tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188473428325292792024-03-13T08:09:10.638-07:00Empathy and Equality Matters: Through the Journey of LivingKarli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-66470090994769605222020-11-25T15:46:00.000-08:002018-04-06T18:34:23.233-07:00Keeping Them Safe: Interview with Norma Cruz of Fundación Sobrevivientes (Survivors Foundation) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHbyplGC-jC1ubdcu342sEfum09a3UpeRvB_GkHbn1FVgdyQOKcOQKhzzmhF5QIoO-n853eHp2cpq0CZ3sIsvtlMMtfiylez_-Msa76A6fNyd8nxmgMSPD85tLeHY38nZVNcZde1dvW8/s1600/download+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHbyplGC-jC1ubdcu342sEfum09a3UpeRvB_GkHbn1FVgdyQOKcOQKhzzmhF5QIoO-n853eHp2cpq0CZ3sIsvtlMMtfiylez_-Msa76A6fNyd8nxmgMSPD85tLeHY38nZVNcZde1dvW8/s200/download+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFbVsdQeZGlZC6ax__9Ejj-xQBzJyU12ntnNtNM-Sm0rnYS_lOOuMoehETp0BygVF8WLHLOUnJgKCWrlEy0qDQnwGeln9oxjY3YM_Ya47v7wjUR8vvz3PnOKJhhbgEMIWgHE51JhzWfE/s320/DSCN2549.JPG" width="320" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">November 13, 2015</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">I first heard about the work of </span><a href="http://www.sobrevivientes.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Fundacion Sobrevivientes</span></a><span style="color: black;"> (Survivors Foundation) from our translator of <a href="http://www.efiforense.org/efi/" target="_blank">Equipo Forense Interdisciplinario</a>'s Cristian Silva's thesis on Gender-based Violence in Guatemala. The Organization was created by Norma Cruz and her daughter Claudia Maria Hernandez Cruz who were first hand victims of rape within the home. We were honoured to hear her story.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arriving at Fundacion Sobrevivientes (Survivors Foundation), the door was answered by an armed security guard since their facilities and the women that seek help have been under death threats from their abusers. We walk into the waiting room where there are men, women and children waiting to be assisted by reception. Norma</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">personally greets us and we head upstairs. We sit down at a round table, Cristian introduces us and I am allowed to film, as we ask her questions and she shares her stories of how her organization came to be.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Norma pushed to created the organization after finding out her own daughter had been abused. When asked if she could share her personal experience about her daughter, she hesitated but did begin to tell the story.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXELSpoZg1nd22NvLmG915FR1B2SweFCrlhbb5D_zKgLTUzc7p86H0u52ldBrUmK-MYYS1wAOgfX-qjCZHdmtrw_Z8Z1Lv8pNO0GhyphenhyphenNPI__P0b19hCH_nkP2GKSyAFNwfhsEe_AFWOJo/s1600/DSCN2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXELSpoZg1nd22NvLmG915FR1B2SweFCrlhbb5D_zKgLTUzc7p86H0u52ldBrUmK-MYYS1wAOgfX-qjCZHdmtrw_Z8Z1Lv8pNO0GhyphenhyphenNPI__P0b19hCH_nkP2GKSyAFNwfhsEe_AFWOJo/s320/DSCN2579.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Guatemalan artist depicting the Civil War</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">At the age of 6, she had lost her parents, and at 6, you have to mature fast. She was born and grew up during the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996). It was during the course of her studies that she learned and witnessed the corruption and impunity of not justice. She explains, that "education is quite important here or else you are not fully aware of how to effectively work to reducing corruption”. As a student at 19, she witnessed the </span><a href="http://www.ghrc-usa.org/our-work/important-cases/the-burning-of-the-spanish-embassy-case/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">burning of the Spanish embassy</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">and the loss of many of those she worked with at the Catholic Church. Then there was the </span><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-22486387" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Rios Mont military coup</span></a><span style="color: black;">, which forced her to go in exile in Nicaragua. In 1985, Claudia was born. Then in 1988 she decided it was safe enough to return to work with the church again to work on human rights issues. Her and her partner decide to part ways as he wanted to stay in Nicaragua. She started building her new life with a new partner, a well known political figure.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By 1999, Claudia was 15. Here in Guatemalan culture, turning 15 is a big celebration for a girl. As Norma describes it as a parent, "It is something you live up to, prepare for", but she began to notice Claudia did not care about turning 15. Norma kept insisting that all her friends cannot wait to be part of it.But then on her special day, all she said was "All I want is to die." Claudia's step father had been sexually abusing Claudia while Norma was not around.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Norma explains, we all make up our minds in how we perceive or see things. When Claudia told her, Norma, at first, did not want to believe it but she knew she needed to confront both her daughter and the father.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even today, people choose to blame Norma, for leaving her alone during her active work in stopping the injustice. She begins to tear up here, but only for a moment. She is so strong. She remembers that after her father died, she promised herself to never leave her children alone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Violence and abuse we knew was around us, army violence, abuse of governments, but did not fully realize that I could find violence in my own home. I was totally new to the violence that comes inside your home." The most frightening thing was that before finding out, she had been seeking assistance and help for Claudia's depression. All the available psychologists would say or diagnose that what she needed was more discipline. No one could 'figure out what was wrong' with Claudia or at least open to the options of parental rape and abuse. Instead. they were blaming both of them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again nobody knew what to do in this case, especially when the partner was a well known figure. There was no expert in the country who would or could deal with the case. Finally, a lawyer from Colorado specialized in PTSD came to her said she was going to solve this case. Norma barely scraped by but she managed in increments to pay. She had found out in that time that Claudia had been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Norma realized too, her son would feel the effects of this family trauma so she decided to work with him too. They did eventually get their case recognized and he was given 30 years in prison. Unfortunately, he only ended up serving 4 years of the 30, and still has power in politics.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XrB0CMf6x2faRFUfjd55eoeNVyzz5JoLFIUj04B8blTb-KLrDu6IVqX7loWRXejWonMZylb8gOurrwtLh-6pm-lqz3cYjMe1FAAx-k8XdIO6_Xpdy1ohWgO7Tk90HW0-_QmrN2cRZTc/s1600/images+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XrB0CMf6x2faRFUfjd55eoeNVyzz5JoLFIUj04B8blTb-KLrDu6IVqX7loWRXejWonMZylb8gOurrwtLh-6pm-lqz3cYjMe1FAAx-k8XdIO6_Xpdy1ohWgO7Tk90HW0-_QmrN2cRZTc/s1600/images+%25284%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The organization sprouted from these experiences. Norma knew that if this had happened in her family that there must be countless others in the similar situation. So alongside a media blitz and teaching herself about these matters she was able to begin incorporating and training others in the similar situations on how to deal with therapy, and steps towards justice in prosecuting the perpetrator or abuser.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before it was officially a foundation, it was an association of victims and survivors. But to create and sustain an association you need to make money, and the government had no interest providing funding. So for years she would work a separate job, at lunch she would knock on doors and talk with victims, and from 7-10 do workshops, seven days a week. On weekends she started doing workshops in rural areas where she received some extra money. By then Claudia had another boyfriend. In his little car, they would help move victims from place to place such as the Public Ministry. And not just women, came to her association. Norma had started talking to men who had lost their daughters to violence and murder. At the beginning, they asked how they could provide their service while many of them had other responsibilities, families , jobs that would limit them from coming. What about evenings and weekends? They would need the facility to be always open. They would need to ensure, comfortable, safe, and flexible hours for whole families. For you "cannot just deal with one victim.” They would then need to start providing, legal support. “You are suddenly dealing with victims of a crime, so you need psychiatrists, lawyers. And that is when Canadians did a lot of work for us. You need enough witnesses or else you have lost your case. This is when we sought for techniques to prosecute.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the main questions we had was on the barriers of how do you then get the victims to come out and talk? How do you protect them when their abuser is always close by or their family refuses to accept? I remember outright from Human Sexuality and Forensic Psychology stats that the percentage of actual reported cases for rape victims is incredibly low and the data is administered does not accurately match the actual cases.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, her answer ended up in the form of little newspaper ads and daily words of advice. There is a well known newspaper </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">El diario</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in which they would submit information on steps to take after rape: to not shower or clean one’s self, to save clothes and make sure to say something and submit themselves to a clinic.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From reading Cristian's thesis on the increasing gender-based violence since post-Peace Accord in Guatemala, I had been made aware the issues around societal views towards women but I wanted to hear more from her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeY6F4qK8GScx5YL8RuTacjWHG0GXLOumirh3RRkCRwQs6r_EBZxKxYdNuy-y2IbfYbpOsJLWKoJngOBNks-AutlHYFhEj8A1dGRt1v07EBXUqBwUhM97qqO3amUuFDdzp7YiNDHK_0g/s1600/011312-figure2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeY6F4qK8GScx5YL8RuTacjWHG0GXLOumirh3RRkCRwQs6r_EBZxKxYdNuy-y2IbfYbpOsJLWKoJngOBNks-AutlHYFhEj8A1dGRt1v07EBXUqBwUhM97qqO3amUuFDdzp7YiNDHK_0g/s320/011312-figure2.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she points out, during the conflict hundreds of women and children were raped and murdered. The stats of men murdered were just as high. However, the way women were and are being murdered is notably different as far more cases of mutilation and torture are involved. Prior to and after the '96 Peace Accord which formally ended the Civil War (but might I remind that the formality of a treaty does not end the systematic problems), there is little information and research on victims and family's trauma because there was little consideration of the human rights abuses of gender-based violence. "Suddenly we find ourselves in the Peace Accord era and nobody knows where the numbers of femicide are coming from. A lot of people believe this is something new but it is because no has paid attention. “At the end of the Peace Accord was when both parties signed , then in '97 there was an expected start fresh of no violence but yet finding 100 women murdered. Then in '98, 200 women murdered, and in 2000 the numbers start increasing more. "We were asking where this was coming from."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWnTpEtJj5KTBGZHxh7fVExySP7S_81xcNHO4bq_mGcBkIAaLCtzFzQjtWRiBllZshOjuTLPm_2HzpPyAGVBNvZ5iX-KISgMZpX9oTbx1RKKO0pWMEwmWqhRjC_N3Dphyphenhyphen0vYUPD3sMF4/s1600/Image14_H240xW500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 20.24px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWnTpEtJj5KTBGZHxh7fVExySP7S_81xcNHO4bq_mGcBkIAaLCtzFzQjtWRiBllZshOjuTLPm_2HzpPyAGVBNvZ5iX-KISgMZpX9oTbx1RKKO0pWMEwmWqhRjC_N3Dphyphenhyphen0vYUPD3sMF4/s320/Image14_H240xW500.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"When these doors were open, women were coming not for themselves but for their daughters, but asking how they wouldn't be raped and abused like themselves." They questioned why this may be. And this is where the acknowledgement of socio-cultural history on expected gender roles of </span><a href="http://hist140.wikia.com/wiki/Marianismo_and_Machismo" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">machismo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">marianismo</span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of which I previously discussed in a<a href="http://empathyandequalitymatters.blogspot.com/2015/11/por-que-estomos-estamos-why-are-we-way.html" target="_blank"> previous blog post</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. During the conflict as a woman you had to be silent. There were no rules on domestic violence. If your father was committing the crimes, your father would just kill you if you said anything. When talking about silence, Norma had been silenced, when standing up for political views, especially gender issues. Also during the conflict, there was little consideration of the effects experienced by both urban areas like Guatemala City and the rural areas. All women were affected, whether you were literate or not. Here, like in other parts of the world (just think<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytBWS1vMTWM" target="_blank"> India’s Daughter</a> )</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, "women’s inequality and the lack of dignity and respect for the other sex is at every level, no matter what background you were from". In this case violence towards women is and was not discriminate to who you were or where you where from. “All women were and are at risk of being raped and abused”.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Still people are afraid. During the conflict, society blamed women for giving birth to guerrillas and communists, so it was giving the OK to kill women. To whatever happened to them was justified. You go to the police, you were told you better go home before I beat you up, And they still remember those issues."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">Then she notes the cultural violence, "Societies are at fault for this justification and continuation. They justified murder in paper. Their death of abuse was their fault, It was deserved, It was their fault for being out at night too late, dressed too provocative. You have piercings, shorter skirt, nails painted or nailed painting; she was probably a worker. And that is justified for rape, violation and murder.” Unfortunately, this is not an isolated concern. Such justifications and the impunity of horrendous murder and violence we seen in Canada's missing and murdered indigenous women or the many unsolved cases of the Long Island women, meticulously documented in Rob Kolker's<span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><a href="http://lostgirlsbook.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lost Girls</span></a><span style="color: blue;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>"During the Conflict, if you saw a body in the street, you though, 'He or she was probably doing something wrong, he or she was probably a Communist'. Now, after the conflict when we have cases of femicide, people say 'She was probably out too late, she was probably dressed to provocatively', and the police are saying the same thing."</b></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To start with her personal case, Norma was up against a whole system against her from the process of organization and identification to the public ministry. When collecting the bodies, they were not respecting them. They'd strip the bodies naked on the street and then would sweep their privates using a comb right in the street. There was no appropriate training or respect. You have to treat the victims, dead or alive with dignity and respect, as probably the family is watching. In the beginning of her research, 99 % of these cases were not being investigated and that was 10 years ago.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gv4P9ceSNYY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gv4P9ceSNYY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In going back to the Peace Accord, both sides signed, but the judicial system still in place that had been created to coerce people, police to torture people. How do we deal with this when it was created and perceived to coerce people. Ministries did not know how to operate in this time or how to properly investigate these crimes. Families instead, had reverted to leaving it to god justice when the system was not there to provide justice. So society has decided to just to forget about it. If a body was found, it was just left , and not investigated. Before, fireman, police, funeral homes, there was no investigations. In '98, after she found out about Claudia, she organized this in her house. As victims, you needed to make sure they collected all the evidence, so "we had to do it ourselves, at times." To put in perspective, how would we put denunciations on perpetrators when authorities still blame you. She pushed for more credibility in having a legal background, they needed a lawyer, a forensic pathologist, start making authorities accountable, we were there. But people did start approaching her, wanting to help, volunteer, so started educating herself. A student in law helped her on how to properly make forms to present these cases. She believes it was in 2004, it was the first time she was invited to do a lecture in LA. By 2005 they had an organization with name and their first donor from Oxfam of $5000. They were able to put enough pressure to sustain 200 legal cases, by 2005 they had 6000 denunciations, and today 5600 investigations.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl48O5sj85kA8INLxTJa8jeziSuAMKBTqlbkYAQlFjiB0R6BO4D3uMPcl5lzsc1QiL0edqN_nonwGxC-geZAJ5zTkcxTQVej4tLKHiX0qQ6T1Eg1I3NItrRexZmJfyVs5QBRsBzZN9cA/s1600/DSCN2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blak;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl48O5sj85kA8INLxTJa8jeziSuAMKBTqlbkYAQlFjiB0R6BO4D3uMPcl5lzsc1QiL0edqN_nonwGxC-geZAJ5zTkcxTQVej4tLKHiX0qQ6T1Eg1I3NItrRexZmJfyVs5QBRsBzZN9cA/s1600/DSCN2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl48O5sj85kA8INLxTJa8jeziSuAMKBTqlbkYAQlFjiB0R6BO4D3uMPcl5lzsc1QiL0edqN_nonwGxC-geZAJ5zTkcxTQVej4tLKHiX0qQ6T1Eg1I3NItrRexZmJfyVs5QBRsBzZN9cA/s320/DSCN2552.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">Norma and her daughter have worked so hard together to hold these abuses and crimes accountable in order for these victims to remain safe and respected. Norma has never stopped being active despite hundreds of </span><a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/cases/guatemala-norma-cruz" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">death threats</span></a><span style="color: black;">. She stresses that it is really important to note that this organization was not founded by an international community like most NGOs. Her goal was to make the Guatemalan judicial system and government accountable and responsible. She has gone on countless number of hunger strikes at National Palace. She has gone after 150 congressmen. It was her works that directly was impacted in pushing the Guatemalan congress to pass the </span><a href="http://www.ghrc-usa.org/Publications/Femicide_Law_ProgressAgainstImpunity.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">2008 Law Against Femicide and Other Forms of Violence Against Women</span></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, as officially recognizing femicide as a punishable crime. But most importantly, "when you talk about violence, we are seen as feminists. But when we talk about victims, we do not talk about genders. We are all affected and we cannot separate genders here, We consider all victims as a whole and that is why our staffing is is equally balanced with the same opportunities. My first goal was to make sure people had place to go, safe place, a shelter. Now Fundacion Sobrevivientesis the best in Central America. Their legal team is now 1500 and the 20, 00 victims who ever came for help are still safe and alive.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7J17kzn1ZThPj0eJTfILnm-2alKUddIyiPEygyrEhGC0ADrmF9obQZPQ62LSNVopXgF1j0dwUMSY51w3BX7hIEViBt6tV6t-GxxuIQ-y6X0pS34ONmhQdhsORT9BN6i7mZreu5rgLog/s320/DSCN2551.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;">Later in her office we saw a picture of her with Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama In 2009 she was awarded the </span><a href="http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2009/03/20090312114534ajesrom0.2976038.html#axzz3s9MnsM00" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">International Women of Courage Award</span></a><span style="color: black;">! </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“From Guatemala, Norma Cruz. We are recognizing her </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for her unyielding efforts to end the culture of impunity </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> surrounding the murder and other forms of violence against </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> women in Guatemala. At great risk to her personal safety, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Norma Cruz has been outspoken and extraordinarily brave, and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we are honored to have her with us today.”</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0b49a75a-2d03-7255-b35b-ae5e8cd1bb41" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdNSq56-kVGfZ9GWS9HnUYkAaFVxOQJlPgCqm5KQBjNKvdZugIc7uVI3A_O8zJ045eqvZd-KWwn6fJ3-QMyEOVLMmvM4CIMjVCJwHclaiqd734oESlTMzH0eBuq8mKh5wn_yOfWHB3Qg/s1600/150px-Norma_Cruz_y_Claudia_Hern%25C3%25A1ndez_Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdNSq56-kVGfZ9GWS9HnUYkAaFVxOQJlPgCqm5KQBjNKvdZugIc7uVI3A_O8zJ045eqvZd-KWwn6fJ3-QMyEOVLMmvM4CIMjVCJwHclaiqd734oESlTMzH0eBuq8mKh5wn_yOfWHB3Qg/s1600/150px-Norma_Cruz_y_Claudia_Hern%25C3%25A1ndez_Cruz.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Norma Cruz & Claudia Hernandez Cruz</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ja9Zey-wGU0P__-ES-s2wpGUrKTFjr0sqZUq5IgvxYDP9yNXoAegsStGhkjCDXXKeL688f8t2-qrdO0zmQHEgojt9btINUTEDaNs5dVouaqctN_eldIeGec0RFmYxp8AUwWoV49QNV4/s1600/DSCN2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claudia here is the executive director, and next year is going to be a criminologist. And that boyfriend, they are happily married with two daughters. "As you can see I have my granddaughters. My goal was to prove that these victims can be happy again. I do realize that I have to start take caring of self, as those hunger strikes did affect me. But I am not going to stop, still following up and continue to follow up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ja9Zey-wGU0P__-ES-s2wpGUrKTFjr0sqZUq5IgvxYDP9yNXoAegsStGhkjCDXXKeL688f8t2-qrdO0zmQHEgojt9btINUTEDaNs5dVouaqctN_eldIeGec0RFmYxp8AUwWoV49QNV4/s1600/DSCN2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ja9Zey-wGU0P__-ES-s2wpGUrKTFjr0sqZUq5IgvxYDP9yNXoAegsStGhkjCDXXKeL688f8t2-qrdO0zmQHEgojt9btINUTEDaNs5dVouaqctN_eldIeGec0RFmYxp8AUwWoV49QNV4/s320/DSCN2556.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See Also:</span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px;"><a href="http://pueblodeguatemala.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Norma Cruz: Pueblo de Guatemala</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.08px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fundacion.sobrevivientes" target="_blank">Fundación Sobrevivientes Facebook</a></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2008/08/27/to-fight-femicide-guatemala-new-law-but-same-culture/" target="_blank">To Fight Femicide in Guatemala, New Law, But Same Culture </a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/80556/femicide-guatemala-decree-22" target="_blank">Femicide: Can naming a deadly crime prevent it? </a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="http://miamericas.org/?page_id=6" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mujeres Iniciado in Las Americas</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/issue-14-femicide" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Femicide Information</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<br />Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-69589951400454734632016-08-02T21:08:00.000-07:002016-08-03T10:22:11.033-07:00Captain Fantastic: A Reflection on our Future Generations to the realities of Death and Closure <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not very often do I laugh in film. Mainly, I believe it is because what is broadcasted mainstream is often correlated to the extreme ideologies and insensitivities, such those exhibited by certain Trump supporters, we are so many are terrified of. From breasts and genitalia to mocking other cultures, races, or genders, this content most often never provides a method which allows us to critically think about the societies around us in the real world. