"New Mexico True" is a campaign by the New Mexico Tourism Department. The videos showcase activities and landmarks in the state. But an advocacy group made parodies of these videos to highlight child poverty in the state.
VisitNewMexico YouTube
New Mexico offers stunning ski slopes, high desert vistas and cultural sites, all sights you'll see in the state's tourism campaign called "New Mexico True."
But the state also has the highest child poverty rate in the nation — a truth that an advocacy group highlighted with its parody campaign, "New Mexico Truth."
In the original video, you can see footage of children making strands of chili peppers and frolicking at the White Sands National Monument. It's the same image you'll see in the parody campaign — but with a different message.
"This is New Mexico, where we celebrate our unique cuisine and turn a blind eye to our hungry children. New Mexico. Truth," that ad says.
The parody was created by Allen Sanchez, who runs a Catholic children's organization with the biggest home visiting program in the state.
"In New Mexico we have an epidemic," he says. "So if you imagine a potter, and while the pot is being formed, while that clay is wet, that's like the child's brain as it's spinning and they're forming that clay. But in New Mexico before that clay can harden, we like to poke holes in it. So imagine this beautiful pot, holes being poked in it. Those are adverse child experiences."
Pediatricians Urged To Screen For Poverty At Child Check-Ups
These experiences include poverty. Many experts see early childhood education such as home visiting and pre-kindergarten as the remedy. Sanchez is pushing to increase early childhood programs for that reason.
"How can we live knowing that this is the state that has the highest rate of children in poverty? The third highest in hunger? The worst graduation rate? All of this is connected, and if we do nothing then we're failing, and we're failing ourselves," he says.
Monique Jacobson, who was the tourism secretary when the New Mexico True campaign was created, was not amused by the campaign. She now runs the state's child welfare agency.
"I found it to be heartbreaking," Jacobson says. "I do think it's critical that we draw attention to what's going on with our children and our families here in New Mexico, but I think there's a way to do it that's actionable and that's positive, and unfortunately I think they did it in a way that was destructive and divisive."
How Is New Mexico Doing?
Jacobson was tasked with turning around an agency facing high staff turnover and a string of high-profile child abuse cases. It's a job made even tougher, she says, by an anemic state budget gutted by plummeting oil and gas revenues.
"It's critical that we find ways to diversify our economy here in New Mexico, and that's something that the tourism industry — particularly the New Mexico True campaign — has had incredible success doing," she says.
No one is happy about the status of New Mexico's children. In fact, state lawmakers have steadily increased funding for early childhood programs.
"Is it enough? It may not be," says Rachel Gudgel, director of the state's Legislative Education Study Committee. "Are we being thoughtful and are we really trying to prioritize those programs? Absolutely."
But that funding isn't enough, Sanchez says. He says too much funding has gone to tax cuts and to tax credits for industries that haven't helped the state's economy. He plans to keep up the pressure by rolling out another series of ads this summer.
"New Mexico Truth is just getting started," he says.
It is really upsetting to hear about child poverty rates around the world. These kids should be having fun, and going to school, not worrying about where their next meal will come from. New Mexico has the 3 highest child poverty rate, which is so sad to hear. It is good to hear that, "Sanchez is pushing to increase early childhood programs for that reason" (NPR).
ReplyDeleteMegan Welter Per. 2
It is heartbreaking to hear about the child poverty in New Mexico. Jacobson stated, "It's critical that we find ways to diversify our economy here in New Mexico, and that's something that the tourism industry — particularly the New Mexico True campaign — has had incredible success doing” (NPR). New Mexico has the highest rate of children in poverty, the third highest in hunger, and the worst graduations rate. I think it is really important to focus on improving these statistics. Luckily, Sanches is trying to increase childhood programs to help get children out of poverty.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Lasecke per.2
Child poverty around is very upsetting and it is horrible to hear about it. These kids should not have to wory about how they are going to pay for their food. Kids need to be able to have fun and get and education. "Sanchez is pushing to increase early childhood programs for that reason" (NPR). It is good to hear this because New Mexico has the three highest child poverty rates.
ReplyDeleteKaci Pebley
Period 2
New Mexico is a beautiful place with, "stunning ski slopes, high desert vistas and cultural sites, all sights you'll see in the state's tourism campaign... but the state also has the highest child poverty rate in the nation" (NPR). For every place there are highs and lows, and I'm not talking about geography. The poverty rates are high and it is so sad. It has the highest poverty rate in the US; that needs to be fixed. We need to do something about it. The question is, what should we do?
