cornography

Mexicans invented corn. There are hundreds of varieties, sizes, colors and kernal mixes. Corn has been so thoroughly engineered by human hands that it cannot reproduce itself without intervention by people. It would otherwise die if left to grow on its own. Indigenous groups ate corn so often, they believed themselves to be made of it.

The best corn tortillas I ever had were grown in the remote mountains of Oaxaca, ground by hand and cooked over a wooden stove.

Indigenous religious and naturalistic cultivation systems that steadily guided the cultivation of corn over thousands of years in the Americas have given way to mechanized farming and agribusiness. The number of Mexicans who can make a living growing and selling corn has steadily declined. Corn is so plentiful it is mostly used as feed for animals. The amount of popcorn contained in a movie theater bag/box is worth less than the paper container.

The United States government also pays more than 9 billion dollars a year in subsidies to US farmers that grow corn so they can more effectively manage the supply of corn, but still compensate the farmer who makes on average $80,000 a year, partially not to do anything.

Thanks to NAFTA, Mexicans now pay the United States for much of their corn. 6 million metric tons in 2002.

Let Mexicans grown their own corn.