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRLjniGUJtOSbccaH95Az0VkM1zP2Cq2qhvgTY8PQFVrTI3IvL9e2hv0Aj57wfMZ5iX7MvwMNq5LHFQT8nXkV3P3vSByeV_RJW2moNoDBFUHUxHjseN9ibaUGWjdBLxJULb5xilsqTUY/s1600/captain_fantastic_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRLjniGUJtOSbccaH95Az0VkM1zP2Cq2qhvgTY8PQFVrTI3IvL9e2hv0Aj57wfMZ5iX7MvwMNq5LHFQT8nXkV3P3vSByeV_RJW2moNoDBFUHUxHjseN9ibaUGWjdBLxJULb5xilsqTUY/s320/captain_fantastic_ver2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-52fb7525-4e53-ae6c-fb50-f490f3ac508d" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Captain Fantastic was an incredible roller coaster Viggo Mortensen’s Captain Fantastic took me on. I do not think I have ever laughed so uncontrollably to the point of crying (believe the last similar experience was ‘Alive Inside’). It definitely tapped into feelings, values, understandings, and experiences, and it definitely was empowering to know others are challenging our stagnant realities. From funerals and closure, education and critical thinking, parenting and honesty, and the to understanding has happened through the choices in urbanization and understanding modern agricultural practices </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Almost everyone will experience being a parent, babysitter or (unknowingly or not) a role model to the youth we shape around us. Our society, preoccupied with censorship, seems to have a very hard time giving honest answers to children. Death and sex are one of the major contenders of lack of honesty. But aren't those some of the most difficult conversations for us to have, because we couldn't find the confidence to. But what if we were honest and reduce the stress and hype to begin with? One of the key goals of parenting is to provide a safe space for children to come to you for answers and support. Who are you really protecting when you’re not providing information they will inevitably confront? Wouldn’t you rather it come from you than someone or something else that may not have the same consideration for them? Whether it be about how a baby is conceived to mental illness, child developmental psychologists lead that it is the parents and those around them that teach children to be deal with stress by being dishonest and to lie. What is really aiding the cousins at the dinner table about not just being honest what happened to their aunt. Suicide is a hard reality so why not benefit our children for being aware of the signs and the realities of countering unhappiness. Mother Meg Rosoff gives personal insight on how </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/sep/21/cant-protect-children-by-lying" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can’t protect children by lying to them - the truth will hurt less</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Like when the youngest asks about sex and rape, the father is honest and matter-of-fact about the differences it is consensual for pleasure, procreation, while the other be degrading and disrespectful. The child cringed, not because she was scared, but because she was educated and aware of good and bad behaviours.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiIiv7M90eMpS-83eteZQEF9rr7Z31cbQzo72PN9M71WLw02Wwau9D_IUiQOp9qLlg43GDTgsBlV3hEa8xam9_LWgCGq5X-JkmokCrJRFq2C96svPjGI89OoOrBknEqmY-NxnL_CyCqk/s1600/16888_20140605_195447_quotescover-JPG-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiIiv7M90eMpS-83eteZQEF9rr7Z31cbQzo72PN9M71WLw02Wwau9D_IUiQOp9qLlg43GDTgsBlV3hEa8xam9_LWgCGq5X-JkmokCrJRFq2C96svPjGI89OoOrBknEqmY-NxnL_CyCqk/s320/16888_20140605_195447_quotescover-JPG-37.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Education is to be a tool to understanding, but what is its purpose if we are not using it to its full potential? Two main scenes stand out to me in the film when the father is pushing the daughter to think more critically, and encouraging her to go beyond the synopsis, rather towards her personal feelings of reading Lolita. More specifically, the point was proven after a parental debate on the effectiveness and capability of father’s home-schooling over public education. The teenage boys could hardly convey what the the country’s Bill of Rights was, while the eight year old girl not only versed out but could independently explain the fundamental importance of upholding basic human rights. Education must be about nourishing children’s understanding of facts beyond memorization. We treat and educate children like we assume children cannot think critically for themselves but in fact it is us holding them back from reaching their potential. Sir Ken Robinson who throughout his career, has dedicated to ensure youth are growing up towards their potential, whatever form of education parents choose, that currently:<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity/transcript?language=en" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Do schools kill creativity</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"> : “Our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the earth: for a particular commodity. And for the future, it won't serve us. We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we're educating our children.” What he is describing, is education that originates for the purpose of feeding the Industrial Age that feeds consumerism and the challenges we face today of blind exploitation. Like the education the father has given to his children, will greatly exceed the money of academics. They will most definitely be the leaders and initiators for sustainable living. As Ken Robinson concludes, “The only way we'll do it is by seeing our creative capacities for the richness they are and seeing our children for the hope that they are. And our task is to educate their whole being, so they can face this future. By the way -- we may not see this future, but they will. And our job is to help them make something of it.” We all want the best for our children.</span></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh20omNWFLXpYVSkXYMeNqWTex_uNZ8CIaan17d7orlWQUoqFKt7ac8nZQye40dUj4v3DWgmn0-A7f5TnwtinEWnaBwCVPaR5sr8Zo6oFOSCwhATlsyNII2Ikc073j0WwCWqu0qXqUWfo/s1600/BWrvWG-CAAAI3qI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh20omNWFLXpYVSkXYMeNqWTex_uNZ8CIaan17d7orlWQUoqFKt7ac8nZQye40dUj4v3DWgmn0-A7f5TnwtinEWnaBwCVPaR5sr8Zo6oFOSCwhATlsyNII2Ikc073j0WwCWqu0qXqUWfo/s320/BWrvWG-CAAAI3qI.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the major in-your-face eye-openers was at the very beginning when the family worked together to kill and gut a deer for meat. Forget the most violent human - to - human violence, instead I hear a great cringe from the audience. The volume of violence on our screens is definitely messing with our psychies on the emotions that truly matter. Funny enough, seeing the respect and care they took towards the animal, over the processes promoted by superstores, I can relate. It is because I've done it myself, growing up in an environment where my parents, frustrated over continuously contending with the moral of the meat we wanted to eat that was not raised or treated well, decided to do it ourselves, even when it is emotionally difficult to do the act of killing. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri6kCSRgvvzap-Cgdb819i46m8f-zd3gRx8pvTYOIIt5LYo0aZF-xC4TfqDlvIxJfKbqXw5pidHkkKgUbVUbyi69IURmU9z0ExgefkYbSLGYQgpiU3g5hrpv4Pw9UF8VVx3VKyNqbyyE/s1600/13940989_10157262189555080_1453904271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri6kCSRgvvzap-Cgdb819i46m8f-zd3gRx8pvTYOIIt5LYo0aZF-xC4TfqDlvIxJfKbqXw5pidHkkKgUbVUbyi69IURmU9z0ExgefkYbSLGYQgpiU3g5hrpv4Pw9UF8VVx3VKyNqbyyE/s320/13940989_10157262189555080_1453904271_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My experiences growing up raising produce and animals on a hobby farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having left that environment and stepped into urban life, I have began to see the hypocrisies of opinions over animals and food. I have had into adulthood, people shocked and horrified that we raise and butcher ourselves, while they are completely in support of eating their McDonald's burger. So why not shame the acts of violence and disrespect over shaming the complete intake of a particular animal? Often those who have never lived out of the comforts of their kind of society, for example Western North America, find it hard to grapple with mindfulness in respecting cultural sensitivity and diversity, or making the distinction of viewing animals other than pets.Given the encouragement to think critically about our consumption and impact, we have the power of clearheaded choice. Much like this 11-year old boy motivated to come on TED Talk on </span><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/birke_baehr_what_s_wrong_with_our_food_system?language=en" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s wrong with our food system</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the children of this film were encouraged with the necessary awareness to be the next generations to a sustainable society that is no longer solely dictated by business.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBowMJFw1oVpZCX8njKcKGbWC3mGtcRpZHaMBL5TAZTMZuUu9Wi9crJP5AaCUGqdWrZCJl8LSw6RT1TypQ-i-4ch-Qr43jpQ5e_-kgK7sPsgv2FWmcjBJd91Jvt-26buoIOf6XhSIAZo/s1600/john_overmyer.jpg.size.custom.crop.737x650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBowMJFw1oVpZCX8njKcKGbWC3mGtcRpZHaMBL5TAZTMZuUu9Wi9crJP5AaCUGqdWrZCJl8LSw6RT1TypQ-i-4ch-Qr43jpQ5e_-kgK7sPsgv2FWmcjBJd91Jvt-26buoIOf6XhSIAZo/s320/john_overmyer.jpg.size.custom.crop.737x650.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another lovely topic the film brings up is that of what happens after a loved one dies. Do all parts of family respect the wishes of the deceased despite differences in personal views? How about setting personal views of others aside, so to work together from the common struggles of dealing loss and healing? The film confronts not only the harsh realities currently in our societies who lack the respect of either the deceased and family choices, but also the methods we go about in hopes of finding a sense of closure. Focus their efforts to the Psychology of Death and Dying as Kubler-Ross, we are beginning to understand the stress and human dissatisfaction that has come from businesses preying on those who are most vulnerable, promising closure, and leaving people with massive death debts, while it was not the wishes of the deceased in the first place. Let wills and respecting wishes be the family's process of healing and even learning more about this loved one, by respecting their loved ones freedom of choice one last time. The second theme found in the film, is the importance of following through with an effective process of grieving, which is inevitably following what the loved one asked to be done. The father and kids would have had an unbearable and family-breaking result, if they had not had the safe space to express how they felt from the loss. In their case, they did not feel that there was respect from the parents of their daughter wanted; to not have a funeral in a church, to be cremated and have her remains flushed down the toilet. Moreover, it is a reminder that you have to really be part of the process to achieve personal healing. Just look at the power of music for this. In a TED Talk, Nancy Burns discusses going </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0rCfXSdYPE" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond Closure</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, concluding, "We live in a culture that tells us to be happy all the time. Sometimes, life sucks, bad things happen. Knowing that joy and grief can be held together is so important, because it’s a long journey without the possibility of joy." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvpoOF-gbnxPsssX3fzH7GUCavtcGyrcKkcIG47VGKmMCBg8MEHrsXOb019g_baHmCfi_ySRUCTHul4QNoS0k6zxkwzHhdPDSaqcxm2AEIRDphREs1DIaUcV_qEB7ZKIDc4b09CNph5Y/s1600/stock-photo-kubler-ross-grief-cycle-concept-active-passive-emotional-response-phases-sketched-on-blackboard-33040804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvpoOF-gbnxPsssX3fzH7GUCavtcGyrcKkcIG47VGKmMCBg8MEHrsXOb019g_baHmCfi_ySRUCTHul4QNoS0k6zxkwzHhdPDSaqcxm2AEIRDphREs1DIaUcV_qEB7ZKIDc4b09CNph5Y/s320/stock-photo-kubler-ross-grief-cycle-concept-active-passive-emotional-response-phases-sketched-on-blackboard-33040804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moreover an aerospace engineer once told me that “Joy and grief are BOTH necessary. Experiencing one without enough of the other devalues both. If things are going too smooth, there's a good chance you aren't going anywhere. In the same way, if things are too rough, you won’t be going anywhere either. Suitable perturbations are necessary to move forward or change paths: be it in life, or in physics (yay Newton!)”. Other works please see </span><a href="http://spaceguy90.tumblr.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Final Frontier</span></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Films like Captain Fantastic are excellent reminders and providers of empathy. There is no superhero as no one is perfect, but there is something pretty super in the ability to apologize and say you’re sorry. Even if it was not one that tickled your fancy, it helps to understand others’ point of view, and to see where we can meet the common ground of values and needs. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyriQ5NS1R0rFUlqD-aXvM2YeimHc5JOPZ2IJt98VfJ40XmFDAXdRS6TzoEEMp2M0Ttt0nt-tCSfroNFzC-hZVH06ybLzE28GjCrTyBztcbgS1CksgmQpNPdtaevQdxATpSn1_1nnrnds/s1600/frankl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyriQ5NS1R0rFUlqD-aXvM2YeimHc5JOPZ2IJt98VfJ40XmFDAXdRS6TzoEEMp2M0Ttt0nt-tCSfroNFzC-hZVH06ybLzE28GjCrTyBztcbgS1CksgmQpNPdtaevQdxATpSn1_1nnrnds/s320/frankl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">SEE ALSO: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CanadianSustainableSociety/" target="_blank">Canadians for a Sustainable Society</a> #SustainableCND</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/born-to-lie-1.3400603" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Born to lie - CBC Ideas</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.edutopia.org/blog/deeper-learning-ted-talks-heather-wolpert-gawron" style="text-decoration: none;">Snapshot of Different Learning in the Classroom</a></span><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4GHGwuyNiQ" target="_blank">Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">#empathyandequalitymatters</span></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-36163192955624040552016-06-14T21:08:00.001-07:002017-02-07T12:45:50.295-08:00Màmawi Together, Hon. Senator Murray Sinclair, & The Critical Role of Education in Reconciliation<div dir="ltr">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dwylb5LysoYYmqrkglGHh8wZ_IG_UWgst-EVWQkI4iaH-qdeFC1SvZldI5s2gpGjAFuvqUL-e6FQp62m_pdV-bgfbVpS2UIjHQf727PYTsDWFk1D9kVmjMMkgos5OV3JGz7uI__Wrwc/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875556596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dwylb5LysoYYmqrkglGHh8wZ_IG_UWgst-EVWQkI4iaH-qdeFC1SvZldI5s2gpGjAFuvqUL-e6FQp62m_pdV-bgfbVpS2UIjHQf727PYTsDWFk1D9kVmjMMkgos5OV3JGz7uI__Wrwc/s320/FB_IMG_1465875556596.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Murray Sinclair speaking at 4th Annual Aboriginal Lecture Series</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1bIJJotCFY0LAOmxqhPx1lDXg-ULUfMlbGiXWJViVSFmDb4SQwaaEpXeAMDC9CIw70I5YDVopJrr-toSFskAi1KpRoj5fK0HuIenF6fFfXnpIXdgTaZXf8-Dd0U4XYZJkMFE0JtzwOE/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875551328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>One of the most important messages from <a href="http://http//www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=905">Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission</a> (TRC), the report to redress the catastrophic legacy of residential schools and the degradation of our Canadian indigenous populations, is this can no longer be just seen as an indigenous issue. It is a Canadian issue.<br />
<br />
We cannot move forward until the country as a whole understands and addresses this systemic inter-generational trauma as indigenous and non-indigenous. It is time for the Canadian government along with all its citizens, to move from ignorance and discrimination to empathy and understanding. As the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, First Nations lawyer, chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Senator, had explained: “Reconciliation is about forging and maintaining respectful relationships. There are no shortcuts”.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaKKQWadID8Wbib1pawTyibZBnVkaxOW4SJa8ONNv_ThA9Z6z1EtafLQldJhuKeCZ-d5oZdC3H_eod5-tyjDi4ABH_Sa_U74N7MMAo3QywvKF5zohXMvPEbNMA04idEl4pXPPqjY7Z_M/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875471810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaKKQWadID8Wbib1pawTyibZBnVkaxOW4SJa8ONNv_ThA9Z6z1EtafLQldJhuKeCZ-d5oZdC3H_eod5-tyjDi4ABH_Sa_U74N7MMAo3QywvKF5zohXMvPEbNMA04idEl4pXPPqjY7Z_M/s320/FB_IMG_1465875471810.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>'<a href="http://projectofheart.ca/" target="_blank">Project of Heart</a></i> 'witness pieces' created by students </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And that is just what husband and wife Tim O’Loan and Margaret Embleton of Ottawa have been empowered to do as models, like their marriage of indigenous and non-indigenous cooperation. The couple realized that a word was needed for Canadians of all backgrounds to better understand the concept of reconciliation is. As Margaret explained, <i>Màmawi</i> in Algonquin, the language and territory of the Ottawa region, means “Together”. Together is exactly how we achieve reconciliation.<a href="http://https//m.facebook.com/mamawitogether/"> Màmawi Together</a> is a grassroots initiative of parents, students, community and cooperative supporters working together to bring indigenous awareness, education, and reconciliation projects to life. Tim and Margaret initiated this organization in order to grow more caring and inclusive communities based on greater knowledge, respect, and action of indigenous persons.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfOgmXM8rgL9OqYl6U_yBvFMVlI3eJVlkHUs_QCJuGjc3dZim6URSiUjftnVlvYbVsST7pxsumTXEjm-lKGoTb9NVPt39m_5UJm6G5-mhLZIwPm792ZCClLzGyNoEtsnMs8V9Cbatd7o/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875528507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfOgmXM8rgL9OqYl6U_yBvFMVlI3eJVlkHUs_QCJuGjc3dZim6URSiUjftnVlvYbVsST7pxsumTXEjm-lKGoTb9NVPt39m_5UJm6G5-mhLZIwPm792ZCClLzGyNoEtsnMs8V9Cbatd7o/s320/FB_IMG_1465875528507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa River Singers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Màmawi-Together began by contacting parent-teacher associations, and their hard work and determination has lead them to host their 4th Annual Lecture Series on May 25, 2016 at Rideau High School in Ottawa.<br />
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Featured at the Lecture Series was Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair. Sinclair discussed the critical role of education in reconciliation. The event opened with the Ottawa River Singers presenting to an auditorium packed with people of all ages and backgrounds. One of the drummer's baby sits on his lap as he drums. Barbara Hill, Algonquin Elder and Meeka Kakudluk, an Inuit Elder began with blessings and prayers. <a href="http://http//www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/gabrielle-fayant-native-youth-claim-their-future-through-technology/article22856060/?service=mobile">Gabrielle Fayant</a> represented Metis youth affected by the seven generations of abuse and separation from the Canadian government. Senator Sinclair opened the floor with a powerful art interpretation of Aaron Peter's “<a href="http://https//youtu.be/5DlbL5chc48">The Perfect Crime</a>” as a reminder that through art comes a critical point of healing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5DlbL5chc48/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DlbL5chc48?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> “From unmarked graves, their bones cry out” -Aaron Peters</i></blockquote>
<br />
Residential schools were instituted by the Canadian government and was justified by non-indigenous families due to inherent prejudice and discrimination. The separation of indigenous children into church-run school was ordered, followed by years of beatings, sterilizations, and sexual abuse in the name of unlearning their indigenous identities. The Residential School Era has left inter-generational trauma during their 116 years of existence. The last residential school was closed in 1996, and the effects on indigenous youth in contemporary society is apparent today. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1bIJJotCFY0LAOmxqhPx1lDXg-ULUfMlbGiXWJViVSFmDb4SQwaaEpXeAMDC9CIw70I5YDVopJrr-toSFskAi1KpRoj5fK0HuIenF6fFfXnpIXdgTaZXf8-Dd0U4XYZJkMFE0JtzwOE/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875551328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1bIJJotCFY0LAOmxqhPx1lDXg-ULUfMlbGiXWJViVSFmDb4SQwaaEpXeAMDC9CIw70I5YDVopJrr-toSFskAi1KpRoj5fK0HuIenF6fFfXnpIXdgTaZXf8-Dd0U4XYZJkMFE0JtzwOE/s320/FB_IMG_1465875551328.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa River Singers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Sinclair explained, came from such legal breakthroughs as <a href="http://http//www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa-not-fully-liable-for-residential-school-claims-supreme-court-1.543349">Blackwater v. Plint </a>(2005) which concluded the ability to sue a church. The United Church of Canada was held as a responsible factor for physical, sexual, spiritual, and mental abuse of these generations. The government was held as the primary responsibility as Indian Affairs was deemed superintendent for the children once they were taken away from their families. The Catholic Church has yet to make a formal apology. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
But Senator Sinclair reminded the audience that it was not just the residential schools that are responsible for this mistreatment of our indigenous populations, including Metis, and Inuit, but also private and public schools. Since colonization, schools have continued to teach the inferiority of indigenous persons while failing to incorporate education that include non-colonial narratives of indigenous peoples' history and existing social structure. Government policy makers and businessmen who also have also gone through this education system have consequently, felt apathetic and justified to breaking land treaties throughout the years. From <i>pagan</i>, to <i>savage</i>, to <i>degenerate</i>, we have taught Canadians to be apathetic to this inhuman and degrading treatment throughout these many generations, leaving indigenous populations a the very lowest socio-economic level.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dwylb5LysoYYmqrkglGHh8wZ_IG_UWgst-EVWQkI4iaH-qdeFC1SvZldI5s2gpGjAFuvqUL-e6FQp62m_pdV-bgfbVpS2UIjHQf727PYTsDWFk1D9kVmjMMkgos5OV3JGz7uI__Wrwc/s1600/FB_IMG_1465875556596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
Sinclair himself admits, he himself was victim to these single-sided narratives, taught to believe the Western way of life as superior or progressive, even though "we have never been told what the other, the alternative even was”. It wasn’t even until 1970 that Sinclair could hear the first indigenous drumming, as it had been illegal up until then. Once out of university, Sinclair began connecting the dots and challenging the narrative of the treatment of indigenous Canadians.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Every nation believes in the importance of educating young people. The following video best describes the current situations and the positive role this reconciliatory education currently plays.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rRZYRIC69Bw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rRZYRIC69Bw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s <a href="http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf" target="_blank">Call to Action</a> asks all Canadians to participate in the education of our citizens regarding the indigenous peoples' plight(s). it is the job of Canadians to start educating our youth, alongside our workforce. If all Canadians young and old have old heard or care to listen to such such single-sided narratives, how do you ever create empathy, respect, and understanding? Many Canadians remain blinded by their prejudice, but thankfully these initiatives are finally starting to receive more recognition, even if it is just the arts. We must look beyond and challenge these toxic and degrading stereotypes. Reconciliation begins by initiative, of listening to the accounts and impacts of the legacy of the residential schools. Initiatives like Màmawi-Together and <a href="http://projectofheart.ca/" target="_blank">Project of Heart</a> open up community dialogue for issues such as to why and how their are so many missing and murdered indigenous women, why and how this demographic has the highest prison and suicide rates, why and how they still have the lowest access to education, and why and how there remains unsanitary water. It is time to hold the TRC's <a href="http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf" target="_blank">Call To Action</a> and the <a href="http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf" target="_blank">United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples</a> seriously.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-Hq4jDNub7nzzEEGMXPMs-omDZ3bBvD_AwFxEMmDloiR_wEIGIZRSmJsVPxs8WApLlCvYV3fT_AfqelRztKwsRHjuJF-ck1xsCQtui_Vj9pf6qSNlGp30Le6zOWxURUtAR7atHnt6s/s1600/DSCN4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-Hq4jDNub7nzzEEGMXPMs-omDZ3bBvD_AwFxEMmDloiR_wEIGIZRSmJsVPxs8WApLlCvYV3fT_AfqelRztKwsRHjuJF-ck1xsCQtui_Vj9pf6qSNlGp30Le6zOWxURUtAR7atHnt6s/s320/DSCN4426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of Mamawi Together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-74755469447641098202016-04-23T10:17:00.000-07:002016-08-31T14:11:02.580-07:00April 22, 2016: Earth Day and the Paris Agreement Towards Sustainable Societies<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Earth Day, April 22nd has rolled around again since its first commemoration in 1970, founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson. This time <a href="http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/04/18/prime-minister-travel-new-york-sign-paris-agreement-climate-change" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;">Prime Minister Trudeau</a> has travelled to New York for the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.. This was, that in November 2015, Canada and 194 other countries reached this international agreement to address climate change that is “ambitious, durable and applicable to all parties”. Its framework recognizes the important roles of subnational governments, civil society, and the private sector. It also highlights Indigenous, community, human and gender rights. In specifics these countries pledged to work to limit the temperature rise overall below 2 degrees Celsius, but are aiming to achieve a temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius by <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/record-number-of-countries-to-sign-paris-agreement-of-climate-change-on-earth-day/56844796" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;">2025 and 2030</a>. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnKKSqFcsE2QzfAXX-4iFM_awyXOGwZ32gljxuSHQZfPVg7UGsO0sxnz-OlUSHR7-pslIs5oRCYPiHvQMOJ2SC6DND503jtcY_-vTd9-mUWj2TtDip2T2cRGSsDoO5SAoJSgp63ELhU0/s1600/lead_960+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnKKSqFcsE2QzfAXX-4iFM_awyXOGwZ32gljxuSHQZfPVg7UGsO0sxnz-OlUSHR7-pslIs5oRCYPiHvQMOJ2SC6DND503jtcY_-vTd9-mUWj2TtDip2T2cRGSsDoO5SAoJSgp63ELhU0/s320/lead_960+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
