Educating Citizens in Postwar Guatemala.

¶ … Educating Citizens in Postwar Guatemala." This reading made the recent history of Guatemala seem much more real and violent, and it showed the tension that exists in many countries even long after hostilities have ended. The human rights violations and genocide that went on in this country are addressed, as are the findings and the reaction to the findings of an extensive report on these human rights violations.

Clearly, these readings are all related because they all discuss aspects of social and geographical concerns in Central America. Each one looks at one aspect of the country in detail, such as the indigenous people, the politics, and the society. They relate because many of these countries face the same problems of the region, and because many of the indigenous people are fighting continued persecution and are fighting for their rights. The countries all share economic concerns, as well, another commonality to the region.

This reading helps indicate how difficult it is to make reforms and educate the people of Guatemala about those reforms, because education for many is difficult, and without an education, they cannot understand the nuances of government decisions and reports. This specific report studied government atrocities that led to civil rights violations and violence, and few of the people who it could affect can get access to it, which seems to nullify the entire project and its findings.

This article was particularly interesting because I did not know there had been a 34-year war in Guatemala, or that the government's soldiers had committed so many atrocities and civil rights violations. I also find the government response to the report as very interesting, since they really refuse to take responsibility for the report. It was also very interesting that many Guatemalan children did not know about the report or the war, either.

April 21st reading, "Splitting the Country." This reading discusses the very real split in population and culture in Nicaragua. The whites and mestizos live on the Pacific Coast of the country, while the blacks and natives live on the Atlantic Coast, and there is a great disparity between the two groups, leading to a social and cultural split in the country. This is the largest country in Central America, but it is also the least developed, and that adds to the problems in the country.

This reading relates to the above reading because it also addresses problems and issues facing the indigenous populations, and it shows that racism and social discord are still quite prevalent in the area. It also relates to the reading below for the same reason. This article probably relates to the others more than any of the other three, because it seems to speak to so many issues that all of Central America is fighting today, from indigenous and human rights issues to government and leadership issues.

It was interesting to learn that a lot of the Nicaraguan population speaks English, and that the country is so very divided. The Somoza dictatorship also had many human rights violations, another issue that seems to plague all these Central American countries, and then the Sandinistas came in, and they were not much better. It was also interesting that separatism has become an issue in the country, and the authors' findings with their interview questions, especially in different areas of the country, were quite interesting as well.

I found it interesting and a little startling to learn how many of the people in all areas are dissatisfied with government and what it is doing for them. The area seems incredibly cynical, and while they may have a reason to be, it seems like it is counter-productive and even self-fulfilling for them to be so wary of the government. It is hard to see how the government will ever gain their approval when they are so distrustful.

April 28th reading, "Rethinking Indigenous Politics." This reading discusses native peoples and their rights, and ethnic equality. It also discusses neoliberal governments and their policies, and how they relate to native peoples and their quest for rights and recognition. It also talks about multicultural politics and demands throughout Central America. The article discusses the "cultural project" of the indigenous people that is helping their voices be heard.

This reading relates to the others because it discusses many issues the other readings take on, such as politics and the indigenous people. This one seems to carry another cynical theme in politics, like the one before. Essentially, it is critical of the Guatemalan government and their handling (or non-handling) of the indigenous people and their rights. They feel they are "conspicuously absent" in government policy, while the government takes on other types of reform, such as economic and other social reforms.

This article is especially troubling because it discusses something at the very heart of these cultures -- the brutality and genocidal tendencies of the people that rule Guatemala, and how their policies affect the country. There are so many brutal dictators in the history of Central America that it is difficult to see how these countries manage to survive and grow, and there is so much brutality there that it is sometimes frightening to think about.

It is disturbing to note that many of the indigenous people feel they only have violence to resort to in their fight rights and lands, and that puts them in a bad light with many Guatemalans. It is easy to see why they would be frustrated and resort to violence and other tactics, but it is hard to justify that when considering the brutality of the government and its leaders. It would seem there would be a better way to gain the things they want and that if they go too far, the government will certainly retaliate and they will never get what they hope for. It points out the many problems all the countries face every day.

"Between Earthquakes and Volcanoes." This reading talks about the growth of capitalism throughout Central America, and how that has led to an overall degradation of peasant and indigenous peoples' lives. It also talks about the economics of the region and how they have grown after World War II, and how they are changing yet again.

This is the most comprehensive of the readings because it is the longest, and it does relate to the others, especially when they discuss the economics of the region. However, it is quite relevant to the agriculture economics of the area, and so it is more specialized that the other articles are, which makes it more helpful in terms of understanding the area and its difficulties. It is a bit easier to read than the other articles, too.