shown in the video “Women of Change” through conducting seminars to Mexican women who have been victims in their working environments and families, and through these seminars, the women are given hope and belief that there is still life after their negative experiences. Despite the difference in language and culture, through the seminars the women have been able to realize that someone cares for their welfare and would do everything to help and support them, and to give them hope after the storm. In the video “No Looking Back”, the concern of the union leaders, such as Robert White has been extended to other individuals by submerging to the real situation and joining the strikes himself. This action has shown the deepest sincerity and solidarity of Robert White with the causes and the aims of the working class. Furthermore, both videos emphasized the discrimination against women in the industrial sector, as many become harassed and exploited, having done manly jobs. This was raised by one of the maquiladoras in a Juarez factory, who have been fired by her employer due to her association or sympathy with a union.    


            Despite similarities are the differences of the two videos. Primarily, the video “No Looking Back” dealt with the concerns and the needs of the working class in general. These needs include wage parity, job security, and absence of language rights. On the other hand, the video “Women of Change” dealt with specific issues, such as exploitation, sexual harassment, and domestic violence against women. These issues were raised against the Juarez factories, as many women working as maquiladoras in the factory receive harsh treatments from their employers. Another difference of the two videos includes the emphasis on the use of strikes. The video “No Looking Back” emphasized on the general experiences of the working class as a whole, especially on how it was able to organize strikes against their employers, such as General Motors and Chrysler. On the other hand, the video “Women of Change” never used the organization of strikes in order to get what they want, but seek the help and support of international organizations. In this regard, the difference in the approach of men and women activists and social workers has been emphasized, for men including Robert White settled for the use of strikes, which may result to violence or tension. However, the women, including Josephine Grey used a much diplomatic approach, which resulted to forums or talks that would discuss the current situation or problem. Another difference is the fact that the video “No Looking Back” shown the importance of having independence in terms of deciding for the future and the welfare of the working class in Canada, thus, resulting to the birth of the CAW. On the contrary, the video “Women of Change” emphasized on the importance of free trade agreements that provided support for the exploited women in Mexico. From this, the approach and decisions of men and women can be differed, as Robert White decided to become independent, as being exhibited by men in general, while Josephine and other women social worker emphasized the roles and support of other groups or individuals in their endeavors.


 


Self-Analysis


            In my opinion, I believe that the video “Women of Change” has made a better case than the video “No Looking Back”. This is because it has been able to emphasize on the rights of women in the workplace, in the home, and in the society. Because this was effectively expressed in the video, I believe that it would provide realization to the Canadian society and to other societies of the importance that must be given to women in the society and in the workplace. Although both videos were able to express and provide relevant and useful knowledge to its audiences, I personally believe that the video “Women of Change” has given much more information and regard on the importance of women in the society, as not only having domestic roles in the community. With this, it can be understood that through this video, the image and the reputation of women have been empowered and uplifted.


            Although both videos have presented proofs and evidences to support their arguments and claims, I believe that the video “No Looking Back” may seem more credible than the other. This is because the arguments are supported with actual and historical events that are significant in the history of the Canadian government. This does not mean that the other video did not present credible and reliable proofs of their claim. However, the video “Women of Change” has focused on certain lives of common individuals, and this approach seemed selective, as other individuals may also have their own stories and experiences to share. However, the other video focused on the exact historical events and facts that really happened in the Canadian society. As such, this video may seem more credible than the other one.


            The two videos are not difficult to compare because they both have similarities that are easy to decipher and take note of. Both the videos expressed almost the same views and opinions regarding uplifting and fighting for the rights of the working class, and this matter seem easy to understand and apply in the recent industrial setting. Although both videos have similarities, slight differences can be detected, and includes the approach of the videos, such as the generality of the concerns of the video “No Looking Back” and the specificity of the video “Women of Change”.   


 


 


References



Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com


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