“The number of countries that have indicated their intention to attend and sign the Paris Agreement on 22 April is now up to 155”, said the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq in a press conference last Friday. It has been proclaimed to be a record number of countries to sign, validate and then to ratify it. They must also submit a proposal plan for actions for the agreement to be effective. Although, under International Law, signing treaties does not hold the power of enforcement but rather the voluntary dedication to individual countries to uphold the treaty. Preceding the negotiation period the signing of the treaty is to represent each of the states involved between national delegations as expression of intention to comply with the treaty. This process, however is not binding. In fact it is open to a far range of flexibility for countries to modify how they would like. For the next process is for each state to deal with it according to its own national procedures. Only after the approval has been granted under a state’s own internal procedures, will it notify the other country parties under ratification that they consent to be officially bound by the treaty. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWQLPxdztJS4yKofugfcIbMO1zt4vJNpam5Zdh0CYeBYABUrjGD3Z1ddBYBWn9nl6WPNuEIk3tHWrPdV_cyxYKamxkq3TmpxBOF_FOfoJbjXVvDh6rAPJIaNS5opDlEAU8uLp0eVtVSQ/s1600/trudeaujobs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWQLPxdztJS4yKofugfcIbMO1zt4vJNpam5Zdh0CYeBYABUrjGD3Z1ddBYBWn9nl6WPNuEIk3tHWrPdV_cyxYKamxkq3TmpxBOF_FOfoJbjXVvDh6rAPJIaNS5opDlEAU8uLp0eVtVSQ/s320/trudeaujobs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Trudeau is holding plenty of baggage as newly elected Prime Minister after the UN Conference Board reports Canada with a <a href="http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/trudeau-carries-d-climate-grade-into-un-paris-signing-ceremony/" style="text-decoration: none;">‘D’</a> 14th among 16 countries when it comes to environmental performance; that’s just above United States and Canada. Nine years can greatly tarnish a country’s focus on the environment, of which was blatantly disclosed internationally when former PM Harper removed Canada from the Kyoto Accord. From our geographic size, to our society’s persistence of using dirty energy through coal and oil, our obsession with achieving an American Dream though ownership of gas-guzzling cars. So much of these large policy decisions have been the voices and pressures of the large corporation powers, which have taken control of the room. Where are the train systems that European and Asian countries are flaunting their environmental consciousness? Where is the business in alternative energy taking advantage to our geographical diversity? Thus, it is not just a political or policy change but a cultural shift.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJ03_BDs-JDObxYycP9v7jZlHSDlwBahWUxy2T5sZlbQTArWBndo8K4i9b7zAPi4ClqR81UurJiHjzDBPin32SVMDl_4QSSXfhaBnsYOUdmZHpWnEKIUKvKqTeGc9VCRuTpkCAcBs6A/s1600/Society-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJ03_BDs-JDObxYycP9v7jZlHSDlwBahWUxy2T5sZlbQTArWBndo8K4i9b7zAPi4ClqR81UurJiHjzDBPin32SVMDl_4QSSXfhaBnsYOUdmZHpWnEKIUKvKqTeGc9VCRuTpkCAcBs6A/s320/Society-Poster.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
We hear the words ‘sustainable’ and <a href="http://www.landlearnnsw.org.au/sustainability/what-is-sustainability" style="text-decoration: none;">‘sustainability</a>’ almost everyday but how well do those who hear and use these terms. One definition is an ability or capability of something to be maintained or to sustain itself. It’s about taking what we need to live now, without jeopardizing, the potential for people in the future to meet their needs</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Sustainability is what most government policies struggle with. Even if a party at the time has truly made the years of dedication toward, sought insight from many consultants, research groups, and citizens voicing concerns; sustainability falls through the cracks of bureaucracy. Through elections we have lost focus of upholding sustainable goals and values. Parties have measured their focus so far to the left or to the right that they become blinded to working with what we have already established and how we can continue long-term rather than only foresight of four years. It is however very reassuring that MPs including the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/27/geoff-regan-hecklers-house-commons-question-period_n_9090086.html" style="text-decoration: none;">House Speaker,</a> are standing up against the party bureaucracy in order to focus on making more representative, partnership and planning in order to make Canada a more sustainable society by listening to civil society.</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojIMgCmXtBc2ssel-d0v1Wgh0TWvJ1nwXYhe2mTl500_7oiUD80_HfJai6DV4tYOa3K4xYgyKql_MTL2ojCrUg65UBDj9zZ4PR7r63AaG7Ov4Mf9ptUveZSKaLYnQPqO2wpr0qe1NXdQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-22+at+11.55.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.66px; line-height: 17.48px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojIMgCmXtBc2ssel-d0v1Wgh0TWvJ1nwXYhe2mTl500_7oiUD80_HfJai6DV4tYOa3K4xYgyKql_MTL2ojCrUg65UBDj9zZ4PR7r63AaG7Ov4Mf9ptUveZSKaLYnQPqO2wpr0qe1NXdQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-04-22+at+11.55.02+PM.png" width="320" /></a>Referring to the political will and the wave of action that allowed for the agreement’s adoption, UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres said in a talk at TED 2016 last February in Vancouver, “Impossible isn’t a fact; it’s an attitude.” Perhaps, Prime Minister’s focus on Youth empowerment is just is just the step into the sustainable society we need and have been looking for.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
See Also:</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
What is a Sustainable Society?: #sustainableCND</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://sustainablesociety.com/sustainable-framework/what-is-a-sustainable-society#.VxmoUBMrK8p" style="text-decoration: none;">http://sustainablesociety.com/sustainable-framework/what-is-a-sustainable-society#.VxmoUBMrK8p</a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
What Canada agreed to in Paris - Globe and Mail: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/what-canada-agreed-to-in-paris/article27742735/" style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/what-canada-agreed-to-in-paris/article27742735/</a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Sources of International Law explained:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ViSYjt-wGw" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ViSYjt-wGw</a></div>
<br />
<br />Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-36606238263764708712016-04-19T21:01:00.000-07:002016-04-21T10:10:24.060-07:00The Mockingjay, Guatemala and Canada: Reflections from the Hunger Games<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While living in Guatemala City, a few of us girls under Equipo Forense Internacional took the afternoon off to watch the highly anticipated final part of <i>The Hunger Games</i>. It provided me with a much deeper reflection than before and brought a meaningful conclusion to the situation for Guatemala and my own country. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XTvNdOM6kIMfo4zuFQlBha6JmpPQdeE2ha_2OY4wWSfOEWxXcB2B_7TFv0eOOjjklWP5kKXvyKloWqCxTRN_cmjGA1CfsxEb92Q2vlpf_NwKomOmtR4EfiAJZharb1DX9YrovmhzTmc/s1600/mockingjay-2-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XTvNdOM6kIMfo4zuFQlBha6JmpPQdeE2ha_2OY4wWSfOEWxXcB2B_7TFv0eOOjjklWP5kKXvyKloWqCxTRN_cmjGA1CfsxEb92Q2vlpf_NwKomOmtR4EfiAJZharb1DX9YrovmhzTmc/s320/mockingjay-2-poster.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The book and the film have always intrigued me (other than being far more meaningful and far more empowering than the other teen book and movie series at its time ...cough..Twilight...). I have found that I have grown with the story throughout my undergrad in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, minoring in Psychology. Suzanne Collins has woven quite a few parallels between the novel's political, social, cultural and environmental messaging to our own world's truths and realities pertaining to both historical and contemporary issues. The messaging is a reminder that truly history repeats itself if both citizens and governments do not hold themselves accountable. Despite our innovations, we continue to forget, dismiss the pleas that have always been there, and continue to be silenced. Just some themes I found to have stood out include: the effects of being under control of tyrannical oppression, the propaganda of keeping citizens dorment, the control of first world over third world states, the psychological effects of killing, how rebel and extremist groups form and the propaganda around it that labels whole groups as enemies. The conception of the arena and its dangers, the weapons, the different machines - all are very futuristic but not too unreal. Thus we can see a direct relationship with the real world, which makes the story even scarier and the criticism fiercer.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Having had Guatemala's history and contemporary issues fresh in my mind I must have been sensitive to any occurring similarities. I sat in the theater wondering if these citizens ever felt the empowerment to do the same, rebel again, or assassinate a president due to the continuous oppressive corruption and blatant disparity. For example, Katniss in Mockingjay at knife point exclaims: <i>“We have either reason to kill each other...it just goes around and around and around...I am done being be pieces of his game. Why are you fighting the rebels, your family? These people are not your enemy. We have only one enemy, Snow. He turns the best of us against each other”. </i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWmrEUKCtAsFj3-hlmd0XoyFk37o4hcNt0TClgABzyITGhMvxmUQWCxHIDz5yHsU7edpTAA12CnPF9Nem9FvzDe6SOLxfp0Avm1G4NsvibKVjQUnVozkEbJHh9foykJYgks4th9YylgQ/s1600/Hunger-Games-Mockingjay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWmrEUKCtAsFj3-hlmd0XoyFk37o4hcNt0TClgABzyITGhMvxmUQWCxHIDz5yHsU7edpTAA12CnPF9Nem9FvzDe6SOLxfp0Avm1G4NsvibKVjQUnVozkEbJHh9foykJYgks4th9YylgQ/s320/Hunger-Games-Mockingjay.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So what really defines a radical or terrorist, like the Capitol labels to those who are so desperate for basic rights? It is now an open fact that it was the US CIA led coup to remove Guatemala’s hero presidents Juan Jose Arevalo (1945-1951) and Jacabo Arbenz Guzman (1951- 1954) because he was deemed a threat to US’s United Fruit Company. Companies as this were supported by the country’s authoritarian rulers and the US government through their support for labor regulations and massive concessions to wealthy landowners. After a series of authoritarian governments and great political instability, he was one of the most progressive presidents representative of the human rights and livelihood of his citizens, with sweeping social and economic reforms, including significant increases in literacy and a successful agrarian reform programs. See first hand footage in the film <i>When The Mountains Tremble</i> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4rG8nmgRw4" target="_blank">Youtube FULL</a>). No wonder much of the rest of the world is skeptical when all they see that human rights are the white and rich. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2pvwZpa_PlXpCwfjeFIwpusDjl1wdNEY7xB8xTAScL6MHtEuaPX10bTXQ2gxvuI-9ULahfhBXWjENpKeS_KqH_IurxYvel71T2msb_xogM9mexNqkP-GsLMtpDpjmUUjITC-LcERt7c/s1600/DSCN2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2pvwZpa_PlXpCwfjeFIwpusDjl1wdNEY7xB8xTAScL6MHtEuaPX10bTXQ2gxvuI-9ULahfhBXWjENpKeS_KqH_IurxYvel71T2msb_xogM9mexNqkP-GsLMtpDpjmUUjITC-LcERt7c/s320/DSCN2580.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> These progressive policies led the United Fruit Company lobbying the US government for their overthrow, and a US-engineered coup in 1954 ended the revolution and installed a military regime in its place. From that point on military governments took over, then sparking the brutal and genocidal 36 year Civil War (1960-1996) backed by the US military, the same one I helped uncover mass graves from! Catholic and California-based Evangelical churches had popped up, supported by the US government to preach “blessed be to those who suffer”. It was this ‘good-Christian’ mindset that the worst of the massacres, rape and genocides were conducted from Lucas Garcia (1973 - 1982) to General Rios Montt (1982-1983) including the scorched earth campaign, and the <a href="http://www.ghrc-usa.org/our-work/important-cases/plan-de-sanchez/" target="_blank">Plan de Sanchez massacre</a> in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz of which I went to visit and heard the heart-wrenching recollections of locals there. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church, Israel, and Reagan government, Rios Montt, a former minister, his signature for his campaign was “ If you are with us, we’ll feed you, if you are not, we’ll kill you”. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFgY7HydIl8XC65al5FcSVgypKka5UDJ1iaOpGRJJxx6MKoRY9ehOxlpYOcuCkOEFoeAvHAT7Klr6d98YRGpbZQzU4At2kszEfcARlxkaiHAf7rMK-HJhQNsqby1E000v2Zap1dcEzL4/s1600/Rios-Montt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFgY7HydIl8XC65al5FcSVgypKka5UDJ1iaOpGRJJxx6MKoRY9ehOxlpYOcuCkOEFoeAvHAT7Klr6d98YRGpbZQzU4At2kszEfcARlxkaiHAf7rMK-HJhQNsqby1E000v2Zap1dcEzL4/s320/Rios-Montt.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Now, just think on that for a minute: the height of the Cold War paranoia, not only is the government saying they will kill you, but just how do you think they decipher as an ‘enemy’? On what grounds? Let me just tell you, there was no such consideration as a fair trial for justification of gunning down hundreds and thousands of men, women and children. On December 4, 1982 Reagan declared, “ President Rios Montt is a man of great passion personal integrity and commitment...I know he wants to improve the quality of life for all Guatemalans and to promote social justice”. Much like the praising <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/20/when-america-s-media-cozied-up-to-hitler.html" target="_blank">relations</a> with Hitler just before the war, Reagan even claimed Guatemala’s human rights conditions were improving and used this to justify several major shipments of military hardware to Rios Montt: $4 million in helicopter spare parts and $6.3 million in additional military supplies in 1982 and 1983. The decision was taken in spite of records concerning human rights violations, by-passing the approval from Congress. These records included 1982 Amnesty International report estimated that over 10,000 indigenous Guatemalans and peasant farmers (most of the demographic) were killed from March July and that 100, 000 rural villagers were forced to flee their homes. Estimates of over tens of thousands of non-combatants were killed by the regime’s death squads in the subsequent eighteen months. At the height of the bloodshed under Rios Montt, reports put the number of killings and disappearances at more than 30,000 per month. These deaths would include the thousands of women abducted and taken into the military camps, repeatedly raped, then killed and buried in mass pits like the recent <a href="http://empathyandequalitymatters.blogspot.ca/2016/03/2016-international-womens-day.html" target="_blank">Sepur Zarco</a> case. With just a little US propaganda about removing Communism in the name of ‘democracy’ to keep other countries happy, the government and this corporation could do what they pleased, and the rest is history after repressive after repressive leader. It makes me sick to know how many wars, genocides and endless human rights violations around the world through proxy wars as Latin America, Vietnam and Laos. And the reality is that all the hundreds of thousands of individuals who were labeled Communists, in order to justify their violent deaths, where individuals who half the time had no idea what the term even meant, rather just families like you or I. Therefore whenever I hear that name in the media, news or conversation I remind myself to question just what exactly you are using that label for and what are the root causes. Do you feel comfortable everything you hear? We fight a war against terrorism while our own money funds their <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-april-5-2016-1.3521055/roughly-a-billion-guns-in-the-world-and-other-startling-facts-about-firearms-1.3521141" target="_blank">gun supply</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQiRq32nf_eV6HidxzyF6ax35gCumcReh6EZkPNyqcogZ1O1y4CZKcdOdfCFSMWhDvi2B1aSSfm0NbmN5d_tBFDy6vwmZ4_7nlBqy3HnpuAsYVj4tTBuRAmnDKJY3GLdnTyNIOnIBPOw/s1600/lo-res-mass-grave-Guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQiRq32nf_eV6HidxzyF6ax35gCumcReh6EZkPNyqcogZ1O1y4CZKcdOdfCFSMWhDvi2B1aSSfm0NbmN5d_tBFDy6vwmZ4_7nlBqy3HnpuAsYVj4tTBuRAmnDKJY3GLdnTyNIOnIBPOw/s320/lo-res-mass-grave-Guatemala.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I hear the repeated phrase of “Never Again” in <i>The Hunger Games</i> and our own history and media, I now cringe as it is used over and over while the same disparity continues over. Plutark letter at the end of Mockingjay critiques this : <i>“Now we're in that sweet period where everyone agrees that our recent horrors should never be repeated,"</i> he says. <i>"But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction. Although who knows? Maybe this will be it, Katniss."</i></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnat7ZFwBFtwIK7RzDMUoKdXxjCgQGGNS1scPj_-Nxp4_XOC7GV-gLqkIGZdwbpwLelblhCtgqphTA4NVsnhaCZ5Hbgpq2OGqNzREJDvBBo-QC2YXtYOBzf8OcDuHL2t8TwM1bcp28gh0/s1600/RioNegro10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnat7ZFwBFtwIK7RzDMUoKdXxjCgQGGNS1scPj_-Nxp4_XOC7GV-gLqkIGZdwbpwLelblhCtgqphTA4NVsnhaCZ5Hbgpq2OGqNzREJDvBBo-QC2YXtYOBzf8OcDuHL2t8TwM1bcp28gh0/s320/RioNegro10.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> To my horror after visiting the interactive exhibit in Guatemala City, <a href="http://www.iiars.org/" target="_blank">Por que estomos? (Why are we the way we are?) Por una convivencia digna/ Internaitional Training Institute Training Institute for Social Reconcilliation</a> and <a href="http://cirma.org.gt/glifos/index.php/P%C3%A1gina_principal" target="_blank">Centro de investigacianes negionales de mesoamerica</a>, so many of these last couple generations since the Civil War (1960-1996) have little knowledge as to the extent their governments carried out mass killings on non-combatants as acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. Why? Because their governments and the powers of control continue to refuse to hold themselves accountable past to present as their research proves. And why is it now one of the most violent countries in the world? Because the powers that are supposed to be in support of citizens’ well-being including the justice system and police, are left alone in fear and distrust from all the impunity. The sad part is, that technically you can say, a tyrant is gone, but where is the repair? Why are those who are ‘elected’ in, continue to not take the responsibility to work on fixing the issues that were created in the first place. Conveniently, this information continues to be left out of the history books, continues to leave out any progressive dialogue and organizational funding for social support for the families lost and those now paying the ultimate cost. As a result, there are little effective measures to crack down on the reasons of the endless cycle of violence. Up until Canada’s recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the treatment of our own indigenous continue to mistreated, discriminated and refused equal social support as the rest of the population as we were left ignorant to the truths of history. The recent <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2635278/attawapiskat-crisis-has-hallmarks-of-possible-suicide-contagion/" target="_blank">Attawapiskat suicides</a> is just a glimpse that has been going on for years. Canada has also sent citizens to POW concentration camps during war times, has been quick to accept a label another as an enemy, as we have done to “communist” to “terrorist/guerilla”. Like the Hunger Games, the over-dramaticized shows, or the offensively shallow humour, we remain dormant; taken little social responsibility for the violence and discrimination which starts as a child is born. Just as Haymitch notes in Catching Fire: <i>“They will continue to play your love story so people forget what the real problems are”.</i></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGGhPI7ok0BEMcyl_WI366DoeQp1RujA0pZsnKJ8lECfCUCY8ORWOZUF9rVUsfei3Ez9n5GCMBBDHa3MrmZhyiG8GdUWKAk2ypTnXHyLAb0WK6D3c96fZwSh6aS_h8SOq-RQVhtKn4k0/s1600/riosMarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGGhPI7ok0BEMcyl_WI366DoeQp1RujA0pZsnKJ8lECfCUCY8ORWOZUF9rVUsfei3Ez9n5GCMBBDHa3MrmZhyiG8GdUWKAk2ypTnXHyLAb0WK6D3c96fZwSh6aS_h8SOq-RQVhtKn4k0/s320/riosMarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">">Democracy is never officially presented in the book as a model to follow. Collins goes beyond the simplistic and is not afraid to show the limits. From Winston Churchill’s “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried”, I am appreciative of this from the endless debates we had in classes on the pros, cons and challenges of democratically run states. Much of the academic discussions included how transitioning democratic models of government can be just as dangerous than per se a dictatorship, and the vast variety in whether a state will hold any amount of legitimacy and accountability </span><a href="http://indicatorsinfo.pbworks.com/f/Goldstone.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Goldstone, Jack). </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Collins addresses today’s people, those in power right now and the present population: </span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Everyone,” Plutarch tells him. “We’re going to form a republic where the people of each district and the Capitol can elect their own representatives to be their voice in a centralized government. Don’t look so suspicious; it’s worked before.” “In books,” Haymitch mutters. “In history books,” says Plutarch. “And if our ancestors could do it, then we can, too.” Frankly, our ancestors don’t seem much to brag about. I mean, look at the state they left us in, with the wars and the broken planet. Clearly, they didn’t care about what would happen to the people who came after them. But this republic idea sounds like an improvement over our current government.”</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh5VvCmI3eQOfcrneE9FB8dcuQh8utswPDGAhvK7FzOhVEmqb9woQbKj4Sm0kMTS8Zd8Ftf2oyILxK9CYqKm3RYSzsCPvIWWTejg6f0Dt8p4KaEr3EPaOY9F1O2ADSqpHWUt27pliFow/s1600/DSCN2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh5VvCmI3eQOfcrneE9FB8dcuQh8utswPDGAhvK7FzOhVEmqb9woQbKj4Sm0kMTS8Zd8Ftf2oyILxK9CYqKm3RYSzsCPvIWWTejg6f0Dt8p4KaEr3EPaOY9F1O2ADSqpHWUt27pliFow/s320/DSCN2581.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDKQ9Kj9TBLMzxm3QRVKoWqbIjxsHPqqWfERru6_LRS3epWUeTnjIHgBXb4TfqVVfFSHlMBbe4iLJmD2JWV6prOvM4knnp6CF3CjszB-9Nj7EYpF76hAj5v015bdWr5apSuniMud3LaI/s1600/Image14_H240xW500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDKQ9Kj9TBLMzxm3QRVKoWqbIjxsHPqqWfERru6_LRS3epWUeTnjIHgBXb4TfqVVfFSHlMBbe4iLJmD2JWV6prOvM4knnp6CF3CjszB-9Nj7EYpF76hAj5v015bdWr5apSuniMud3LaI/s320/Image14_H240xW500.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As vaguely hinted at in <i>Mockingjay</i> we can promise fairness and justice during, after rebellion, civil or ethnic conflict but most often the system and former political members have not just suddenly changed their values and methods of leadership from its history's dictatorship. So where do these former party leaders go? I’ll tell you. In Guatemala after the 1996 Peace Accord which in part, a Truth Commission was brought up, the military was disbanded. Then left jobless, they began to saturate into the police and justice system, taking on the same dirty work and bribery as they had learned in their previous career. These generations of police would continue to agree to bribes to let murderers discard of the evidence, not to mention the thousands of XX uninvestigated female femicide victims. Now there has been some international work such as with the Justice Education Society training in 2003-2011 with police and justice (see </span><a href="http://www.justiceeducation.ca/international/videos/most-violent-place-earth" style="line-height: 1.2; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Most Violent Place on Earth </span></a> film). Research and individuals on the ground as Christian Silva of EFI-IFIFT and the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.inacif.gob.gt/" style="line-height: 1.2; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses de Guatemala </span></a> did express some positive outlooks on the newest generations of police and justice force but are still highly controlled from these ex-military. As a result, I now hold a critical eye on Peace Treaties and Peace Accords, even though they are the very thing I hope for during the war and terror of conflict. This just marks the very beginning of the work to come. Just like Snow’s white roses, I see the statues of peace hands erected all around Guatemala City and the fresh white roses placed in their Cultural Palace. I see the dissatisfaction and lack of legitimacy and accountability they represent to so many Guatemalans; a false hope.