ReplyDeleteMichelle Koopman, period 1
It is so sad to hear about children poverty when i grew up when i had everything I wanted. I feel so bad for these kids. These kids need structure to grow. The following quote explains further, "Sanchez is pushing to increase early childhood programs for that reason" (NPR).
ReplyDeleteMaggie Couch Per. 4
Delete"the state also has the highest child poverty rate in the nation." Mexico is interesting it has good things and bad things about it like any other country. Although having many starving children is sad, I think if people work toward fixing the problem it will eventually get done. It may take a long time but eventually with time the problem will be resolved
ReplyDeleteIt seems there are a lot of places that have poverty issues while still being centers of tourism. Certain southern European countries have high poverty rates, while still maintaining the highest tourism. Mexico provides several different areas that can provide centers of production and economics. They should use this to their advantage and attempt to provide the best opportunities for children they can. Having "Sanchez is [push] to increase early childhood programs for that reason" (NPR) is a great opportunity for children as it can strengthen their social and productive skills. Resolutions will come slow but if we aggressively take action against poverty we can eventually solve this issue.
ReplyDeleteIt seems there are a lot of places that have poverty issues while still being centers of tourism. Certain southern European countries have high poverty rates, while still maintaining the highest tourism. Mexico provides several different areas that can provide centers of production and economics. They should use this to their advantage and attempt to provide the best opportunities for children they can. Having "Sanchez is [push] to increase early childhood programs for that reason" (NPR) is a great opportunity for children as it can strengthen their social and productive skills. Resolutions will come slow but if we aggressively take action against poverty we can eventually solve this issue.
ReplyDeleteLasse Nordahl
DeletePeriod 6
Poverty is a tough enough life, but i can't imagine being a kid living in poverty. I grew up not having to worry about what seems to be a basic need. For some people though, it does not come easily or even at all. I hope there is a solution to this problem, it is something nobody should have to go though.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine being a kid and in poverty. Poverty is already really hard enough. I really hope this solution gets fixed. People should. Not have to go through this.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy that there is so much child poverty. People in America forget that there is child poverty here in our country, rather than looking overseas and pitying the children and people there. We should be extremely concerned about every child in our country and the rising homelessness/hunger rate in America. Just like the interviewer stated; "How can we live knowing that this is the state that has the highest rate of children in poverty? The third highest in hunger? The worst graduation rate? All of this is connected, and if we do nothing then we're failing, and we're failing ourselves" and not only are we failing ourselves, but the children. So sad that we continue to ignore these blatant signs of poverty in America and fail the people who need our help the most. :(
ReplyDelete"How can we live knowing that this is the state that has the highest rate of children in poverty? The third highest in hunger? The worst graduation rate? All of this is connected, and if we do nothing then we're failing, and we're failing ourselves (NPR).” It is awful to hear about the child poverty rates around the world and to hear that the highest are in New Mexico. I think it is important that this is fixed and hope we can find a way to do that, because no child should have to go through that.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Willis per.5
After reading this article I can't believe that there is child poverty in New Mexico. New Mexico poverty rates are higher then any other state in the united states. I think that New Mexico needs to focus on improving their funding for early child hood programs to help fight child poverty."I agree with Rachel Gudgel, director of the state's legislative education study committee,that New Mexico needs to be really thoughtful and really needs to prioritize child hood programs in the state.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I can't believe that there is child poverty in New Mexico. New Mexico poverty rates are higher then any other state in the united states. I think that New Mexico needs to focus on improving their funding for early child hood programs to help fight child poverty."I agree with Rachel Gudgel, director of the state's legislative education study committee,that New Mexico needs to be really thoughtful and really needs to prioritize child hood programs in the state.
ReplyDeleteIts sad to think that there is so much child poverty going on and I think America needs a wake up call. When many people think of poverty they think of Africa and don't realize that poverty is happening in our own country. "How can we live knowing that this is the state that has the highest rate of children in poverty? The third highest in hunger? The worst graduation rate? All of this is connected, and if we do nothing then we're failing, and we're failing ourselves"(NPR). I think America needs to do something about this.
ReplyDelete