IF I DIE IN JUAREZ

Stella Pope Duarte

University of Arizona Press, 2008

Plot Summary

Thirteen-year old, Evita Reynosa, struggles with the dangerous life on the streets of Juárez after being run out of her home by her mother. She begins to live with Isidora, a woman who houses prostitutes, and deals in drugs. Her cousin, Petra de la Rosa, comes to the city from the small village of Montenegro with her family, as they seek medical help for her ailing father. Unknown to Petra, another village girl, Mayela, a Tarahumara Indian girl, also migrates to Juárez with her aunt. Petra and her mother begin working at an American owned maquiladora, while Evita runs the risk of the city’s streets, and Mayela settles in one of the worst colonias in all of Juárez. After the abduction of Petra de la Rosa by a powerful cartel leader, the women unite to secure her release living out the nightmare faced by hundreds of women in Juárez—the possibility of being abducted and murdered. An unforgettable story of love rises above the city’s darkness for the three young women, Evita, Petra and Mayela, mysteriously linking them to the heart of their ancient ancestors, and the cry of modern women for an end to the Juárez murders.

Discussion Topics

Evita describes herself as belonging to a “family of freaks.” What has caused her to come to this conclusion? How does her lack of identity contribute to her getting lost on the streets of Juárez?

The Mexican police play a morbid role in the murders, often accepting bribes “mordidas” as payment for silence. In what other ways do they perpetuate the murders?

Pope Duarte examines the role of “human predators,” both male and female, in Juárez. What conditions in the city contribute to their success? Discuss men and women who preyed on Evita, Petra and Mayela.

How was Petra’s life in Montenegro different from Evita’s life in Juárez? What roles did Petra’s mother and grandmother play in her life? In what ways did Petra’s personality change after she moved to Juárez?

The Juárez murders are described as femicides, hatred of women that leads to murder. How are the femicides viewed by: Cristal, Isidora, Evita, Flor, Abuela Teodora, Petra and Ester (Petra’s little sister).

How does Pope Duarte relate the title of the book to Estevan de la Rosa? What obstacles did Estevan face in Juárez? How did his identity as “head of the family,” change?

The NAFTA Agreement signed in 1992 was pivotal in dismantling the corn economy of Mexico and bringing about the loss of farms in rural communities. What additional problems were inflicted on the working poor of Mexico by the NAFTA Agreement? In what ways have American maquiladoras contributed to the crimes? How have they perpetuated the cycle of poverty?