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Furthermore, I want to discuss the real-world similarities around the centrality around Panem as a representation of just what first-world nations do to control of third-world countries. Just as we see the great poverty and abuse of the Districts in order to benefit of the first world in blinding ignorance, denial and desensitization of the real horrors of violence of the Hunger Games and the poverty of the Districts they live in, we see the glorified violence in our own games and entertainment. Guatemala, like the hundreds more countries that are pushed around and ‘raped’ of their resources, are without a fair payment, polluting and worsening corruption. And in most cases, these first-world countries like the US and Canada involve themselves calling it humanitarian aid or economic trade when their work contrary to our own Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a recent New York Times article </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/world/americas/guatemalan-womens-claims-put-focus-on-canadian-firms-conduct-abroad.html?_r=1&ncid=fcbklnkcahpmg00000008" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guatemalan Women’s Claims Put Focus on Canadian Firms’ Conduct Abroad</span></a> Mrs. Caal said, the men who had come to evict her from land they said belonged to a Canadian mining company also took turns raping her. After that, they dragged her from her home and set it ablaze. I soon found out this was not the only matter.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieABPZZktVEG459_MiizacBf10ZYSfg5B1oWJ9IzHC4gvfMDJK9XFXcok5pp9A6M3EzVdAMBOuETPCNzCkrqvZ-gbmiCXnTYeme-yD6glN7GPlWfonYypfW9pdCslFYch-T8czliUCHnA/s1600/12998408_10150612365444997_7254421164947152965_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieABPZZktVEG459_MiizacBf10ZYSfg5B1oWJ9IzHC4gvfMDJK9XFXcok5pp9A6M3EzVdAMBOuETPCNzCkrqvZ-gbmiCXnTYeme-yD6glN7GPlWfonYypfW9pdCslFYch-T8czliUCHnA/s320/12998408_10150612365444997_7254421164947152965_o.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ottawa artist Radchild Productions:<a href="http://radchildproductions.tumblr.com/">http://radchildproductions.tumblr.com/</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -9pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just before the 2015 Canadian Elections I was presented to summarize a recently published book </span><a href="https://yvesengler.com/yves-books/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper’s Foreign Policy</span></a> , by Yves Engler. To my horror I learned of Canada’s disgraceful relations to Central and South America. Chapter after chapter was documented evidence of just how many multi-disciplinary issues had seriously risen up under the Harper government, from the tar sands and environment, to the Arab Spring, bombing Libya, concerning relations with Israel, at war with Lebanon and Iran, the consequences of our militarism and promotion as a warrior nation, mining, and business above all else. As Englar expresses, “No matter how much Canadians wish we were simply known for hockey or our comedians, the mining industry increasingly represents Canada abroad...thousands of projects outside of Canada, displaced communities, destroyed ecosystems and provoked violence. Pick almost any country in the Global South - from Papua New Guinea, to Ghauna, Ecuador, and the Philippines”. To understand some of the unrest, on a pre-planned visit to Chiapas, Governor General Michaelle Jean and deputy minister Peter Kent were greeted with chants of "Canada get out". During a July 2007 trip to Chile PM Harper was greeted with signs stating "Harper go home" and " Canada: What's HARPERing here?" This has been because not only did the Harper government provide huge support for the large companies as Barrick Gold, the funds had been pumped through internship and development projects. In June 2011, CIDA announced. $6.7 million in funding, the biggest was between Plan Canada and IAMGOLD...."to respond to the needs of the mining company..that the number of Graduates are expected to go directed into jobs at mining company". The company's CEO warned miners "I have zero tolerance for strikers. I will not tolerate anything that is negative to our stakeholders.The other two NGO-mining company projects announced by CIDA, were $500000 to to project between World University Service and Rio Tinto AlCAN, then $500000 to World Vision Canada Barrick Gold projects. In response, Miguel Palacin, the head of a Peruvian indigenous organization sent a letter to World Vision, Barrick and CIDA claiming that "no 'social works' carried out with the mining companies can compensate the damage done, particularly in the face of the rights having been violated". It is important to note from Engler’s research that CIDA-funded NGO-mining contracts are problematic:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) taxpayers should not subsidize the social responsibilities of highly profitable mining companies,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -9pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) while such CIDA contracts further weaken NGOS critical of Canadian operations while strengthening those groups willing to defend the work with mining companies, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -9pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3)it places moral weight of the aid agency (and NGOs) on the side of the company. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW409sVIKwY1y8RgJkYDBEOKUk06hSKcQQEHAKcflZBnT1Qwlvn_MBxULcgLfbmrvqRWw2F9VKRAsh9GPTqKH1LaqtBvkGLexl7it1SNO0vR6C12dWVingRK_1w_GRUCFf3BhCMhqi6Lw/s1600/gua_report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW409sVIKwY1y8RgJkYDBEOKUk06hSKcQQEHAKcflZBnT1Qwlvn_MBxULcgLfbmrvqRWw2F9VKRAsh9GPTqKH1LaqtBvkGLexl7it1SNO0vR6C12dWVingRK_1w_GRUCFf3BhCMhqi6Lw/s320/gua_report.jpg" width="230" /></span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -9pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not only Canada’s mining relations, but the power of corporations and the focused mindset of business above all else has prevented of social change in the Latin Americas. For example, Engler reports of the impact of international political interference, when new policies do not help powerful corporations. “The coup in Paraguay had been the primary tool of foreign interference in this region”. Canada was one of only a handful of countries in world that immediately recognized new government: "Canada notes that Fernando Lugo (of Paraguay) has accepted the decision of the Paraguayan Senate to impeach him and that a new president Ferderico Franco has been sworn in" said Deputy foreign minister Ablonczy the day after the coup which was premature. Both the Canadian Labour Congress and IndustiALL Global Union criticized the Conservative's move to recognize the new government.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then 3 weeks after Lugo alluded to Ottawa's hostility, " the coup now attempts to attack the South American regional integration efforts". On a couple of occasions the overthrown president claimed Canadian economic interests contributed to the coup saying, " those who wanted to solidify the</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">negotiations with the multi-national Rio Tinto Alcan... for a $4 billion aluminum plant". Even Vice President Franco had complained, "I told the president why did you send me to Canada to study the aluminum project if Deputy Minister (Mercedes) was going to oppose it". After the coup the vice president became president and Franco announced that negotiations with Rio Tinto Alcan would be fast tracked. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRypuoJCo6Pkx2d4lnGp3qvfg6jz96J8t8NdfdTEpbOmCRME_9c2C2FsbO8Yf_Xpd5whGWt-eC7p5pkQvdyOKSILuqkc4SD4kctKmQ7mxjmuXDmbA-XIkzXY6zZ-YuZvSkqTC9OpN6LRw/s1600/ACL_6807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRypuoJCo6Pkx2d4lnGp3qvfg6jz96J8t8NdfdTEpbOmCRME_9c2C2FsbO8Yf_Xpd5whGWt-eC7p5pkQvdyOKSILuqkc4SD4kctKmQ7mxjmuXDmbA-XIkzXY6zZ-YuZvSkqTC9OpN6LRw/s320/ACL_6807.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-6cc3-0ab9-faf49340bb32" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -9pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-6cc3-0ab9-faf49340bb32"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then in 2009, Canada’s government supported the Honduran military removal of elected president Zelaya. Soon after demonstrators took to the streets calling for return of president. In the midst of state backed repression, the Conservatives gave the regime a boost of legitimacy by commencing bilateral trade negotiations in October 2010 which was designed largely to serve the interests of Canadian investors, some $600 million but 10 Honduran human rights organizations reposed with "Pronouncement Rejecting the Extractive. Policy towards a more united Latin America joining the Bolivian Alliance for the People of our Americas, while post-coup withdrew the bilateral trade deal between Canada and Honduras" claimed the agreement would lead to further abuses by Canadian mining companies. Zelaya had tried to raise the minimum wage in 2009 but was blocked by Montrael-based Gildan, which met regularly with Foreign Affairs under pressure from US-based Maquila Solidarity, Nike, Gap and other US apparel operating in Honduras called for restoration of democracy. Gildan had refused to sign, whom is dependent on producing apparel at the lowest cost possible. Harper told reporters on a tour of the facility "Gildan pays about minimum wage. It runs health, nutrition and transport programs..and is a very good corporate citizen", while demonstrators carried banners criticizing its labor practices an Harper's support for the coup. Some tried to deliver an open letter to the PM by the Honduran Women's Collective explaining that the production quotas imposed are the highest in the Industry in Honduras. In 2008 Zelaya responded to grassroots pressure and announced no new mining concessions would be granted. Much to the annoyance of Canadian mining companies that dominate the Honduras Extractive industry, the coup interrupted final reading to raise royal rates and greater community consent. Vancouver-based Goldcorp had provided money. The most concerning aspect to me is the tarnished reputation that has been established in those 10 years and how hard it will be to ever re-establish a positive and trusting representation. Remember, those businessmen, or farmers affected don’t know we had a change in government who value upholding respectful and accountable relations. No matter how much people put blame, we need a government for a state to exist, so rather than complaining about it, actively participate in order of to monitor accountability</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXu0W-L9D42mAKa6wlVD7Rx-khRBgAn6QNa82f70uot6w42SEKRhcikSFL9ZGeNOwVoOcDAdzByUm1uRURvMrN15trbopZkyySWW5Ow5KN66g83CrE5G0zQcVdAx5Xm4hH3Xa-cCFjg0/s1600/colombia_parliament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXu0W-L9D42mAKa6wlVD7Rx-khRBgAn6QNa82f70uot6w42SEKRhcikSFL9ZGeNOwVoOcDAdzByUm1uRURvMrN15trbopZkyySWW5Ow5KN66g83CrE5G0zQcVdAx5Xm4hH3Xa-cCFjg0/s320/colombia_parliament.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-6cc3-0ab9-faf49340bb32"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-6cc3-0ab9-faf49340bb32">
<br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly on a more positive note, I would like to acknowledge the role Katniss plays in opening discussion for the reality of violence, corruption and the struggle of dealing with trauma. Katniss struggles with overcoming loss and the trauma she and those around her face. Katniss' voice of humanity and realism is so very refreshing; for once this narrative is not silenced by the glorification of war we see in far too many stories and dialogues. She shows us the emotional and physical pain, the trauma of violence of which the protagonist and those around her continue to struggle with. From this it opens up the discussion of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is very real and a very real human response we see around the world, diagnosed or not, as Lt. Col. Dave Grossman writes in the novel I am reading </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just consider all the children who live though violence in domestic homes, interstate violence, ethnic conflict, the youth who are forced to kill their families and manipulated into killing machines or provide no other source of income other than join forces and destroy ‘another’ to survive or for a duty from a great threat to their nation. Some of these families I have met, all experienced serious trauma and after decades, still have little sense of closure. The character Gale, was so focussed on killing those of the Capitol, says sometimes “you gotta think that the killing is not personal." But, Katniss responds right back, “I of all p</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">eople, know that it is personal". Seeing first hand the catastrophic effects of systemic fear, distrust, lack of proper support and social services, we need good reminders in our first world lives. As I sit in that Guatemalan theatre I wonder if at the ending scene they take her words to heart in dealing with and overcoming the pain of loss and trauma of violence, as the family we uncovered the mass graves of:</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="line-height: 17.6px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"></span></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"My children, who don't know they play on a graveyard. Peeta says it will be okay. We have each other. And the book. We can make them understand in a way that will make them braver. But one day I'll have to explain about my nightmares. Why they came. Why they won't ever really go away. I'll tell them how I survive it. I'll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I'm afraid it could be taken away. That's when I make a list in my head of every act of goodness I've seen someone do. It's like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after more than twenty years. But there are much worse games to play.”</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vwVKLTyXFy14X3EXucTEjgZdHvlhqX7GCM2PBjlvJtuivJCnyRQaCoVzm82rqEBLfTN3ykhdjPfPH5H0iG32_qvQLljwHbCuft59mQst5r3fTQ5W1LfTxEKOpLmtl4sV6wPLgnKiNGc/s1600/katniss-hunger-games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vwVKLTyXFy14X3EXucTEjgZdHvlhqX7GCM2PBjlvJtuivJCnyRQaCoVzm82rqEBLfTN3ykhdjPfPH5H0iG32_qvQLljwHbCuft59mQst5r3fTQ5W1LfTxEKOpLmtl4sV6wPLgnKiNGc/s400/katniss-hunger-games.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Political Message of The Hunger Games </span><a href="http://the-artifice.com/the-hunger-games-political-message/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://the-artifice.com/the-hunger-games-political-message/</span></a></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guatemala: political security and socio-economic conditions and U.S. Relations </span><a href="https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42580.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42580.pdf</span></a></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guatemala Squeezed Between Crime and Impunity </span><a href="http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/latin-america/33%20Guatemala%20----%20Squeezed%20Between%20Crime%20and%20Impunity.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/latin-america/33%20Guatemala%20----%20Squeezed%20Between%20Crime%20and%20Impunity.pdf</span></a></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Digging Guatemala: Anthropologists Look For Clues To Past Political Killings </span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/anthropologists-study-political-killings/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/anthropologists-study-political-killings/</span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4">
</span>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guatemala’s Killing Fields </span><a href="http://newint.org/features/1991/12/05/killing/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://newint.org/features/1991/12/05/killing/</span></a></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f02b7c74-2f69-c2bf-6a5f-3d4f7eb387b4">
</span></span></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-38073794953874522552016-03-07T18:25:00.000-08:002016-03-08T05:42:41.423-08:002016 International Women’s Day: Highlighting Guatemala’s Sepur Zarco Case<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Please enjoy: Woman (Oh Mama) - Joy Williams (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55sY1WqGyMY" target="_blank">see original video</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FLgBQKDra2Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLgBQKDra2Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4d8a6517-53fb-aaf0-fdde-a7ed103e0d89" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 8 is <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/About" target="_blank">International Women’s Day</a>. It is sad for me when some people laugh at the idea that there is a day in recognition of women. Therefore, I will pose a reminder: </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">International Women's Day is a international day all about celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action - whatever that looks like globally and at a local level; reflecting on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. It is a collective day of celebration and a call for gender equality. No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women's network or media hub is solely responsible for International Women's Day. "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who care about human rights," says world-renowned feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AupLPbxKc9Rh2MuxTEZh4GHEdYQFVaC4UC44NaNRYW41Z-DNeZcgZMI_kQi_HY7HIA-InmKKdiXfAiZ_iyQD9tXFKnnX55cGkc8yIxLHUWIpWr_R6_RAqZBJXP7KspXTIX0Q9iR2k50/s1600/JuicioSepurZarco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AupLPbxKc9Rh2MuxTEZh4GHEdYQFVaC4UC44NaNRYW41Z-DNeZcgZMI_kQi_HY7HIA-InmKKdiXfAiZ_iyQD9tXFKnnX55cGkc8yIxLHUWIpWr_R6_RAqZBJXP7KspXTIX0Q9iR2k50/s320/JuicioSepurZarco.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Many organizations declare an annual IWD theme that supports their specific agenda or cause, and some of these are adopted more widely with relevance than others. International women’s day is both a reminder and a call to action; gender equality is still not a reality and there are many issues affecting women all over the world.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
This International Women’s Day I will dedicate my time and efforts by attending multiple panels on Gender Equality, and will also raise attention to the thousands of men and women affected by rape and murder committed through the case of Sepur Zarco. Sepur Zarco was one of military bases where by the Guatemalan military committed mass killings and rape against the local populous beginning in 1981 through 1988. I have a personal connection to this case, I learned of it while I was working in Guatemala and had the opportunity to interview individuals who were directly affected, many I spoke with had lost their loved ones and continue to suffer to trauma. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt2cmAi-CE783Fwyn1zNdrGQh5PH30PNfI99QVXVUEVr_zxNBeR3U4pALioqR51XVB_6Yn4bOndPrsGPmnONRy67T57j_xO19KPsNjO7tKQGKbrbXgsQEVdfz-BxNxVSliiwplNrUKYs/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt2cmAi-CE783Fwyn1zNdrGQh5PH30PNfI99QVXVUEVr_zxNBeR3U4pALioqR51XVB_6Yn4bOndPrsGPmnONRy67T57j_xO19KPsNjO7tKQGKbrbXgsQEVdfz-BxNxVSliiwplNrUKYs/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
After more than 30 years of shame, the women had received a form of justice when the court declared: “We believe you … it wasn’t your fault … the army terrorised you in order to destroy your community.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
"This is historic, it is a great step for women and above all for the victims," said Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, who attended the hearing.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
On February 26, 2016, after the last 20 days of traumatic testimony, Francisco Reyes Giron and Heriberto Valdez Asij were found guilty of crimes against humanity in a precedent setting case for sexual slavery. Francisco Reyes Giron, who was the commander of the Sepur Zarco military base, was found guilty of holding 15 women in sexual and domestic slavery and for killing 20-year old Dominga Cuc Cocand and her two daughters. Heriberto Valdez Asij, a paramilitary who carried out commissions for the army, was convicted for the same, as well as the forced disappearance of seven men. The victims have been demanding accountability for the crimes at Sepur Zarco for decades. Like so many other areas of the world, Guatemala’s 36-year civil war, rape was widely used as a weapon, according to human rights groups. But last week’s ruling marked the first time, anyone had faced justice for sexual violence during the conflict – and the first time anywhere in the world that sexual slavery perpetrated during an armed conflict had been prosecuted in the country where the crimes took place.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ-fVASJjwEpjGM9Rhbq1J92df51IFFEIvJ0KIfDZAZqtgW8Zsh7jhxFQtUpbb5y6GWDO_jbY5-pPmfTfoqmV70nI5i2MtVYBigql7cDx-e1VQgVrx4CYHOSlt0Py2XLCEJwGVYmXXYg/s1600/Reyes+Giron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ-fVASJjwEpjGM9Rhbq1J92df51IFFEIvJ0KIfDZAZqtgW8Zsh7jhxFQtUpbb5y6GWDO_jbY5-pPmfTfoqmV70nI5i2MtVYBigql7cDx-e1VQgVrx4CYHOSlt0Py2XLCEJwGVYmXXYg/s320/Reyes+Giron.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former army officer Esteelmer Francisco Giron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
The post-war Commission for Historical Clarification documented 1,465 such cases, and almost 90% of the victims were indigenous women. But as for anything in seeking legal action, evidence and witness’ accounts are crucial. Finally giving a voice to the victims is so important as they were the ones silenced. According to the prosecution, the military set up camp in the village of Sepur Zarco at the end of 1981 where the armed forces repeatedly attacked the village of Sepur Zarco and killed or took away Mayan leaders who had been applying for land titles on which their families had lived and farmed for centuries. The men were accused of being associated with left-wing guerrillas.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
Agustin Chen, one of the men who survived said the soldiers took him to a cell and beat him every day.The court heard how military commanders considered the women to be "available" without their men and had then taken them into sexual and domestic slavery. They were required to report every third day to the base for "shifts" during which they were raped, sexually abused, and forced to cook and clean for the soldiers. In a report to the court, anthropologist Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimatuj said military outposts were installed in the region "to give security to the landowner's farms and to take possession of the lands". For some of the victims, their ordeal lasted as long as six years until the base was closed in 1988.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ySs2s1aQzzRhbdrlW7gzTpIkydmc9iwDG0LIj0Wn0KPiEcDT_Zwyj_1UDPFfOjoEd-Ui_w4e6g-zDHRxiki18slqJmJT3FKJNsLPWXZ6kg2Psy9198-SdldXQ2EFehnwj2Xhq2GDDN0/s1600/valdez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ySs2s1aQzzRhbdrlW7gzTpIkydmc9iwDG0LIj0Wn0KPiEcDT_Zwyj_1UDPFfOjoEd-Ui_w4e6g-zDHRxiki18slqJmJT3FKJNsLPWXZ6kg2Psy9198-SdldXQ2EFehnwj2Xhq2GDDN0/s320/valdez.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former paramilitary fighter Heriberto Valdez Asij</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
Throughout the trial, the 14 surviving victims aged between 52 and 75, sat very still in court with their heads covered in traditional embroidered shawls, just a few metres away from the accused.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The court heard from </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_uLaPf7BdI&app=desktop" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Petrona Choc Cuc</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who said, her husband, and their four children fled to the mountains in 1982 as soldiers rounded up their neighbours. “At night we wrapped ourselves up in nylon sheets. We got rained on. There were many insects … This is not the product of my imagination; I lived this. We suffered a great deal.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
The family was eventually found by soldiers and Choc Cuc’s husband was killed, but the children managed to flee deeper into the mountains until they could no longer endure the dire conditions. “We went to the military base and got on our knees and begged them to forgive us, to not kill us,” she said in her recorded testimony. “Many times I was raped. One of my daughters was raped too … Every day I suffer because of what they did to me.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_A9ZcpTf6PbwWvWFibuOy_kAupHh7BBrQoD2Or4OJt-N4pMDWvXp1vJM0WCQsjAQrnJqT-1CVOVWWsUClmtrgck2fYaI320TPCccldhGacuzxEm2dl_wkYEN0zDMUWDLtQrEIH61TRU/s1600/a0b53223-f1e3-4709-8498-dced47f6c841_749_499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_A9ZcpTf6PbwWvWFibuOy_kAupHh7BBrQoD2Or4OJt-N4pMDWvXp1vJM0WCQsjAQrnJqT-1CVOVWWsUClmtrgck2fYaI320TPCccldhGacuzxEm2dl_wkYEN0zDMUWDLtQrEIH61TRU/s320/a0b53223-f1e3-4709-8498-dced47f6c841_749_499.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
A number of women testified that they were forcibly given contraceptives by military medical staff. Demecia Yat de Xol explained how she was raped at home and then forced to live on the camp for months as punishment for searching for her disappeared husband. “They put us [women] in a room and began raping us. I was pregnant at the time and suffered a miscarriage.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
Yat de Xol also testified that her cousin Dominga Cuc was locked in a small house at the base and raped by soldiers until she was “practically lifeless”. “I don’t know who gave the order but we could hear them shooting, then we heard that she had been killed,” she said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
Cuc’s elderly mother Julia Cuc Choc told the court how years later when the bodies were exhumed, “They found hair, clothes, and my daughter’s bones. But they only found the undergarments of my granddaughters. Their bones had turned to dust.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
Another witness, Rosa Tiul, described how she was forced to cook for the soldiers for six months during which time she was taken to different rooms and raped by up to six men at a time. The terror continued even after she was allowed to return home.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwqqjcPlh3OUXJnSTatZ1IrgrfHA64J5de2PAKZAL8l5CUeXy5nN6PgvCFWkipHdyMJPsjor3EhBZeA6sRzp4HKpD48O9VDJtVe3sKDnWTHQfbTWauLhnxx2oHTmUnRs0k2IzWLPU828/s1600/52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwqqjcPlh3OUXJnSTatZ1IrgrfHA64J5de2PAKZAL8l5CUeXy5nN6PgvCFWkipHdyMJPsjor3EhBZeA6sRzp4HKpD48O9VDJtVe3sKDnWTHQfbTWauLhnxx2oHTmUnRs0k2IzWLPU828/s320/52.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
“The [soldiers] told me if I didn’t let them [rape me] they would kill me,” she said. “Sometimes they tied me down and put a rifle on my chest … They knew which ones of us [women] were alone … They treated us like animals.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the most stirring moments of the trial came in the second week when the court was presented with 38 boxes containing the remains of 51 victims recovered by forensic anthropologists from Sepur Zarco and another nearby base. The bones were so badly decomposed that only two of the victims, including Rosa Tiul’s husband, have been successfully identified. In fact, towards the end of my stay in Guatemala, a couple of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Equipo-Forense-Internacional-EFI-1763193893913494/?fref=ts" target="_blank">EFI-IFIFT</a> members were contacted by the court and asked to come back to testify about the mass graves of women the forensic anthropologists had discovered. They told the courts told that a mass grave had been uncovered right outside the army barracks and that the victims had been disposed of like trash. The EFI-IFIFT members lacked faith in the system, as they had testified about these findings 6 years before, and still the case was being dragged out, with no sign of a resolution. The people Guatemala lacked faith in system as well due to the “Guatemalan legislature’s continued refusal to ‘recognize crimes against women despite the 2008 passing of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ley Contra Femicidio y Otras Formas de Violencia Contra la Mujer </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Law Against Femicide and Other Forms of Violence Against Women), which called for longer penalties.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Aa3RhFrR9V_gW_9Lb-WkHHpw-AHKTZJXVtu8zHq2u0i59ENZbhIje7PRcwxCv1XToA5JoyRubFY7SfwRkviAmx3spHeBuIu6TItz77QLrt3aCyesXte0M4lqUoMK-K3IAgNNtpbjLvg/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Aa3RhFrR9V_gW_9Lb-WkHHpw-AHKTZJXVtu8zHq2u0i59ENZbhIje7PRcwxCv1XToA5JoyRubFY7SfwRkviAmx3spHeBuIu6TItz77QLrt3aCyesXte0M4lqUoMK-K3IAgNNtpbjLvg/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
At one point, Reyes’s defence lawyer Moisés Galindo – who previously defended the former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt at his 2013 trial for genocide – caused uproar when he accused the victims of being prostitutes, and dismissed the experts and protected witnesses as liars. In his own defence, Reyes repeatedly denied working at Sepur Zarco, even though there are records of his placement there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt;">
“Prostitutes” or not, confining someone and forcing them against their will to be raped over and over again is rape, no matter who it is or what their occupation. This accusation is only used to dismiss the victims claims and justify the violence committed against them and should be disregarded by the courts.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Guatemala City supreme court has technically sentenced the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">two</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> former members of the military to 360 years in jail for the murder, rape and sexual enslavement of the Q’eqchi women. But we must not forget that the perpetrators rarely serve their full sentence. Rather, we need to refrain from a sigh of relief like the problem is solved because it is not. Far too often a case becomes no more than a public stunt to appease those short-term. The women were “awarded” ( much of the article uses this term but it is improper to “award” compensation to people whose rights and lives were violated in the first place)</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">compensation for the long-term physical, psychological and economic harm suffered. But can there really be justice when those accountable do not accept punishment or guilt? What about all the other hundreds in the country who experienced the same. This case only recognizes only a small portion of victims who suffered. Still, this is a major step forward in victims receiving the justice they deserve. Catalina Ruiz Navarro exclaims “ Guatemala sexual slavery verdict shows women’s bodies are not battlefields.”</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDEAAqbY19E10Ax4P9ABRR4is_AuVP-g0fWBx-HPj5oi-GVHCbsq9A6HFLB8S47kFn2sXJA_XMW1ZlitKt-5kSO7eI8Jz2Jog2t6mtZ9mAL45-54OdhCz8_4UNen3WNH9dAmxm2AOD24/s1600/3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDEAAqbY19E10Ax4P9ABRR4is_AuVP-g0fWBx-HPj5oi-GVHCbsq9A6HFLB8S47kFn2sXJA_XMW1ZlitKt-5kSO7eI8Jz2Jog2t6mtZ9mAL45-54OdhCz8_4UNen3WNH9dAmxm2AOD24/s320/3840.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly, I cannot stress enough that this is not something in a far distant place. Assault and rape is all around us. Many of us do not hold uphold gender equality, or the dignity we all deserve. Rape and indiscriminate violence are legacies of colonialism. Similar to Spanish conquest, Chris Hedges in the book I am reading, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://perseuspromos.com/hedges/daysofdestructiondaysofrevolt/" target="_blank">Days of Destruction Days of Revolt</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">accounts on the rape and disrespect of others in the American indigenous history.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He writes, ‘Soldiers on the western frontier who passed captive squaws from tent to tent joked that “Indian women rape easy”, as accounted by Ben Clark, General Custer’s chief of scouts about Custer’s 1868 Washita raid’. From then on after, families after families continue the cycle of violence on their children or neighbors. Moreover, one of the EFI-IFIFT Cristian Silva’s thesis, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Importance on Gender-Based Violence in Guatemala</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 97 percent of the atrocities committed towards women, girls and senior women (60 and above) were committed by the armed forces to ensure that the “effects of sexual assault” maintained a patriarchal legacy of “long-lasting shame, fear, and self-degradation”, and entire communities were left facing “silence and denial”. Impunity is entrenched in Guatemalan social life. The perpetrators of femicide continue to do so without fear of consequence. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So then what about the thousands of missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada? We continue to perpetuate with name calling and ostracizing, even if you say it is “just a joke” (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7OXDWof30" target="_blank">Dear daddy video</a>). Like the 97 year old </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://empathyandequalitymatters.blogspot.ca/2015/12/why-dont-you-just-asked-people-who.html" target="_blank">Petronilia</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who we interviewed or the hundreds of contemporary cases of gender-based violence post Peace Accord, they will never get to see their daughters again. It takes two. Together, man and woman we are the ones to make a difference.</span></span></div>
<br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
...One to sign off to: Rise Up -Andra Day</span><br />
<br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kNKu1uNBVkU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kNKu1uNBVkU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 17.6px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/01/guatemala-sexual-slavery-sepur-zarco-military-officers-jailed" target="_blank">Justice at last for Guatemalan women as military officers jailed for sexual slavery</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35674893" target="_blank">Guatemala: Rape Sentences in Landmark Military Trial</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.66px; line-height: 17.6px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/justicia/comienza-debate-por-ultrajes-en-sepur-zarco" target="_blank">Debate Begins Outrages in Sepur Zarco</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/justicia/embajadores-presencian-comienzo-del-juicio-sepur-zarco" target="_blank">Sepur Zarco: Accused Refuses to Discuss Case</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://comunitariapress.wordpress.com/2016/02/02/caso-sepur-zarco-organizaciones-internacionales-celebran-el-inicio-del-juicio/" target="_blank">Sepur case Zarco: International Organizations Celebrate the Start of the Trial</a></span></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-69597736301735221172016-02-20T21:28:00.000-08:002016-02-20T22:28:04.805-08:00Breathe: Making It Happen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtppFHfpccTZ5AbsvcV0dMtA1UoOOgadUt8kq0t7CaxnhHT9Vkx7qatkAgYPJ8LQvkOQnlHF9rYixVufbV3zwodjZvt0zU-RnxICjAO__fi5RK4pQ3l4DP2vF1s4b-8M-_BgTJmreUIc/s1600/12728916_10153969717018896_720551504541021960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtppFHfpccTZ5AbsvcV0dMtA1UoOOgadUt8kq0t7CaxnhHT9Vkx7qatkAgYPJ8LQvkOQnlHF9rYixVufbV3zwodjZvt0zU-RnxICjAO__fi5RK4pQ3l4DP2vF1s4b-8M-_BgTJmreUIc/s320/12728916_10153969717018896_720551504541021960_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Since
I arrived back from Guatemala, it has been career planning and resetting my
career objectives. The pressure of figuring out what career path “best” matches
your interests and values is ubiquitously hard. I acknowledge and respect that
as a woman in a developed and progressive society I am even able to take more
time than others to test the waters. Having the ability and cultural support in
career searching through school and work plays an integral part in
socioeconomics and the country and culture I live in allows me to do so. But
more importantly, this does not mean it is limited to this status and that no
matter where we are, what country or demographic, we strive for our potential
and what will make us happy in our life. My time in high school taught me
little of how to be in-tune with my interests to a career field. Along the way
some words of inspiration have given support to these concerns. TED Talk guest
Emilie Wapnick on “<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling?language=en"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Why some of us don’t have one true calling</span></a>” hits the discussion on the spot of the anxiety of that
never-ending question we are asked: “What do you want to do when you grow up”;
from the age of 3 onwards. Looking back, I have answered: zoologist,
veterinarian, linguist , pilot, cinematographer, prime minister, taking over a
small family business, nurse, working under the UN, and the list goes on and
on. Later, the concern was not that I did not have any interests but that
I have too many. I am only beginning to see connections to all these world
issues and how we are all connected; but what career is this leading me to?!?
