Clammy
Contributor
This isn't really a valid argument. I volunteered to work with kids in Detroit for a few weeks a few years ago in one of the worst neighborhoods there. A guy got stabbed right in front of where I was staying, and I was out there with a first aid kit and an off duty officer while an ambulance was 2 blocks away who couldn't come in without a police escort because it was so bad. However, we know detroit is bad. It's largely a socio-economical issue up there. It's repeatedly ranked as one of the worst cities in decline here. It's also not a tourist place or a place that pretty much anyone puts on their list of places to visit. It's not our shining example of a city but it's not complete chaos there either. It's a lot of individuals doing bad things but there are a lot of other individuals fighting hard to stop it and get the city back on it's feet. They draw a line as communities and fight it, not just trying to survive.
Mexico isn't complete chaos either, just some areas at the moment. However, I think the comment "Mexico is Mexico..." wasn't totally wrong. I know those of you that live in Mexico took it very insultingly. But culturally and socially we are all very different as countries and even parts of countries. Los Angeles is Los Angeles. That means in L.A. I expect to have to drive, not get anywhere with public transportation, have weather that's, warm, hot, and melting. That Compton or East LA is generally unsafe and that Rodeo Drive is ridiculously expensive. In New York I would expect that I wouldn't want a car, could get anywhere with public transportation, that there's a higher chance than I'm comfortable with that I'll get mugged if I walk through certain parts of the city at night, and that if I don't pay attention while walking across the streets, someone may hit me with their car. You can use this in almost anywhere in a comparative or even objective sense. Africa is Africa, Bhutan is Bhutan etc etc. There are certain things that people will expect and be more wary or aware of wherever they are from countries to cities in those countries. In Mexico, certain crime rates are higher than the U.S. Murders are 3 times more prevalent as are robberies (according to the U.N.). Anyone going to Mexico from Northerly countries across the globe get warned about certain things, to be careful of certain things, don't drink the water etc etc. And if you go near the border areas, you get reminded that if you get pulled over to bribe the cop etc etc.
That being said, there are also good things. Obviously people still go. It's not always necessarily cheaper in mexico in the tourist areas. But, Mexico is Mexcio.. you expect warm waters, friendly resorts, Good tequila, good food, a chance to haggle for some well made handmade stuff.. as well as poorly made crap souvenirs. In ANY country where tourism is big business, it's going to be safer than the normal areas. There's a vested interest by local government and they will take extra measures to make sure tourists feel safe and keep coming back with those dollars, euros, yen, won, yuen, and pesos. I'm going to cozumel in January and other than some concern about some of my dive gear getting stolen, I have no concern about my physical safety from sober criminals.... but I wouldn't go to Tijuana right now at all.
Mexico probably is worse than the U.S. in regards to some types of violent crimes. The U.S. produces some of the weirdest serial killers on the planet. The Mexican police is known to be and more likely to be corrupt, the American population is more likely to scape goat immigrants for our problems (I have very strong anti amnesty opinions myself but I'm trying to be objective about this and putting those out of this or my conclusions here). The Mexicans on this board are wrong to accuse our police of being just as bad and the Americans are wrong to believe that we'd be dodging bullets in every part of Mexico. We have more aggravated assaults, they have more robberies.
I guess my point is, in either case, let's try not to vilify entire populations and countries.