It cannot be a bad thing to acknowledge you have a lot of diverse interests can
it? In this particular case it most certainly seems to be my challenge, I’m
proud to have a tremendous number of doors open, I’m stuck with the dilemma of
which doors to close. How can I ever find a job/career path that balances
aspects of these interests and strengths? I know I am not the only one so I see
the benefit in sharing, especially if it will garner me a better answer to this
impetuous question:
<br />
Trying
to understand how to listen and act to my personal interests has been a
challenge, as it is for so many others. Decision-making changes is an
ever-evolving process. From day to week to month this process ends up
backtracking and building upon itself until we feel enough confidence of one’s
choice. We try so hard to predict the future, but how can we really know what is
our ‘best next step. I read Chris Hadfield’s book <i><a href="http://chrishadfield.ca/videos/an-astronauts-guide-to-life-on-earth/" target="_blank">The Astronaut’s Guide toLiving on Earth,</a> </i>the summer of my graduation, and it could not have been a
more perfect read for my present stage in life. Unlike myself, he was confident
at a very young age that he wanted to pursue a career path towards an
astronaut. His reminders were incredibly helpful and insightful: it is not that
you necessarily have to know what you want to do at any specific time in your
life but establishing overarching goals are important steps that will help lead
you to explore into the general direction or field. It is only through life,
growth, and actively doing things that interest you will in the end, determine
whether you achieve these goals. Alternately, Steve Jobs had said along the
lines of that, “you don’t have to like what you do every day, but if you find
yourself not enjoying your daily activity for some time in sequence, change
something.” As Hadfield had also discussed in a seminar in Ottawa I had the
pleasure of attending, he promotes to “start making decisions today and stick
with them. Decision-making is a skill, and the more you do the better you will
get at it”. Having made it though extreme and endless training, screenings and
then successfully completing two missions in space, I trust that this
individual knows and understands his stuff!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnU9FOjj9gVrTBGCBx6jOMRGQSECSEQOOQzO9QnQ0INgBemFIvCE03rSoO7BY0H1b4ndhdUtz5pUtZLuYevQnLzPthE-kgeIj82pf8FdkxQQFbgPHnIgw5KGsrhJGbmzcHLnk2AaQlgA/s1600/12710834_10153882144823555_1196723461561006357_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnU9FOjj9gVrTBGCBx6jOMRGQSECSEQOOQzO9QnQ0INgBemFIvCE03rSoO7BY0H1b4ndhdUtz5pUtZLuYevQnLzPthE-kgeIj82pf8FdkxQQFbgPHnIgw5KGsrhJGbmzcHLnk2AaQlgA/s320/12710834_10153882144823555_1196723461561006357_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The
experience in Guatemala (see previous posts) while reading Clea Koff’s <i><a href="http://www.thebonewoman.com/" target="_blank">TheBone Woman: A Forensic Anthropologist’s Search for Truth in the Mass Graves of Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo</a> </i>really got me seriously interested in a
career pursuit towards Forensic Anthropology to improving human rights and
justice. But then I soon hit the point of second-guessing seeing how programs
and applications can be strictly limiting to narrow prerequisites for further
schooling. I would have to go back and complete almost in entirety another
undergraduate program. Similarly, with my interest in pursuing a career in
international law, I observed that I have to already have a major in the field.
But how would I have had these passions if it was not for completing Conflict
Studies and Human Rights with the minor in Psychology; a specific focus that a
plain undergrad in law may not have given me.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
Digging
deeper, the pattern of questioning has caused a lot of anxiety. One, is that I
have not been sure how I am going to turn these interests into a career. I
would think that eventually I would have to <i>just</i> pick one, deny all my
other passions to something I am <i>ehh </i>about, and just resign myself to
the incessant feeling of satisfaction or begging for the weekend/days off. I
refuse to live like that! Another reason for anxiety is worrying that there is
something wrong with having so many different interests or something is wrong
with me for not just sticking with what I pick. I worry that all this
questioning is an abnormality, that I am scattered or afraid of commitment, or
that I am self-sabotaging, afraid of my own success. But there are long-term
effects to putting yourself down, which are deeply damaging and the reason is
simple. <i><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/maybe-its-just-me/201601/why-you-might-want-reconsider-putting-yourself-down" target="_blank">When you put yourself down, people believe you.</a></i><o:p></o:p>
<br />
Emile
Wapnick reminds us that it is from our culture where we learn to assign the
meaning of wrong or abnormal to doing many things. It is the idea of destiny or
one true calling, the idea that we each have one great thing we are meant to do
during our time on this earth, and that you need to figure out what that thing
is and devote your life to it. While it may be a good start up exercise, it
limits our youthful curiosity and interests to singular thinking, one
occupation that is your only defining character. You may have listed off five
things but the person may chuckle back at you, “Oh cute, but you can’t be a
psychologist and a violin maker. You have to choose”. Emilie introduce someone
who is just this.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGeBLPpCNLHvLXVchPD5rPdDY7ltWAvN09vP21ehUNPXs2QBk63gZGt1ImQLxxpIaxOAUMUy9Vf2C4BKP94Uq5C2Xn9pTwAAzkNB1ki2bDBflkZq7CUmmCAf2HTjcbnEHgsHjvISuKu4/s1600/10945649_1061964377197168_991429715453374136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGeBLPpCNLHvLXVchPD5rPdDY7ltWAvN09vP21ehUNPXs2QBk63gZGt1ImQLxxpIaxOAUMUy9Vf2C4BKP94Uq5C2Xn9pTwAAzkNB1ki2bDBflkZq7CUmmCAf2HTjcbnEHgsHjvISuKu4/s320/10945649_1061964377197168_991429715453374136_n.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The funny part is the people that I admire most
are those who have experienced what they express as hiccups, experienced many
different fields and jobs and then learned from those experiences. These are
often the same people that end up saying that they wish they would have known
afterwards. Emile reminds us that if there are a lot of different subjects that
you are interested in and many different things you want to do then, no
worries, you are a Multipotentialite. There is indeed room for someone like you
in this framework. You are like the Leonardo Da Vinci’s or Alexander Graham
Bell’s. You are the polymath, the Renaissance person: someone with many
interests and creative pursuits. She points out three ‘superpowers’ which
should embrace as there are a lot of complex, multi-dimensional problems in
this world, and we need the voices of the out-of-the-box thinkers to tackle
them:<o:p></o:p>
1. Idea Synthesis – combining two or more
fields and creating something new at the intersection<o:p></o:p>
2. Rapid Learning – in depth learning of
whatever we can get our hands on and not being afraid beginnings or learning
new things. We bring everything we have learned to every new area we
pursue<o:p></o:p>
3. Adaptability - ability to
adjust ourselves readily to different conditions<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4sZdcB6bjI8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4sZdcB6bjI8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
So this is positive news, but but I remember, all
the knowledge and inspiration with not happen until fits best to us. As <i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-varon/to-anyone-who-thinks-theyre-falling-behind_b_9190758.html" target="_blank">JamieVaron</a> </i>of the Huffington Post puts it: “You are as you are until you're not.
You change when you want to change. You put your ideas into action in the
timing that is best”. That's just how it happens. It is true, sometimes we just
feel like we just need permission to do so. We cannot just conjure up
motivation when you do not have it, we cannot control these factors, but we
just need to deal and live with life in order for those experiences to solidify
into motivation and inspiration, maybe two months, two years or later.
Sometimes you’re not falling in love because whatever you need to know about
yourself is only knowable through solitude or reflection . Sometimes your
sadness encircles you because, one day, it will be the creation upon which you
build your life. Most of our unhappiness stems from the believe that our lives
should be different that they are. We believe we have control and our
self-loathing and self-hatred comes from this idea that we should be able to
change our circumstances, that we should be richer, more attractive, smarter or
happier. You need to see lessons where there are barriers and that you need to
understand that what is right now becomes inspiration and identity later.
Sometimes we are not yet the people we need to be in order to contain the
desires we have.<o:p></o:p>
As an endnote Varon notes, “There is magic beyond
us that works in ways we can’t understand. We can’t game it. We can’t 10-point
list it. We can’t control it. We have to just let it be, to take a fucking step
back for a moment, stop beating ourselves up into oblivion, and to let the cogs
turn as they will. One day, this moment will make sense. Trust that. Give
yourself permission to trust that.”<o:p></o:p>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
Keep Going and Never Give Up!<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pXRviuL6vMY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXRviuL6vMY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Some Music:
<br />
Further Reads:
<br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/05/the-confidence-gap/359815/" target="_blank">The Confidence Gap</a>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-55888514162961845622015-12-10T17:34:00.001-08:002016-01-21T18:01:14.421-08:00Uncovering the Crimes of Others<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzzQQ1smTURvrGX-mFLFPz3K8p99n5hL8jxIidhd7rkYA-dW-D3J8Ardafb3k6WhtLvqrPqyZCioB_5SVtqjVFI4wUiCTet2rf1-jKp10TlLDVCZzYrk7gKjVr9YviSTsPbsvxeRhmPE/s1600/DSCN3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzzQQ1smTURvrGX-mFLFPz3K8p99n5hL8jxIidhd7rkYA-dW-D3J8Ardafb3k6WhtLvqrPqyZCioB_5SVtqjVFI4wUiCTet2rf1-jKp10TlLDVCZzYrk7gKjVr9YviSTsPbsvxeRhmPE/s320/DSCN3268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machette the jungle brush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
November 25: Today was the day to finally uncover the crimes of others. In the process, I have learned what it means to families to finally have something done after the horrible mass crimes of the 36 year civil war. But I also learned that despite the "peace processes" that denounce the violence and call for amends, little is set up to accomplish anything. Despite the international show of reform it is incredibly hard and complicated for victims who have suffered mass atrocities at the hands of their governments to ever feel like there is any sense of justice or closure. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVNOKUx3QtJwPwdSuEzT_OcRr-t2pmojd7de1CU9YFnKhYi1TQ9RbIHkEmSgdKoALjRssHUu1olWoMDdWMohaR09y0ry7z5U7qrum10TUi67xIBbBXWlL9POnd7us-hx4rbfVPb3KBD4/s1600/DSCN3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVNOKUx3QtJwPwdSuEzT_OcRr-t2pmojd7de1CU9YFnKhYi1TQ9RbIHkEmSgdKoALjRssHUu1olWoMDdWMohaR09y0ry7z5U7qrum10TUi67xIBbBXWlL9POnd7us-hx4rbfVPb3KBD4/s320/DSCN3278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orienteering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We leave bright and early in the truck into the mountains. We have all our tools packed and we alternate sitting in the bucket. It is a very bumpy ride! On route, we do stop to eat,at a tin shack overhang where the ground all around was mud. We were a little worried our foreign stomachs may not be able to handle this meal but it ended up being some of the best tamale and fried chicken (perfectly seasoned and crispy) I had ever had. The horchata (rice and cinnamon drink) was exceptionally good as well. After going up some final hills (I did not think the truck was going to make it), we arrive in the area of Silquil where we had been asked to excavate immediately after the two hours of driving. After balancing all the tools and gear we set off with some of the family and the owners of the property who had volunteered to help. The direct family had even farther of a distance to come to meet us. They live in another far distant mountain side, even less accessible costing them far more to travel. All this for a family who has very little money to begin with. It costs them literally everything they have to be here today. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmKgMystEDB7vzQAF9iwSJTobX49X-0dr6iQMGywi0nJimJJqU2xhZbt-THlEsy4QkTg8fvhR-m7Hw3hbReyuqPGtRBpaujUs_sdLHmb7KZhiqjlt44H8obwmUD2oEwwTuabhZRV9K4o/s1600/DSCN3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmKgMystEDB7vzQAF9iwSJTobX49X-0dr6iQMGywi0nJimJJqU2xhZbt-THlEsy4QkTg8fvhR-m7Hw3hbReyuqPGtRBpaujUs_sdLHmb7KZhiqjlt44H8obwmUD2oEwwTuabhZRV9K4o/s320/DSCN3274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family waits</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walk down a steep mountain side and after only 10 minutes the line of people halt with some shouts in Ixchil and Spanish. Apparently we had reached the estimated site already (us girls had all been set to bush-wack for an hour!). With the assisted information from witness testimony and our orienteer, our EFI team get our compasses, locating north and taping off the area. Some local men and a couple family member volunteer themselves to help with much of search digging, and boy, did we end up being grateful with the 6 feet holes we ended up digging. Before, we start with the major digging though, we leave time for the members to give thanks and say prayers. Since the uncovering of the body is for the family, we follow their wishes foremost. Our EFI members remind them this is a safe space, so whatever form of belief or ceremony they wish to follow they can do so without hesitation. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GWUhmQf_gYJjfFbif995tTEsR8zIpjyoTyqUKdKwhEYKJ3s6AYerniE74mc3rLRuS8pW7qGMCjzXNOQy1VwZx13-cBkZEGkJ32j7v4TrLVT65dLFDuNRpNMBBjXMtzkCJ4Z0MiKD3pY/s1600/DSCN3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GWUhmQf_gYJjfFbif995tTEsR8zIpjyoTyqUKdKwhEYKJ3s6AYerniE74mc3rLRuS8pW7qGMCjzXNOQy1VwZx13-cBkZEGkJ32j7v4TrLVT65dLFDuNRpNMBBjXMtzkCJ4Z0MiKD3pY/s320/DSCN3287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interviews</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the local men and us girls take turns digging, Oscar, another member of EFI followed through with interviewing the family. From their standard report, he started off with the most basic information like facial characteristics, any known previous injuries, what he did for a living (so to match indicators of bone wear) in order to gain a profile. As the teeth are part of the major indicators for age, he asks if he could take pictures of some of the families teeth in order to have a relative comparison. One reason, Oscar and other interviewers start off with the most basic information is so that family may feel comfortable, and only then, they begin getting into detail for other clues that will be helpful when presenting the final case to the Reparations Program. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Waz7rKwDmIXgt1HmoTCjtx9uyV_q0Sv_4GQJAcXYy5Oc3GXgY0FL6vvjNxV66hYZKmXhEyC71_merNMVGGv9FOxPzYh_lsxK4ATrbBzCpOGePYKOjgYGlogiKF3WIJ1yCbf16F4Qis/s1600/DSCN3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Waz7rKwDmIXgt1HmoTCjtx9uyV_q0Sv_4GQJAcXYy5Oc3GXgY0FL6vvjNxV66hYZKmXhEyC71_merNMVGGv9FOxPzYh_lsxK4ATrbBzCpOGePYKOjgYGlogiKF3WIJ1yCbf16F4Qis/s320/DSCN3309.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging, Digging, and more digging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So who are we looking for you wonder? Well we were looking for the father of the daughter and nephew who were here with us. During the conflict, people were set in great fear and distrust. The government and the military had friends and neighbours turn on each other. During the conflict, the father had been picked up by the army and forced to be a guide for them in the mountains. After a year he was set free. But when he got back to his hometown, members of the guerrilla movement called him a traitor. But how can you be a traitor when you had to leave your home against your will? Once again, he was torn from his home and his family. Witnesses recall they bound and beat him, stripped him naked and then hung him, leaving him to slowly die. The witness, more recently before he had passed away, had made sure to tell a community member where he knew the man was buried. It was because of his clue that we knew the approximate place to start digging. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIlYGSto1n-iNuhi-wzeSpDQxUvL0xfHs3Z102N5m8Ppx3aoxkMrvlRH1qM0MpH-9q7FHk1x7LBL3cLElc0u2dNcxd9ePUB3if2D7Itt_alim9dYPA2wrHCovEcPVOCwVAFkOoGNvU7c/s1600/DSCN3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIlYGSto1n-iNuhi-wzeSpDQxUvL0xfHs3Z102N5m8Ppx3aoxkMrvlRH1qM0MpH-9q7FHk1x7LBL3cLElc0u2dNcxd9ePUB3if2D7Itt_alim9dYPA2wrHCovEcPVOCwVAFkOoGNvU7c/s320/DSCN3296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There have been many uncovered mass graves that this initiative and others like it have found. But one thing Cristian had pointed out (as it has defined in different genocides), is that the case of Guatemala has defined a mass grave as one containing five sets of remains (in Bosnia and Croatia it was 3). While other initiatives focused on these larger graves, those of murdered family members have not been deemed as important so the cases of one or two are often ignored. That is why the members of EFI have started to put more focus on the these small graves, because these families are just as important. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGabBYWoDUdziCCO9qXwbVLvLocE_jK4bRmZJRz7_WKzix_9-IyaEcMFYXErQWJ9JvwVyyGYXeoC2VBBd76YdfzxNtHnvRfQhQJJTKzYLUTt0oGQF0De8GeWAp8TXITA1e3l2lvwutDeU/s1600/DSCN3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGabBYWoDUdziCCO9qXwbVLvLocE_jK4bRmZJRz7_WKzix_9-IyaEcMFYXErQWJ9JvwVyyGYXeoC2VBBd76YdfzxNtHnvRfQhQJJTKzYLUTt0oGQF0De8GeWAp8TXITA1e3l2lvwutDeU/s320/DSCN3305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Digging straight down around our blocked off area, we began to realized from the colour of the soil that this area was not the right spot. The lighter soil indicated that this area was too dense and had not been disturbed. We began to move further left and right using standard shovels and large hoes. Still no sign. More people had come to watch. We decided to dig up northward. Then all of a sudden, thousands upon thousands of stinging ants came spewing out! It looked like black lava! The soil was moving like water! Someone spoke to us in English that this had to be a good sign (that we were close)! Sure enough, the next thing we spotted was a portion of a Humerus. We halted digging at once. The volunteers carefully moved the large portion of soil around it and then Cristian asked Amanda and Kalista to assist Juan Carlos with the beginnings of the fine brushing process. Similar to archaeological digs, you have to treat everything with extraordinary caution since you cannot risk damaging anything, especially when quality of the bone is all you have in identifying the individual. If you accidentally break something you immediately lose quality of evidence on determining anti-mortem, peri-mortem, and post-mortem of trauma.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7XnjwkEuN9fKMXfWrDGXHvSUIJnRVKlDHByiUHiTRPuGbj_N24C8bCMTeI4AU39LzP2-jQ-4J_pcEefOA5SxJTRVFyY12FqCr6R5sEcADQEK1UimK5nKyYPAZTS3yUyrpF-gLP8VPP8/s1600/DSCN3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7XnjwkEuN9fKMXfWrDGXHvSUIJnRVKlDHByiUHiTRPuGbj_N24C8bCMTeI4AU39LzP2-jQ-4J_pcEefOA5SxJTRVFyY12FqCr6R5sEcADQEK1UimK5nKyYPAZTS3yUyrpF-gLP8VPP8/s320/DSCN3313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uncovering begins: humerous and part of skull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We use fine tools such as small brushes, trowels and sifters to carefully remove the soil around the body, holding loose bones down when brushing around them. There is no sign of clothing, so our witness' accounts seem to match. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSDTXeOgKa1QiP2ESiqLyuMJgbO4mZJGxOU8qPcBo449Waex5zPRlOqmfFRhX9do2k2oqiylqP5MCG63lrDMoDojiMTd8ZH9uZwyDHZxabpHWazciw9g6NhBmN0zDPoFN2ZBcgLSkiD4/s1600/DSCN3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSDTXeOgKa1QiP2ESiqLyuMJgbO4mZJGxOU8qPcBo449Waex5zPRlOqmfFRhX9do2k2oqiylqP5MCG63lrDMoDojiMTd8ZH9uZwyDHZxabpHWazciw9g6NhBmN0zDPoFN2ZBcgLSkiD4/s320/DSCN3331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The emotions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the mean time, I have been recording and taking photos of the process, while doing some sifting, to make sure we do not miss any teeth or small bones. Cristian gets us to switch it up. I continue working around the skull and ribs. Many roots have grown around and through the bones. We cannot pull the roots out, because of the risk of breaking bones, so we cut them with shears. Continuing sweeping and removing the dirt, and trying not to get bitten by the ants, I continue to think about this individual, his family around us, and what he could possibly have done to deserve such a cruel death. "Nothing", I concluded. The horrible reality in conflicts and wars is that reasons for killing and justifications to do so become incredibly shallow and misguided. If only, the persons holding the guns would actually hear out what the other has to say. So many deaths were results of misunderstanding or not being given a chance to explain what was happening. Some incredible raw footage of what was actually happening during the Guatemalan Civil War while the American and Guatemalan government where spewing hate propaganda against so-called Communists (people who didn't even know what Communism was) is located below. I would highly recommend taking a look at “When the Mountains Tremble” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4rG8nmgRw4). One young member of the military of the state was asked why he was in a small village of peasants to kill. He responded he did not know why or for what reason; he was just doing his job. What an all too familiar response. While in the aftermath we call it a horrific atrocity, but at the time it could have been prevented. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMjEE7Ln5Passx72sd-N9tfPIyp4HLoqiadmbcpAEaMrc_tBhixnWR9svCJHyh_wSwTmLxyUXcysNABUA6qOadFqiJB0ydiBdogbE-iUTlNuJDgVZHVh4cmuOycqdpcLUoiOAC6WaNyk/s1600/DSCN3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMjEE7Ln5Passx72sd-N9tfPIyp4HLoqiadmbcpAEaMrc_tBhixnWR9svCJHyh_wSwTmLxyUXcysNABUA6qOadFqiJB0ydiBdogbE-iUTlNuJDgVZHVh4cmuOycqdpcLUoiOAC6WaNyk/s320/DSCN3324.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Steady as she goes'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We get to the point where we had uncovered all of the bones. He was laying in an unnatural kneeling position facing us. We pause again, this time to take official pictures with the case number which will later be sent to the Public Ministry and National Reparations Program. Before us girls got started with carefully removing the bones, the family and onlookers stopped us and thanked us for our work. There is a train of translation from Ixchil to Spanish to English, but the chilling feeling of being at the bottom of a 6 foot hole surrounded by the family members who have been grieving for 35 odd years, is fully felt.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRBSK0S2vWf79_vGg7N8wgHIJUK45LQCYTPn0Uclv8NbxYdQ0o4CUpuI67RhzbME57V9V8LkQt4GbELZjZ0U-vQvbwq3PdeLvTfqSe5FZV3SpWoKqiyhDGXl65rSCylpcEn6i673fWec/s1600/DSCN3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRBSK0S2vWf79_vGg7N8wgHIJUK45LQCYTPn0Uclv8NbxYdQ0o4CUpuI67RhzbME57V9V8LkQt4GbELZjZ0U-vQvbwq3PdeLvTfqSe5FZV3SpWoKqiyhDGXl65rSCylpcEn6i673fWec/s320/DSCN3386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Prayer for the loss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They express, how long they have unfulfillingly mourned the murder and disappearance of their father, uncle and grandfather that they will never get to meet, except for the remains of a naked body that lay there now. They ask why their family like so many were forced apart by much injustice and bloodshed, and for what? Nothing good came out of those 36 years of bloodshed. They continue to thank us and how much it means to know people worlds away care, while so many in their own seem to not. She then apologizes greatly for not being able to provide food or offerings for us, but the distance and money it took to get to this location has left them with very little. I get goosebumps despite the 25 C weather on this November day. While feeling speechless, I respond that it is truly an honour being here today. What had been done to their, and so many others families, is a horribly sickening thing that continues to happen. None of this should have and should never continue to happen. "I hope that with more acts of kindness, respect and justice, the process of grieving will be eased." <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV8BNXZJCANC4hgChdc3RL_qqJX7dFxXaAM6t9BPM13FOHegTAgTSAy_nADtvUlgoAxbycpuOLPKV7BUenxHdj3KgR2Tqk84-_Di4djBvy4dTVVubCbIX9N21V5jGt9O-8KGvQcOHHSw/s1600/DSCN3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV8BNXZJCANC4hgChdc3RL_qqJX7dFxXaAM6t9BPM13FOHegTAgTSAy_nADtvUlgoAxbycpuOLPKV7BUenxHdj3KgR2Tqk84-_Di4djBvy4dTVVubCbIX9N21V5jGt9O-8KGvQcOHHSw/s640/DSCN3329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The on-lookers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We begin to carefully remove the bones from the rest of the soil. With the knowledge that we have as a group have been able to separate the bones left and right. Still snipping away at the roots, the skull is the last to be removed. Oscar takes the bones into individual bags for the different sections. To ensure we have not missed anything, we shift through more soil. We have recovered the body.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw49r2x_f-IlNnx5xVZxLi1_kT-Ghdb99EY6ZA6fZPmnLp7pBBmX5b1rOMRRfdvVzyVvlADXPGmqRF4QqSU1atprEiNaTQfzmj-Ki4xV2wc2XN19QxQFu8mXog1XzTzj6IhLi53uVdbO0/s1600/DSCN3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw49r2x_f-IlNnx5xVZxLi1_kT-Ghdb99EY6ZA6fZPmnLp7pBBmX5b1rOMRRfdvVzyVvlADXPGmqRF4QqSU1atprEiNaTQfzmj-Ki4xV2wc2XN19QxQFu8mXog1XzTzj6IhLi53uVdbO0/s320/DSCN3361.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Steady as she goes': sweeping and categorizing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before we clean up, our members remind the family that the stage of recovery is complete, and that the next stages will begin. These stages may take more time, depending on the duration of the government process. But no matter how long it is going to take they are always welcome to contact us, or to come by the city to see the process. The time when we can finally return the remains and reparations is upon them. We then all pitch in to fill the hole back in. You do not realize how much you have dug until you go fill it back in. I started hearing some giggling from the children. Every time Amanda would say her name, the children would giggle. We wondered why. We found out the next day, asking one of Ixchil men that "amanda" means "home-wrecker" or "mistress". We had a good laugh about that. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9q6b6Ipp-9jH2mh1VJyMv96I4efk5t9EkW1tztiQtBxhcPf3D2yB7O6gMPC1H95UjRJBrLzwbVE6HWuJ-ls4OGEZAmIcSBxOA_4lNg30J5TMKPG1ODxutfJI7ha6IysTkt-j21YPeY8/s1600/DSCN3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9q6b6Ipp-9jH2mh1VJyMv96I4efk5t9EkW1tztiQtBxhcPf3D2yB7O6gMPC1H95UjRJBrLzwbVE6HWuJ-ls4OGEZAmIcSBxOA_4lNg30J5TMKPG1ODxutfJI7ha6IysTkt-j21YPeY8/s320/DSCN3336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncovered and bent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Earlier during the hours of digging, I had given some of the children a jump rope. Having fun trying to communicate non-verbally to start them with jump skip rope, I had remembered I had Canada pins. Showing them on myself of what they were for I offered it to them. Allowing me, I carefully stuck them to their beautifully sewn huipils. I remembered after, what some Guatemalans had thought of Canada, having heard and done much previous research on Canada's diminished reputation on the world stage in the last 9 years. This had included a few Canadians being abducted and murdered from the human rights violating mining work that had been ordered to deploy from Ottawa. With all the gear packed back up, we all headed back up to the truck. Despite the feeling of great satisfaction and relief, leaving seemed to be the hardest part. I felt bad just leaving them, with their remains. The nephew though, was coming with us back to Nebaj, to complete some paperwork as the uncle's birth certificate. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_Z_ee8COXVGKyFjNCdnmgJZMG6PuldtUm_cdiFAdP0siFX40bDW3wW0vLeYt51tIjL3iWc6F9Jc49SsNiDX8CUSFFNKFpznWnw0pm1wUfZJbceaK8hxUKF5heIwdhUKPNMnpxtJG9S8/s1600/DSCN3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_Z_ee8COXVGKyFjNCdnmgJZMG6PuldtUm_cdiFAdP0siFX40bDW3wW0vLeYt51tIjL3iWc6F9Jc49SsNiDX8CUSFFNKFpznWnw0pm1wUfZJbceaK8hxUKF5heIwdhUKPNMnpxtJG9S8/s320/DSCN3408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada pins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The two hours back on the off-roads had was a lot more excitement. Everything was so bright and beautiful. Despite the endless hard work and injustice these families have dealt with over and over, they smiled back as I waved. And that is what is wonderful about human nature, despite all horrible things that others have committed, with just a smile and honest acts of kindness, you can make others days or lives, just that much more positive and optimistic. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxWpq6OglAjEVEkp6lVoW_gkp19wLTd3rHH9aIkO4lZCbHVRevOOk_eoroonhB8aNFM-cDwEc7sLLaJ6iDqd0FMbGXZxSfZkRXOUx7gtTHC-ScDn0PJ8w3PAN-SJNnlqAPh9i-MfaqO4/s1600/DSCN3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxWpq6OglAjEVEkp6lVoW_gkp19wLTd3rHH9aIkO4lZCbHVRevOOk_eoroonhB8aNFM-cDwEc7sLLaJ6iDqd0FMbGXZxSfZkRXOUx7gtTHC-ScDn0PJ8w3PAN-SJNnlqAPh9i-MfaqO4/s320/DSCN3412.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buenos Tardes y Mucho Gracias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-62785439173948470672015-12-05T16:01:00.001-08:002016-01-21T18:09:08.658-08:00Why don't you just asked the people who lived it before making your assumptions? : Centre Cultural Tejidos Cotzal Fair Trade<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span 14.6667px="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">November 23: </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczKzlhhQgRRMduyKK7GG4nKCeZZVB5kmJ-HGjohcmOMxRCSMHZvQRANH997Vq_yTHkPUNjvBymKHyD8Umu7c1ZzuSZQRvHiHIUXg7suBYM2xwmOF54eoQg85bcO6yO92C08eLD4AeZfA/s1600/DSCN3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczKzlhhQgRRMduyKK7GG4nKCeZZVB5kmJ-HGjohcmOMxRCSMHZvQRANH997Vq_yTHkPUNjvBymKHyD8Umu7c1ZzuSZQRvHiHIUXg7suBYM2xwmOF54eoQg85bcO6yO92C08eLD4AeZfA/s320/DSCN3183.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0pchcnIUuf8VsltrhVOnNUd63c27kl0XmjpDPe1BKHFxFavmUTvhPpYKtjZ3y5jrMDGUWVAVlXbsWSN7cRe1xz7eDqzTPtoGceAZB7TktEMRuKgHLMkUPTaOnmhyphenhyphensRchZPunk-vjeZQ/s1600/DSCN3203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0pchcnIUuf8VsltrhVOnNUd63c27kl0XmjpDPe1BKHFxFavmUTvhPpYKtjZ3y5jrMDGUWVAVlXbsWSN7cRe1xz7eDqzTPtoGceAZB7TktEMRuKgHLMkUPTaOnmhyphenhyphensRchZPunk-vjeZQ/s320/DSCN3203.JPG" width="281" /></a><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white=""> </span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our next stop after 'Movimiento de Desarraigados'</span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white=""> was Cotzal to visit some families and what initiative they are working together for their community. Our first stop was what looked like a gated school. In fact, it is an ongoing project for indigenous Widow Weavers affected by the bloody civil war. It is a cooperative and sells handicrafts typical of the Ixil region ( </span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" italic="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">Cooperative Y Venta de artesanias tipicas de la region Ixil</span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">). The project is located in the <a href="http://www.tejidoscotzal.org/" target="_blank">Centre Cultural Tejidos Cotzal Fair Trade </a>building, and within the next year they will have it completed as a place of eco-tourism specifically a place for travellers to stay. We were met by Pedro and two women, one 12 and the other in her late 70s. Pedro was approached by the the two women, who are the founders, to be their spokesperson. For us he translated Ixchil to Spanish. to understand why this cooperative is so important to this community, you have to consider the historical-cultural separations and gender roles held strong in Guatemala. Recall my discussion of the </span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" italic="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white=""><i>machisto and marianismo</i> </span><span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">gender roles which hold men and women in, most often, dangerous positions of aggressive and powerful versus meek and powerless. We have seen this trend around the world, across history. Due to this gender role separation, only men worked with outside and women in the house. And when you lose thousands of men targeted during the war, women are left helpless. They are unable to tend to property or provide for the rest of the family, especially in the rural and isolated areas. So when families lose the males in the family, or are stuck hiding and running away from the violence, women are (I use present tense as this is still a continuous issue around the world) never taught how to live and provide for themselves as the rest of their families left behind. This is what this cooperative attempts to alleviate. They train the local women and provide an avenue for them to make their own money, in a way they can afford. Other than their skill in weaving these incredibly detailed and beautiful materials, they teach each other how to work the land, purchasing seeds, so they can pass it on to the next generations. That is where the eco-tourism is about to come in so travellers can experience 100% locally grown and made products.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Jf-vKJ0457rP0Kz1GbCbX0Oq-NAwWscvE_JsLn_gX-iU6qu3xDXjC03iZMx77byXiO5Qi-JQAyxSjU4JcxSeR55YDNdBdwqq3cqisaj4WwPwRDvK4IoEOPiQjquErRLzPn_0KSPb74Y/s1600/DSCN3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Jf-vKJ0457rP0Kz1GbCbX0Oq-NAwWscvE_JsLn_gX-iU6qu3xDXjC03iZMx77byXiO5Qi-JQAyxSjU4JcxSeR55YDNdBdwqq3cqisaj4WwPwRDvK4IoEOPiQjquErRLzPn_0KSPb74Y/s320/DSCN3184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaving bicycle wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">As the two ladies were setting up their waist weaving, Pedro showed us their other weaving room. It is just about completed, made only out of wood. Inside, I see an alternate weaving mechanism that is home-made and welded with a bike wheel and chain. My inner bike nerd came to life seeing the clever design of reusing. He then shows us where the restaurant, kitchen and shower areas will be. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside the building grows what they call "foreigner tomatoes". </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS91dkR0um2VTuUCnBbiwcYKcqPys3s4UEv_cwuUx5y5tvDsv-krpQfOqYqXbEMfPtluNPfnV8CVzloWkOClTx7AikOob8kWA88_rAING-morBIt_rMsQSdHncMl9wE3rlmyT5uHbK78/s1600/DSCN3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS91dkR0um2VTuUCnBbiwcYKcqPys3s4UEv_cwuUx5y5tvDsv-krpQfOqYqXbEMfPtluNPfnV8CVzloWkOClTx7AikOob8kWA88_rAING-morBIt_rMsQSdHncMl9wE3rlmyT5uHbK78/s400/DSCN3187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaving all this to make a purse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxdLr9J1H32aTTc5FkOw8-gbxvITM_EryrO7uTXsxPQ_HuRSe7K_yCi4MsLzLUcmy5_Xvm_zvhxkP2KeEsbpHeMCDaVfKewtXs_kjS3nW8zHVHx2plvlUxyljhepRHXzoYshIEHhL8E/s1600/DSCN3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxdLr9J1H32aTTc5FkOw8-gbxvITM_EryrO7uTXsxPQ_HuRSe7K_yCi4MsLzLUcmy5_Xvm_zvhxkP2KeEsbpHeMCDaVfKewtXs_kjS3nW8zHVHx2plvlUxyljhepRHXzoYshIEHhL8E/s1600/DSCN3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pedro explains that in order to fully complete the fully functional eco-tourism accommodation they will need to make 70,000 Q ($12,301CAD). The whole point of this vicinity is for there to be another avenue for these women to make and provide services on their own. It is an avenue to teach locals and foreigners the skills of their families and for those who have lost loved ones, of which is incredibly empowering.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQnzVIEllqr2D7inh9bR5ThVbM381eJdR1utBJjVp9FPU2dE_iAHFxeBecR1w9b4Bs4zCXCgctE-ocJYjSsn0BOB9LQABDlGESNRmOG3ILY_Bv4A5XGZnClNwnTgYptOtLD3GnNgTQj4/s1600/12310525_10207191379918563_6645657282166261239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQnzVIEllqr2D7inh9bR5ThVbM381eJdR1utBJjVp9FPU2dE_iAHFxeBecR1w9b4Bs4zCXCgctE-ocJYjSsn0BOB9LQABDlGESNRmOG3ILY_Bv4A5XGZnClNwnTgYptOtLD3GnNgTQj4/s320/12310525_10207191379918563_6645657282166261239_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With these hands: Photo Cred Kalista Sherbaniuk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxdLr9J1H32aTTc5FkOw8-gbxvITM_EryrO7uTXsxPQ_HuRSe7K_yCi4MsLzLUcmy5_Xvm_zvhxkP2KeEsbpHeMCDaVfKewtXs_kjS3nW8zHVHx2plvlUxyljhepRHXzoYshIEHhL8E/s1600/DSCN3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; line-height: 22.08px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-indent: 48px;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxdLr9J1H32aTTc5FkOw8-gbxvITM_EryrO7uTXsxPQ_HuRSe7K_yCi4MsLzLUcmy5_Xvm_zvhxkP2KeEsbpHeMCDaVfKewtXs_kjS3nW8zHVHx2plvlUxyljhepRHXzoYshIEHhL8E/s320/DSCN3200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much time, energy and work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white="">The two women have strung up their weaving from a post to their waist as they kneel. The older lady in Ixchil and Pedro in Spanish tell us a little about herself as she works. The older ladies first husband turned on her and would beat her. She finally mustered up the courage and managed to leave. She later decided she would let herself fall back in love again, only for him to also beat her. She says she has had enough of men now and instead just works. She hand weaves all of the material with the waist belt method. Even all the string she uses she hand dyes from roots and other natural products. They both repeatedly tie individual knots to make the patterns like animals while using pieces of wood to separate the strands to than push it tightly downward towards their stomach. The traditional handmade huipil shirt and skirts you see, will often be the only clothing they wear, because it represents who they are and because it is expensive for them to make and buy. Traditionally the huipil she wears represents who she is and where she is from. You normally can differentiate the differences in huipil depending on one's age; darker colours for older, brighter colours younger. She typically spends around 20 days on a bag she is making now. Spending over 5 hours at a time on her knees she will sell the bag for 60 Q ($10 CAD), once a zipper is added. Our hearts drop to realize how little money that is for the time and effort it takes. In Guatemala, the reality is the manufactures do never have a fair wage, and that is how the government system is set up.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span 14.666666666666666px="" 400="" arial="" baseline="" font-family:="" font-size:="" font-style:="" font-variant:="" font-weight:="" none="" normal="" pre-wrap="" text-decoration:="" vertical-align:="" white-space:="" white=""> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT-gBu3H5xo_9tGTliO9a-WEPZb7oU7CXBn75bjHvRPm8IHRblxrCCly90jIC2OxytQJceq8XA8gnt6dW-C46rJMpO2Hy64RPg0YnPub62tK_aRrV6UGiv6Qn8Wjf6zysEIUfQLwsgjo/s1600/DSCN3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT-gBu3H5xo_9tGTliO9a-WEPZb7oU7CXBn75bjHvRPm8IHRblxrCCly90jIC2OxytQJceq8XA8gnt6dW-C46rJMpO2Hy64RPg0YnPub62tK_aRrV6UGiv6Qn8Wjf6zysEIUfQLwsgjo/s320/DSCN3230.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coffee is Roasting: Katerina and Juana's home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After lunch, Pedro takes us down a steep narrow dirt path to one of the founding women's house. Katerina, an Ixchil woman of around 66 (she is unsure of her certain age). She invites us into her tiny home made of tin and introduces us to her daughter Juana (who is 29) and two children. Throughout our stay I cannot help playing peek-aboo and sharing making with faces with them as they giggle. We sit around a little fire where she begins roasting them over the fire. We are invited to ask questions and as it gets more personal she accepts to tell her story and why they both live without husbands. I offer to her to continue attending to the coffee beans as she goes on to tell of her experiences during the 1960-1996 conflict, and how the struggle for women like her never ended at any Peace Accord and reconciliation.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbP12QqfgAsPhCOai_20zPu4AEs3ok3k9JZKmBYrh8UbXNSz-YS7TOkeL2Fn0bTGexhYc6jOjetqCqYsEDx6w-jzipUqzJamQXfBcVCr_-DB0xBf8oSNUSF7Emy5z9YC3fHnD7Nw11Fo/s1600/DSCN3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbP12QqfgAsPhCOai_20zPu4AEs3ok3k9JZKmBYrh8UbXNSz-YS7TOkeL2Fn0bTGexhYc6jOjetqCqYsEDx6w-jzipUqzJamQXfBcVCr_-DB0xBf8oSNUSF7Emy5z9YC3fHnD7Nw11Fo/s320/DSCN3227.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juana and her daughter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After her brothers and other 62 others were killed, the army came back and told the community where bodies were, but they only had until 10am the next day hours to claim them. most of them who were able to come to retrieve the bodies where the women and children. If that was not traumatic in of itself, the was army was on either sides on order to watching to see if they were crying. If they were caught crying or show any emotions or else they would be labelled as Communists, sympathizers of enemies of the state. If they did not have time to bury their family member in the cemetery they had to bury on own property. She had to frantically collect some wood and nails to make a coffin. Her first husband killed in '81. He was forced to be a civil patroller where he was sent to the mountains. She had actually been with him, collecting crops, collecting </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">milpas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for maize. Then one day, the guerrillas recognized him, and calling him a traitor, pulled her hair, pinned her to ground, and fired the shots.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4sO8oiW6Jq8ZhyphenhyphenMCfZm267_t9tyACACWhH_H8sV9uqYw9YkOJ6dJbylno77DUa8XrfHw1aCsfGEl0cyRCz9PQ5RzsLe5ej-tyGW7tTBNI261UQa9NToFQk-6L3LEYIAtVo-ZAcTsPSc/s1600/DSCN3214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4sO8oiW6Jq8ZhyphenhyphenMCfZm267_t9tyACACWhH_H8sV9uqYw9YkOJ6dJbylno77DUa8XrfHw1aCsfGEl0cyRCz9PQ5RzsLe5ej-tyGW7tTBNI261UQa9NToFQk-6L3LEYIAtVo-ZAcTsPSc/s320/DSCN3214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica is comfy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around this time, between '80-82, the Guatemalan army decided to put up a military garrisons in Cotzal. Everyday, she describes was an endless fire squad. They had then ordered the community (remember mostly just women and children left) to give their food rations to army. If they did not hand over what they deemed a sufficient ration, they would call them Communists: traitors to the state, accusing them of sharing with guerrillas. Then sometime family members would come, the next day, calling them traitors, for sharing with the army. Because of the violence, she decided to run and stay with another family. And when she was finally to able to get a night's sleep, the army decided to show up at other house, burning everything, and killing the chickens.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She then fled to coast because of the danger. Since so many men were gone, farmers started hiring women. But obviously not out of sympathy. Under those conditions, she had to give up all of what was left of her possession, which would mean she was already was owing him. Living in room and board, the women like her, would lie together on the dirt floor. They were given only 6 tortillas a day and had to work 30 days straight. You could not complain or else you were kicked out or threatened to go to another farm which would treat them worse. She explains this as the loneliest year on the coast, unable to be in touch with family. But then she met someone and they fell in love. They had decided to move back to Cotzal but by that time, the army had another military base in a school. The military already had a list of everyone while coercing people to tell them everything. So as a new person, the first thing they did was arrest him in assumption that he was probably a guerilla. The municipality, told her she would have to go to the garrison with proof that they were married. She was terrified, but went because of her husband. The head of the municipality, a military officer, at the time was actually Otto Perez Molina (to be Guatemala's last president ending in September, tried for corruption). At the time nicknamed Tito, he came to welcome her to have a drink with him. Wondering why he was being so kind, she became even more worried from witnesses' warnings that if you are offered a meal you were dead next. Having no other choice, she repeated she was here because she wanted her husband back. He responded that he was proud of her, to have brought a man back to community. "Now", he said, "I will make him a civil patroller with his own group." Just like that, her second husband was recruited without either of their acceptance or real choice. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She ended up following him to the mountains, because he did not know the area or even how to use a weapon. They were both terrified. From '84-86 she said he was recruited as a civil patroller, around the food crops in the mountains. She said the army would take the patrollers there to destroy the crops. Then during one of operations he never came back. She still is not sure if he was killed or escaped. Her daughter Juana was four at the time. They never saw him again.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The only place she felt safe was in the coast, so she worked in coffee fields with Juana on her back. They did not come back to Cotzal till '94. Juana in that time had gotten married, but there was no work nearby, so they decided to move to capital. If you knew how to use a machete, there was some form of security. They were totally broke so Juana’s husband would have to work 73 hours a week. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseOgOC5a1Zuu71n8hmm8OwMjxqqzYk0kgDE3l0QLO4b2ieCSBGvvYkfaBe5c7wu8n8yvPlbebeMjpVf73IS1ZBbJQaw4v8DsfvopQYin_MbRAnAYjvyZwx8N7QXfi0mbnVCimRvJ3X3Y/s1600/DSCN3224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseOgOC5a1Zuu71n8hmm8OwMjxqqzYk0kgDE3l0QLO4b2ieCSBGvvYkfaBe5c7wu8n8yvPlbebeMjpVf73IS1ZBbJQaw4v8DsfvopQYin_MbRAnAYjvyZwx8N7QXfi0mbnVCimRvJ3X3Y/s320/DSCN3224.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek-aboo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then one day in his last hour of that week, the husband was patrolling and he got killed. She was at home, when the public ministry came to tell her he was dead. So she came back home.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The women then showed us 3 photos of him. One family picture and two of him dead. The baby in the picture is the boy who currently playing with her sister., the daughter she was pregnant with when he died. Cristian explains that it is common in some communities to take pictures of the dead in memory.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Katerina, the mother said that she never learned how to weave as a teenager But by '97, learned along with her daughter at around aged 12. That is when they made the decision to be part of the cooperative of weavers. There were 5 women that came together in the community and now there are 45 of them. She notes that they are still poor, and always still owe people something, like the 'owner' of the property that has always been hers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1sOZl9STNHUlhA-tnwE-_2fje2E4k5SoDL7vAWen-SWtcAMxrzPgkKr9mCJcINPxwfMavXppN2WbloaqrEeMpCRKg4Nm9gVSvS_uyS5uMrig0y3wcyID7aHCX8Be4nd4e56t7Y81fG0/s1600/DSCN3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1sOZl9STNHUlhA-tnwE-_2fje2E4k5SoDL7vAWen-SWtcAMxrzPgkKr9mCJcINPxwfMavXppN2WbloaqrEeMpCRKg4Nm9gVSvS_uyS5uMrig0y3wcyID7aHCX8Be4nd4e56t7Y81fG0/s320/DSCN3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole coffee process while hearing their story</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We ask if Katerina and Juana still do not have rights to this property even though this has been here most of all their lives ? The answer was no. There was no paperwork, no death certificate, even from her brothers and first husband. Their goal of these women was that once they had reclaimed the bodies of her brothers, they could receive a death certificate to recognize their ownership to the property. Even though she was told that after they were exhumed she would have access to rights, they still have not been recognized. The only thing they have been able to do is rent from a man, for an exuberant price which continues to hold them back from saving anything. Cristian reminds us that because of this continual </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">machisto </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">society woman continue to have no say. He reminds us that, here in Guatemala, women were not allowed to vote until the '80s, and even those that could prove that they were literate (and note, women in areas are still not valued enough to go to school).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Katerina begins grinding some coffee on a stone amongst the group. She tells us she realized the best way to make money is to cook. The two had saved up for this grinding stone. Before we left, she gave us some coffee. It was delicious, reminding me of chai. She says she adds pepper and cloves. The chirping of a lonely chick and a mewing kitten seemed to express their goodbye as we thanked them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvVlBAlU2sEousAxaEBLlwZgU30Wqw93QdmrUJ7WN1sWjt7HrSxX_329YT-PBX60SX7Wmy5zfwuEwJ30Gi0wqxiloGPU7wuVYs9FD11YtVZIvQPvgWnmw46FA5aQtmetJBrW-T2G_Qf0/s1600/DSCN3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvVlBAlU2sEousAxaEBLlwZgU30Wqw93QdmrUJ7WN1sWjt7HrSxX_329YT-PBX60SX7Wmy5zfwuEwJ30Gi0wqxiloGPU7wuVYs9FD11YtVZIvQPvgWnmw46FA5aQtmetJBrW-T2G_Qf0/s320/DSCN3248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I See You</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pedro said he was taking us to another founding member. He lead us through a muddy patch, in between people’s house shacks , and across a little bridge over rapids. We pass a young girl spinning string with a wooden mechanism. Cristian explains she is making rope. Down the street there is a man lying on the ground fixing his tuk-tuk. We pass a bunch of kids. They are intrigued by us white girls. I raise my camera with an inviting face. Before I raise it to my eye they giggle and duck under a gate. We end up playing this game and making faces as we sit in a house across from them. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We then meet another Petronila. She a very tiny lady, hunchbacked from a life of work and weaving. Pedro our guide, tells us she is nearly deaf and cannot see very well. We sit with her as she tells us her live story.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJYo8qKk5vp1lfUGA67zQe6z3irUrUw9L4L7CxujaiOFN2RdTA53nG9M4ZVFCFNWeQFyB6eFhpr0voxgatM_UttHhzS0jsQM8KbOgEUYlELnLA8YB_vyIuLIFvDROJzYiwrZFOP4LIu4/s1600/DSCN3249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJYo8qKk5vp1lfUGA67zQe6z3irUrUw9L4L7CxujaiOFN2RdTA53nG9M4ZVFCFNWeQFyB6eFhpr0voxgatM_UttHhzS0jsQM8KbOgEUYlELnLA8YB_vyIuLIFvDROJzYiwrZFOP4LIu4/s320/DSCN3249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petronila Son-in-Law</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Petronila, her husband and her three daughters were working outside one day, when the army came. They took them inside, covered their faces and tied them up to chairs like we were sitting in. Then some officers came. They insulted the family and then took her husband. The room we were in was where they spent a lot of time as a family. The husband had made the chair behind us. Now there is a an altar of pictures of them around a cross. The man in one of the pictures was not actually her son , but was married to one of her daughters. He was found dead in one of the military garrisons just a few months ago. They are still waiting to get the remains back. To identify him, they had a picture of him wearing the same cloths. They were able to get his body back. He is now buried in the cemetery. He was her everything. They did everything together. When he had to go to the coast she would come with him, just so they could be together. Under the military control here, everything was with a schedule even for the time you were making meals. They could tell by monitoring the smoke that would come from the pipes. So they had to be very careful, as they were not allowed to have meeting or get togethers. If they were caught, the military would come and burn everything. This was to prevent people from meeting. This was happening in the universities too. In this area universities were infiltrated, even to just have coffee with a couple of friends. They could not even do that.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqsKAzMir7TKIQAVKWn1jF7TDyRC2NQKgFV3dtwamTu3wEaOGfedhlguqjB1m3SYjSUGdwu1fgTYN8zHk1zQqIKsllAwQQdCBRIK-eTyWWE6ctjAPy0xRIMRxrepUYcRJFQpfONpG24E/s1600/DSCN3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqsKAzMir7TKIQAVKWn1jF7TDyRC2NQKgFV3dtwamTu3wEaOGfedhlguqjB1m3SYjSUGdwu1fgTYN8zHk1zQqIKsllAwQQdCBRIK-eTyWWE6ctjAPy0xRIMRxrepUYcRJFQpfONpG24E/s320/DSCN3252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Taken Juana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After they took her husband and her brother in law, one daughter had left to the city, who is still there. But then one night the military came again. This time it was not political, but they were looking for all the pretty girls. They tied them up, and told her they needed her daughter to please them. She cannot remember now how old she was. She still does not know where she is after they took her. It was devastating having her daughter taken away and that she could not do anything about it. The sad thing is she thinks she will never find her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After they took Juana, the conflict got even worse, so she ran to the mountains to hide. Then one day she found a little girl alone, wounded with an infection in her leg. When she found her, the thought somebody must have decided to give her another daughter. So she saw it as a gift because she was not done loving her daughter. So it was up to her to take care of her so she brought her home. She did not know who her parents were, but she decided to call her Juana, like her taken daughter. She could not tell her age because there were no documents. But now she is the grown woman in the other room.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2zCC4P359s5iPByV3znArCxZahpDvL8apjvO4D0u-wO8K1Fcue3RNKvZfWZM4wCRfu7thnbJIxw0m4W7Rpznc9zweAuB6i1_3_HGcxu44C3W9sC_uslL43-jtICB60jKMBKV07rVYb4/s1600/DSCN3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2zCC4P359s5iPByV3znArCxZahpDvL8apjvO4D0u-wO8K1Fcue3RNKvZfWZM4wCRfu7thnbJIxw0m4W7Rpznc9zweAuB6i1_3_HGcxu44C3W9sC_uslL43-jtICB60jKMBKV07rVYb4/s320/DSCN3242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Pedro Walking Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Juana got married not too long ago. She never got married or started a life for herself before because she felt indebted to take care of Petronila. Now she cannot have kids. But Petronila heard of a young couple who just had a child. The father could not care less of keeping it, nor did the mother have the money to provide for the baby. Petronila thought to herself that because all this time that Juana has taken for her and now Juana is going to die alone? That when she decided to contact the girl and then adopted the boy, so when Juana gets old like herself, she will have someone to be with her. "Because," she says, "a child is the one who fulfils your life as a mother."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She decided to name the baby Pedro because it's as if her husband Pedro has come back as the little boy. She says she is old, she is tired. But even through though these two are not her blood, Pedro and Juana brought her the little bit of happiness to her life when everyone else was taken from her.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzB7Ab3rKLtDawr8x5qLRAeCt77nHzzSNYyLYW3kwitDwSIrdb50rYB7bQ2eU3Xk24q40c7rIsfWdtEPdBETZnggwgyjK9eqo4UZBWI8zYdLim4U650Al1smDJ-nJfYF2KNamazJe9yU/s1600/DSCN3258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzB7Ab3rKLtDawr8x5qLRAeCt77nHzzSNYyLYW3kwitDwSIrdb50rYB7bQ2eU3Xk24q40c7rIsfWdtEPdBETZnggwgyjK9eqo4UZBWI8zYdLim4U650Al1smDJ-nJfYF2KNamazJe9yU/s320/DSCN3258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to Work: Petronila</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She then stops Pedro to ask for the time it is because if its 3:30 she has another hour of light to continue working. We see her carrying a chair for herself as she hobbles out and sets herself up to weave. She is working on a beautiful red cloth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have never been so humbled and certain to make a purchase as I did for some items from them. They are incredible and the most durable scarves, bags and clothing I have seen! I invite you now to look into them. Open for group shipping or a place to visit on your next stay to Guatemala!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b49a75a-7461-8378-c32b-ce8a6cb0fdea"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Centre Cultural Tejidos Cotzal Fair Trade:</b><a href="http://www.tejidoscotzal.org/" style="font-weight: 400;">www.tejidoscotzal.org</a> ; tejidoscotzal@gmail.com</span></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-16773054049588097032015-12-03T13:10:00.002-08:002020-12-03T09:12:51.150-08:00'Movimiento de Desarraigados' and the Crippling Effect of Corruption<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5YK_PRHXw55W_pQBnYKAT6SgCEy69QAo3l2LhxKksOAVQ9gV_7bwY8QhYdcb6Tq6y07EQ2CBLIKmXpJI_5ASXoqevd_2k0fn8NIeywh-yYtPdEYu27ItVxyANIfkLGJozzn73jQ7Lls/s1600/DSCN3179.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5YK_PRHXw55W_pQBnYKAT6SgCEy69QAo3l2LhxKksOAVQ9gV_7bwY8QhYdcb6Tq6y07EQ2CBLIKmXpJI_5ASXoqevd_2k0fn8NIeywh-yYtPdEYu27ItVxyANIfkLGJozzn73jQ7Lls/s320/DSCN3179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morning visit in Nebaj</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>November 23: </b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jGqukxetmfljoCm41kpGzqoQqG-MZHPDIewYWA0uTa0NBh055fg7fGytJNnuSyDGUqTd_Kr5wyfdUDcRbwenSFq-s8za7EI2_46ixIakCoHr3UJzV7EEcpnM-QGh-nLYP0LaQWUkGdw/s1600/DSCN3173.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jGqukxetmfljoCm41kpGzqoQqG-MZHPDIewYWA0uTa0NBh055fg7fGytJNnuSyDGUqTd_Kr5wyfdUDcRbwenSFq-s8za7EI2_46ixIakCoHr3UJzV7EEcpnM-QGh-nLYP0LaQWUkGdw/s320/DSCN3173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fredy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
In the
morning, our first stop in Nebaj was meeting the team at <a href="http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/guatemala/peacebuilding-organisations/mdnq/" target="_blank">'Movimiento deDesarraigados' </a> (Organization of the Displaced) with which the organization I am with, <a href="http://www.efiforense.org/efi/" target="_blank">Equipo Forense Interdisciplinario </a>(EFI) partners in this field region. The organization was first created
before the '96 Peace Accord. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Their first goal was to claim back what lands
citizens in the area had been lost. Following this was to find people that were
lost and taken. Since the other members only spoke <i>Ixchil</i>, there was
some double translating. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Fredy spoke the most during our stay as he was fluent
both in his native tongue and Spanish. Cristian as always, was our translator.
Fredy, like the individuals he serves, lived through the atrocities of the
conflict, being 12 years old when he escaped to the mountains. He is now the
economic coordinator, dealing with the politics of the limited amount of money
that goes in and out of the organization. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He notes that in the last years the
finances have gotten worse. This organization, like Blanca Hernandez's <a href="http://famdeguagt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">FAMDEGUA</a>, is
greatly affected the international cuts and removals due to the continuous
corruption of Guatemala. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Anna<i> </i>helps with the legal aspects for families
in seeking helping finding their missing to applying for the reparations that
are supposed to be granted. The first things these families need is personal
identification who they are looking for to the organization <a href="https://www.renap.gob.gt/" target="_blank">RENAP</a> when
Guatemalans must go to register for birth and death certificates. the problem
with this, is many from the rural communities living during the conflict, never
received identification. <span style="text-indent: 36pt;">She says she does not stop until these families get
their reparations. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The third individual is Gabriel of which we are honoured to
be in the field with. He is the orienter as he knows these mountains inside
out. He conducts the first interviews with families for descriptions of where
the remains might be buried. He then scouts out the geography where he believes
the remains are buried.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglijue0c_f6xu2Z0KPxriVjmGmQROtM0kVVP3bx_-KrlYdR-xqQ6prPee-4HMyHZivNcT3Quxd8AGZGJRs0aCJdZIsxhagJ-c4A8oBD2Vp1TuIMsCh1pGqOLl5X7NCvcke1-PwgD7epmU/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglijue0c_f6xu2Z0KPxriVjmGmQROtM0kVVP3bx_-KrlYdR-xqQ6prPee-4HMyHZivNcT3Quxd8AGZGJRs0aCJdZIsxhagJ-c4A8oBD2Vp1TuIMsCh1pGqOLl5X7NCvcke1-PwgD7epmU/s320/DSCN3175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Anna</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
During the
discussion with these three members, we discussed some of the main setbacks which limit them from providing effective and successful support for their community.
In the initiative's infancy, the main question was 'how do you
coordinate and organize people to approach the State when you are hiding in the
mountains with no power or roads?'</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> The first step was to empower the
communities so that the silence could come to an end. The goal remains to approach
every single form of government in order to show how
important reconciliation work is in order to influence long-term social healing and progress. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">To some extent, after the Civil
War, they were able to get access to a military garrison where "our people
were tortured". The </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">organization, comprised of locals no different from their community members they try their best to support, still are waiting for answers from the government.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Especially Civil War cases like this, they wait till all the family members are available to be a part of the uncovering process. As EFI member Juan Carlos reminds us, he had never experienced the trauma of the civil war while coming here as a scientist to do his job. He reminds us that we must never forget that we are all humans. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">He says many people including professionals tend to push this aspect out of the way or to separate themselves from the family and the work of uncovering bodies. Even though you are dealing with bones and uncovering remains, you should not think less of these people. This is especially important for the family members you are doing this for. Even though it may be difficult, at first, to work when they may want to be all over the excavation site, you must be understanding, leave time for their prayers or ceremonies, but most of all to work together.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Particular in the remote and rural areas, the interview processes towards a forensic anthropological exhumation with EFI, must take
into consideration the language barriers and language that is lost in
translation. This is the case even for native Spanish speakers because there
are many dialects and Mayan languages. That is why the forensic anthropologists in the field, bring a colour
scale to ensure an accurate description when interviewing
family members for both searching for the unmarked grave location and in identifying the remains. Not only do you need to ensure the right understanding, but you must also ensure cultural sensitivity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissZWOdqDrlVFUSj51Dw-fEqjEvJ4QXQb2iCZgUh3dQiGoN825AGpMv4L4Lz8HydjWhxA2gzHETUQUnWEtWDyOsNO74Ss9VeuwiBB14Et6d9kPnGwps_HhvhgcjYI6zC9QqwzL80TK80k/s1600/DSCN3174.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissZWOdqDrlVFUSj51Dw-fEqjEvJ4QXQb2iCZgUh3dQiGoN825AGpMv4L4Lz8HydjWhxA2gzHETUQUnWEtWDyOsNO74Ss9VeuwiBB14Et6d9kPnGwps_HhvhgcjYI6zC9QqwzL80TK80k/s320/DSCN3174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gabriel and Juan Carlos</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
They reminded us that governments and aid workers cannot
forget that even when the remains are back to the family, there are scars that
cannot heal unless helped to mend. <span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Initiatives must consider these issues and
thus follow through to the end. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Like Indigenous peoples within Canada, they understand that the root to so much modern violence is the result of undiagnosed and unsupported post-traumatic stress these families continue to suffer with and alcohol as a coping mechanism. They say, that is why initiatives like </span><a href="http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/guatemala/peacebuilding-organisations/mdnq/" style="text-indent: 36pt;" target="_blank">'Movimiento deDesarraigados' </a><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> assist the families till the end; they
know the reconciliation process is not set up for actual assistance. </span></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The
organizers emphasize they will be there </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">before </i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">to help break the silence, they are
there </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">during </i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">to help with documentation and legal process for the
exhumation and to be able to mourn in dignity. They then make sure they are
there </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">after </i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">the bodies are found. This is not only because it takes
months if not years to process and get confirmation currently from the Guatemalan government for
small amount of reconciliation fees, but also because there is very little
support or initiatives helping with psycho-social and mental health issues.
Despite what little funds they have themselves, they do not charge families,
while helping assist with transportation to the city offices for documentation
processes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fredy says the organization does not care if individuals were in the army, guerrillas, or
civil patrollers, they give no favours if they committed crimes even though
they cannot deny 97% were ordered by the government.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;">One of the
girls on my team asked if this work was their therapy since they've experienced the
same trauma. </span></blockquote></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">"Our work makes us <u>stronger</u><u>,</u> even if
we cannot find or take back what happened to our friends and family, we can at
least use our emotion to help others," Fredy answered, similarly to <a href="http://empathyandequalitymatters.blogspot.com/2015/11/keeping-them-safe-interview-with-norma.html" target="_blank">Norma</a> and <a href="http://empathyandequalitymatters.blogspot.com/2015/11/strength-and-determination-interview.html" target="_blank">Blanca</a> (refer to previous posts)."<span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We all have experienced loss and
trauma." </span></i></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He uses the example of families affected by the 9/11 Twin Towers
tragedy of people who still cannot find family members, who have
no sense of closure, and are still putting candles at Ground Zero. <span style="text-indent: 36pt;">He adds,
what about the First Nations in Canada and all the missing persons from the
past to today. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Guatemala has made November 1st a commemoration of Day of the Dead, a
day for paying tribute and memory to their deceased loved ones at the cemeteries,
thousands of people have no grave to go to. But if you do not know where they
are buried, the family cannot be at peace. They have had 80-year-old woman
begging them to help find their loved ones so they can have a proper burial for
them before they die themselves.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKhEtUkICjikZrl-inuW16mGYMCelydHYlOizk152SL3IvitSkjgypUu4IiJ45JMrd95CqbBP2wlIyqWbnQ4J9PWJR1ZyAz6Nm_ftcWtpIABW2W2fO5p1012cpDWM9kkRNafzhFufiAc/s1600/DSCN3108.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKhEtUkICjikZrl-inuW16mGYMCelydHYlOizk152SL3IvitSkjgypUu4IiJ45JMrd95CqbBP2wlIyqWbnQ4J9PWJR1ZyAz6Nm_ftcWtpIABW2W2fO5p1012cpDWM9kkRNafzhFufiAc/s320/DSCN3108.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A lost and murdered loved one</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
Locating
bodies are always difficult despite clues from interview processes where
witnesses may remember vaguely where the victim was last seen. But
because of so many missing, disappeared and displaced during the Civil War era,
the odds are that victims can be buried anywhere. That is why when citizens
find out that an exhumation is about to take place, the excavators will have a large audience of families, just in case it may be another's family
member.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy0G9LZebUj-0pjoqL4jgzYiTIyUmwtx9GELH-JSBHPuzLNXJH5X1BNHTc_FLh5nODU2U3Tf-4tGERz4vNpOO1kOrubaEnjG03isjIE-fFKmsYeCU5_HneiUDturxfyhuEdlfmOJGkDo/s1600/DSCN2506.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy0G9LZebUj-0pjoqL4jgzYiTIyUmwtx9GELH-JSBHPuzLNXJH5X1BNHTc_FLh5nODU2U3Tf-4tGERz4vNpOO1kOrubaEnjG03isjIE-fFKmsYeCU5_HneiUDturxfyhuEdlfmOJGkDo/s320/DSCN2506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Justice and Genocide</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Fredy says the major
contemporary setback since the international and national community
agreed during the '96 Peace Accord to provide reparations to those who have
suffered and lost members during the Civil War, is that these funds have barely
been seen. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">From the 1996 Peace Accord, the international community had set out some 300 million Quetsales
for the National Program of Reparations under the responsibility of the
Guatemalan government. There were supposed to be five major active programs
including the investigation of genocide,
taken land claims, development, housing and hiring psychologists. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Unfortunately, so much of these apparent funds have gone missing says Fredy. What housing
that has been built were discovered by some building inspections that they were
not even proper to live in. Programs are still doing their part and sending
proposals in search of funding, but still the citizen created initiatives are
not seeing any improvement but rather a decline since the 19 years since the
Accord.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
If this is
not frustrating enough for those who are already working with no form of payment to
help these victims, the Guatemalan government's existing reparations and
justice application processes are extraordinarily unattainable for those they were
set up for in the first place. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">As I now have heard the inside of the
hard-working initiatives of Movimiento de Desarraigados, EFI, INACIF,
FAMDEGUA, and Fundacion Sobrevivientes, they are all struggling continuously
with these unattainable processes. With fee after fee, miles of extra
transportation, limited access and time to assist these victims and their
families, people begin to feel helpless and hopeless. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">The Public Ministry and
the National Reparations Program expect monthly reports from these forensic
anthropologists, archaeologists, lawyers, and/or psycho-socialists who are
assisting the families. The extent to which these reports are demanded is
limiting to their work and efforts on further investigation progress, losing
weeks to months, and in cases years need to complete the final stages of the job. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">This, in of itself, Freddy and Cristian describe as another form of genocide by
halting the process and making it inaccessible for the victims. By waiting for
these people to die, the government does not have to give out the money. Using
these discouraging methods the victims begin to lose hope, or to just not
bother because they cannot afford the time and money, meanwhile continuing to
live in fear and pain. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I wonder if the international community that involved
themselves do not care to follow through, just how their money and effort is
being spent. Do they ever talk to the individuals and organizations directly
affected?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx8i6U3sf3GDlCyCzuIKTmVJRU8DLrDEYyb9_ZoIXMl7i4117zPnbMDTzBetzX7ql04NJRoNb3HMXbz6rVMjF1UltsLaif_KAWI8g063ghAFmBAfVOFTItGhdXL4u-AN0VVRhtZIxuhM/s1600/IMG_20151130_110037.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx8i6U3sf3GDlCyCzuIKTmVJRU8DLrDEYyb9_ZoIXMl7i4117zPnbMDTzBetzX7ql04NJRoNb3HMXbz6rVMjF1UltsLaif_KAWI8g063ghAFmBAfVOFTItGhdXL4u-AN0VVRhtZIxuhM/s320/IMG_20151130_110037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Basta Ya protesting outside Cultural Palace<br /><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
Here,
much more so than other countries, it is understood you can buy out crime in
any aspect of life. One of the first things done, is getting out of paying
taxes. No one seems to be able or has the inclination to go after the nationals,
not until the recent establishment by the international community of the
International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala. As mentioned above, the
Guatemalan organizations that I was able to meet with are facing the
consequences of the systemic political corruption, many of their critical
funders are leaving the country, such as Embassy of Holland and next year
Norway, because they are seeing no progress.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1j-qsmE-XQbHupyClBadnQPEHXEGI7F7x_E3P4v9br1Sngh7gUGi-AueRrYXhALYu-V2yvNe0JSClmI-TX3QjtQrDvHPhP8bqdCPrCnfpl_tLnOSew-QbQ7BNj8MYv3KeC687dkylgc/s1600/ECH3310+Case+Study.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1j-qsmE-XQbHupyClBadnQPEHXEGI7F7x_E3P4v9br1Sngh7gUGi-AueRrYXhALYu-V2yvNe0JSClmI-TX3QjtQrDvHPhP8bqdCPrCnfpl_tLnOSew-QbQ7BNj8MYv3KeC687dkylgc/s320/ECH3310+Case+Study.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Karli Zschogner, 2014</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Vo7Sd9ESBPzMydxqUYJ34KFD9-zzTE70fGTohbTu6YrjR9tikF_guHtGXfAabpaWUW2_QFe304NCHJ5zeAPt4sOb7LOXpl5RupwYtLM1smsQF-ULcjBM9EOqU25jSKUGozSvzIyNHU/s1600/DSCN2498.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Vo7Sd9ESBPzMydxqUYJ34KFD9-zzTE70fGTohbTu6YrjR9tikF_guHtGXfAabpaWUW2_QFe304NCHJ5zeAPt4sOb7LOXpl5RupwYtLM1smsQF-ULcjBM9EOqU25jSKUGozSvzIyNHU/s1600/DSCN2498.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>I had the
opportunity in my undergrad to study indicators, the effects of corruption and
what the international initiatives have done to promote greater transparency.
One of cases within the fifteen former USSR countries where I
asked: “With this consideration it was asked, does a perceived high level of
corruption of a state also correlate to a loss of freedom of civil liberties
for these independent former Soviet states?” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">The variables of the <a href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/guatemala" target="_blank">Freedom House</a>
Index focus on political rights as an electoral processes, participation, and
functioning of the government, and also civil liberties as surveys of freedom
of expression, organizational right and personal autonomy. The index measures
‘freedom’ of states on a scale from 1 through 7. The scores of perceived
corruption the <a href="http://www.transparency.org/country/#GTM" target="_blank">Transparency Index</a> range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), and include the
measurement from surveys of perceived legitimacy, petty corruption, bribery
within politics, and the limit on access. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">From graphing the scores from these
two databases I confirmed that there is a correlation between the two
variables. In other words, it was found that less civil liberties and political
rights available within a country were present where there is greater perceived
corruption. Where there is higher perceived corruption there is also evidence
that the sense of legitimacy in their government is low and where civil unrest
grows. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Even though it is incredibly useful to compare country cases to grasp a
fuller understanding, you can never fully get accurate, realistic, and useful
findings to put into practice until you factor in all of that country's, history,
culture, geography, values or connections, of which many cannot do unless
having lived in it and among its population for a long time. For example in the
case between Estonia and Uzbekistan, what is evident is that it is almost
impossible to buy foreign currency at the official exchange rate in the banks
of Uzbekistan. This is why the black market was the only available source where
people could acquire foreign currency (Urinboyev; Svensson, 2013, pg. 377). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe then, if it is common in that country for police not to take an investigation into the black market or politicians deal with bribes, it is seen
as normal and therefore citizens will not see any difference and will not
proceed to prevent it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Vo7Sd9ESBPzMydxqUYJ34KFD9-zzTE70fGTohbTu6YrjR9tikF_guHtGXfAabpaWUW2_QFe304NCHJ5zeAPt4sOb7LOXpl5RupwYtLM1smsQF-ULcjBM9EOqU25jSKUGozSvzIyNHU/s1600/DSCN2498.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Vo7Sd9ESBPzMydxqUYJ34KFD9-zzTE70fGTohbTu6YrjR9tikF_guHtGXfAabpaWUW2_QFe304NCHJ5zeAPt4sOb7LOXpl5RupwYtLM1smsQF-ULcjBM9EOqU25jSKUGozSvzIyNHU/s320/DSCN2498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Justice is like a snake, it only bites the Barefoot"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
From what I
can conclude from the many experts and people who have lived among such
impunity, <i>if you want to combat international corruption and atrocities, you have to internationally hold governments
accountable through monitorization of those who do not respect universal human
rights. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">As marked in the <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/7/10/what-are-the-10-stages-of-genocide" target="_blank">10 stages to genocide</a>, when governments and leaders use their power to tell citizens they must
join one force or die (this includes what we have seen through humanity's
history once we have labeled individuals as enemies as Communists, guerrillas,
homosexuals, terrorists) these are grave warning
signs that the worst indeed is about to happen.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">To the international
community, young or old we must act to ensure this force is de-legitimized and
punished. For what I have seen, the worst thing you can do to someone is put
them in a position that jeopardizes their life or their family's if they
refuse to cooperate. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">One can use these situations to easily predict mass
atrocities where civilians become the perpetrators. You cannot make humans
choose between their and their family's life and safety. Fear creates monsters;
it the worst psychological torture you can put someone through. </h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGb_Osg4C4NtZny_yiZr7pGZ58B_gVlF9OgnhOeO2k08ospgKw61L9VwAE-zCpHoxSp5-uUYuwBqfQevn-m7swFifi1Embtpe55pala20KUtAuhcuUleEPYdjwBnxeWWAwUrQy_Ryxzo/s1600/DSCN2485.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGb_Osg4C4NtZny_yiZr7pGZ58B_gVlF9OgnhOeO2k08ospgKw61L9VwAE-zCpHoxSp5-uUYuwBqfQevn-m7swFifi1Embtpe55pala20KUtAuhcuUleEPYdjwBnxeWWAwUrQy_Ryxzo/s320/DSCN2485.JPG" width="240" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />"Even though I am not coming back to see you <a href="http://etimologias.dechile.net/?acracia" target="_blank">Acracia</a> (anarchy) [Democracy] will prevail"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />I guess that is
why governments, armed groups and other civilians across the world and across
history have used this tactic, as it will quickly disperse their own
responsibility, and aligns the justifications for their actions they are about
to commit. Just consider the aftermath of the Holocaust, Rwanda, child
soldiers, the Cold War, and in this case, the creation of Guatemala's Civil
Patrollers forced to capture, murder, and rape their own neighbours.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Before we left, Fredy reminded
us that we were welcome back anytime and welcomes anyone who is interested in
these issues. This is a multidisciplinary issue and therefore important to
have multidisciplinary academic and skill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Please See Also:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://fsi.fundforpeace.org/rankings-2015" target="_blank">Failed States Index 2015</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.usip.org/publications/truth-commission-guatemala" target="_blank">Guatemalan Truth Commission</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://sheilapeters.com/tag/movimiento-de-desarraigados-del-norte-de-quiche/">http://sheilapeters.com/tag/movimiento-de-desarraigados-del-norte-de-quiche/</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gtbastaya/" target="_blank">Guatemala BASTA YA</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.inacif.gob.gt/" target="_blank">INACIF</a></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-2404360938705290962015-12-01T11:47:00.000-08:002015-12-01T12:02:12.670-08:00The Road to Nebaj, Guatemala<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyLqqxD4vJIUi_o530y5KO0BPq9MziZ5O8iqosjMu6YmQczSAfXkJyb9YpOBBTrTtuSQogrX_PMsNnQjbmHOIPpwmtZvL-0gXYY1B9RsOf0BCvGzzliGzLuiHPtGenYnEPEqBKIHjbX4/s1600/DSCN3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyLqqxD4vJIUi_o530y5KO0BPq9MziZ5O8iqosjMu6YmQczSAfXkJyb9YpOBBTrTtuSQogrX_PMsNnQjbmHOIPpwmtZvL-0gXYY1B9RsOf0BCvGzzliGzLuiHPtGenYnEPEqBKIHjbX4/s320/DSCN3142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend's Guatemalan Symphonic Metal band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WinterNightGt" target="_blank">Winter Night</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>November 22<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After an incredible evening experiencing Guatemala's metal scene with my friend's band Winter Night, the trek to Nebaj was our first adventure into the field for body excavation.
Driving up and around the mountain cliffs, Kalista and I 'volunteered as
tribute' to ride in the truck's bucket amongst the tarped gear. Through the
sun, we stopped on the side of the road for roasted corn with salt and lime,
and then raw sugar and cocoa bars. Before we entered San Carlo for lunch, the
rain came so we ducked under a tarp trying not to get too wet, giggling all the
while. Just a little fun for the farm girls. We couldn't hide under the tarp
too long or else the mix of lack of oxygen and exhaust fumes started getting to
us.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUqO6GdiGpvfoBOGcsdMZsdyHplOaXIT5y24xPB_Qf5x9zvKf_u8Yzp1ErDo8wYn4cdcpmK7VhQmWLwGf3Oew6WjFZ1_4U8wH6vHCd0kLtSseI1Xq7_FzeVmxwudn4wpf_aLdm3uEoIE/s1600/12243329_10156282831165080_6801418063210750240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUqO6GdiGpvfoBOGcsdMZsdyHplOaXIT5y24xPB_Qf5x9zvKf_u8Yzp1ErDo8wYn4cdcpmK7VhQmWLwGf3Oew6WjFZ1_4U8wH6vHCd0kLtSseI1Xq7_FzeVmxwudn4wpf_aLdm3uEoIE/s320/12243329_10156282831165080_6801418063210750240_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm going up the country, babe do you wanna go? I'm going to some place I've never been before."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The mountainous landscape truly is incredible, especially when you start to
see some rushing rapids and men with mules on the cliffs. Passing the little villages
with skinny stray dogs running aimlessly
along the roads, while travellers on foot with large bags of wood, food or
laundry, you realize how isolated it would be for these poorer families. How much do you think these individuals have
seen of their country, knowing that gas and transportation is so very expensive
for most people here. Motorcycles, mopeds, tuk-tuks, and 'chicken buses'
spewing black smoke are what options majority of travellers have. If you have a
vehicle, most always you have extra
travellers, crammed in the back amongst other luggage.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIbNp90gQ757KVSO-ZM21FPuz0Yg6mCejCCTKJX-sdQsjsFmt3Z7fsA-KYYD_TpqaJ5kNdM3mJEPmpiIYTI7s0fX03vBw0gG4LoVvt8IDtXLwYH4x5MAPdBLSoa4Uw8fBsl19f5lzpIA/s1600/12274511_10207191374998440_4253578276167690479_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIbNp90gQ757KVSO-ZM21FPuz0Yg6mCejCCTKJX-sdQsjsFmt3Z7fsA-KYYD_TpqaJ5kNdM3mJEPmpiIYTI7s0fX03vBw0gG4LoVvt8IDtXLwYH4x5MAPdBLSoa4Uw8fBsl19f5lzpIA/s320/12274511_10207191374998440_4253578276167690479_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the Mountains: Photo Cred: Kalista Sherbaniuk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our accommodations for the week, is open concept with courtyard
and a fountain. A rooster Is tied up near Erica and I's room, so for me at
least, it is a bit homely, despite the 4am cockle-doodle-dooing every 20
minutes or so. After experiencing the ice cold shower, we pleasantly found out
at specific times during the evening the hot water comes on. It is actually a big
treat for us as back at EFI base in Guatemala City is hot water free (or shall
I say hot water-less. It works for me, as apparently I am a record fast
showerer). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is also very interesting finding out the very different
comfort levels my team members seem to be experienced with. When some say they
were born and raised in the city, they seem to mean it. For me to what is 'no
biggy' or nothing new, to others rural life and bushing it, with limited
resources or facilities, is a big deal for some. Of that, I remind myself to be
mindful, patient, understanding and supportive to those who may not be used to
being adaptable. :)</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr21KqJJ9w0W0gn3zZ3Fd1fOZaYVxevVfOWpd4Eb_SA2JWhR7m8po2Pipr5l7-J1s6MLMrBfkV2wRbalYKEgFnj-7UlQyZ3D6HusyyMqr-3VC1hgXAED0vzC2DqZDF9GjF6NEsFrfhKpY/s1600/nebaj-map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr21KqJJ9w0W0gn3zZ3Fd1fOZaYVxevVfOWpd4Eb_SA2JWhR7m8po2Pipr5l7-J1s6MLMrBfkV2wRbalYKEgFnj-7UlQyZ3D6HusyyMqr-3VC1hgXAED0vzC2DqZDF9GjF6NEsFrfhKpY/s320/nebaj-map1.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guatemala City to Nebaj by Toyota Truck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some, the meals of chicken, beans, plantains, eggs and
rice is becoming a bit much, but it is interesting experiencing the most minute
of uniqueness of preparation. For myself, I try to put into perspective that this is the staple diet for most all
Guatemalans of which probably never experience much else, nor do they mind. As
you may experience me vent later, there is a great underlying agricultural
issue around the limited variety of crops they can harvest thanks to corrupt
land owners and larger corporations.</div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-9585806791558543242015-11-18T19:22:00.001-08:002015-11-18T20:23:45.100-08:00Strength and Determination: Interview with Blanca Hernandez of FAMDEGUA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">November 9 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Today seemed incredibly themed, or the Guatemalans
were trying to prove a point to me.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SVLSkgf857EqeeX7_0gQrM4-tBbiSCJyhYl1qmG2VYVphcwIYQ4Ta_1ZYCKuFCWkYjduxK-WEpMUU_188RvmCw3-EWCrJcz-Zh4kz_NqHDtDsKCOkR8Q-AwPK9BBgVStNLUE5jLuRFw/s1600/12242320_10153148437126109_1033969001_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SVLSkgf857EqeeX7_0gQrM4-tBbiSCJyhYl1qmG2VYVphcwIYQ4Ta_1ZYCKuFCWkYjduxK-WEpMUU_188RvmCw3-EWCrJcz-Zh4kz_NqHDtDsKCOkR8Q-AwPK9BBgVStNLUE5jLuRFw/s320/12242320_10153148437126109_1033969001_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanca and Cristian, her son Oscar in the fireman hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bright and early, we got invited to talk to a
Guatemalan women who, like so many individuals, has gone through hell and back
and yet still has the strength to give her will to others like her. She was
gracious enough to tell us, and the others around, her story even though the
wounds reopen every time she talks about it. Blanca Hernandez, now 68, is the
creator of the <a href="http://famdeguagt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Association of the Families of the Detained and Disappeared ofGuatemala</a> (since 1992) (FAMDEGUA). It is a non-governmental, humanitarian and solidarity
organization which focuses on cultural and educational services to those who
still have no sense of closure. There are no other services offered. In
Guatemala, in addition to the over 200,000 who died during the Civil War, there
are over 46,000 who forcibly "disappeared". </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many of them were
tortured and killed; tongues, fingers and nails cut off. Guatemala also has the largest number of victims of
forced or other forms of disappearances in all of Latin America. These victims
were not limited to one group but to anyone who was deemed, at the time, a
threat: peasants, indigenous, farmers, community leaders, students, professors,
doctors, veterinarians, political leaders, children.....</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The room where we sit down with her is filled with
pictures of the disappeared. As she describes them,(and I filming) we learned that all of them
just wanted a safer, more just Guatemala. A photo of her son Oscar is on the
bottom row in between all the others. He was involved in his local community, a
volunteer firefighter, and wanted a better Guatemala. And for that he was
taken. He was 22 when he disappeared. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Her fear is that she will die without
finding her son.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge2cn2xrbWuXxuj0dcjuoeWyYzK_8SB1autMXYexPV9bLs3gLBQfmGaR2yb5aduM1F4Cde7YphEd7ON536ERI262NQzCfdjM6zHF_IioZfyZu_ojd4My4-CmPRCBUT1ugHDM5jO9vcxA/s1600/DSCN2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge2cn2xrbWuXxuj0dcjuoeWyYzK_8SB1autMXYexPV9bLs3gLBQfmGaR2yb5aduM1F4Cde7YphEd7ON536ERI262NQzCfdjM6zHF_IioZfyZu_ojd4My4-CmPRCBUT1ugHDM5jO9vcxA/s320/DSCN2484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The things those eyes have seen: Blanca Hernandez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Blanca explained to us that, "Our goal was to
create this organization even though there was a lot of oppression in this country.
It was a dangerous thing to do. We did it because our goal, at that moment, at
that time, was to find our sons, our family members, alive. This was a really
hard time. Some of our members were tortured, they were captured, they were
murdered. And we lost a lot of friends and family and members of this group. A
lot of them disappeared as well. We joined the lines of the people who were
looking. Suddenly we became part of the disappeared ourselves."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The organization members hope that they would find their loved ones
alive.They just want to know. As Blanca described they are worse off than those
who know their loved ones have been murdered. This situation brings me back to
the research in the psychology of death and dying.
Despite the vast cross-cultural differences in which we chose to mourn for the
loss of loved ones, the feelings and processes in accepting loss are universal.
As described by the works of Corr, Doka (task-based theories),
<a href="http://www.ekrfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Kubler-Ross</a> (stage theories), and Bugen (intervention theories), grieving is
part of the intrapersonal dimension of coping with loss, while mourning is part
of the interpersonal aspects of social expression, or social expression of
grief. Furthermore, physical symptoms
as well as depression of unresolved grief are a sign of unresolved grief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKlfhbMBw1yKDA-R6z4EH4fTXWaorMosA5WLwYkVhvBW-qaiCTIhTRyKwym92LH-z2jtYdlGW-SkA8W04q3Kkq62UmuWJaMIBm5A3BbL64SZtzG3pk30U815tzCZhg5KMyrfOY2D1lb8/s1600/bugen+deathanddying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKlfhbMBw1yKDA-R6z4EH4fTXWaorMosA5WLwYkVhvBW-qaiCTIhTRyKwym92LH-z2jtYdlGW-SkA8W04q3Kkq62UmuWJaMIBm5A3BbL64SZtzG3pk30U815tzCZhg5KMyrfOY2D1lb8/s1600/bugen+deathanddying.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psychology of Death and Dying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
As Blanca went on to say in Spanish,
"When somebody takes a family member and makes them disappear, it is the
most horrible act that anyone can commit against somebody else. Sometimes
people will die, people will be murdered, but their families have something
that we don’t have. You have a body; you can mourn them, you can bury them, you
can visit them. But in our case we don’t have a place to go. In our case, they
are not dead and they are not alive; it is a circle that has no end. We are
still mourning them, because we cannot stop, we cannot move on with our
lives".</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The victims’ families cannot properly mourn. With no remains, they have
no place to mourn at. Healing is limited or cannot take place at all. That is
why it is so important to seek out and identify the remains of these families.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEf2cJsKb9d4WfU9UUV-RmkU0e5qLSbJC0d0Dz3PVmQLNLUyBn_m2TfqRi63KbSAbQWiMEDw_-9ZuY9IUH6xMEOZMV14MeRVD5U1AxCjFA8iMHpKSXMtne9i2RA01WMfhhTuA3coWqvs/s1600/DSCN2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEf2cJsKb9d4WfU9UUV-RmkU0e5qLSbJC0d0Dz3PVmQLNLUyBn_m2TfqRi63KbSAbQWiMEDw_-9ZuY9IUH6xMEOZMV14MeRVD5U1AxCjFA8iMHpKSXMtne9i2RA01WMfhhTuA3coWqvs/s320/DSCN2492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protesting in front of Cultural Palace, Guatemala City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In great need of a walk to recollect our thoughts after that powerful
two hour meeting with Blanca Hernandez, we headed toward the <i>del Palacio
Nacional </i>(National Palace). On the front steps, a man was shouting. He
spoke about corruption of the state (the government was apparently planning
their Christmas Party during their morning meetings), the president's promise
of new jobs turn out to be only a few new positions within the government with
little worth or purpose, and the little worth of the Quetzales to Dollar (maybe
make new sentence about worth). Moreover, he was stressing how Guatemalans need
to rise up together to discontinue corruption; not with arms but with our
voices, intelligence and common sense. He spoke of the man behind him on a
hunger strike who has prostate cancer. To him, this man is representative of
many others without access to health care, and urged people to act now because
one day they might be in a similar situation. The man on a hunger strike is
Carlos Izaguirre, a kind soft spoken man who does not have access to medicine
for his painful cancer. He is camped out in protest of state corruption and the
lack of resources for hospitals. One of his signs reads, “I have the same right
to health as Baldetti”. Baldetti was the former Vice President who resigned
after a corruption scandal. She recently sought private health care because the
public health care system was not to her standards. Cristian said that such a
protest would not have happened 15 years ago without the police showing up and
hauling the men off. In May, people of all ages regularly were showing up at
the plaza every Saturday because of the President and Vice President’s
corruption. They peacefully protested and cleaned up after themselves, which is
wonderful to hear such progression.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFeVsLamUvO8zhea4YCUoOwAK3RNCSKJhWV3cwqjM0BZL0KRXtFZYrklpsD5eprPpoeQkMrpNboeKimBS8bUgQavCmrmOPY5_Uc3OkQR5N4iOpYtfORAEeAT8szPxEYB-95i-c1rFvjI/s1600/DSCN2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFeVsLamUvO8zhea4YCUoOwAK3RNCSKJhWV3cwqjM0BZL0KRXtFZYrklpsD5eprPpoeQkMrpNboeKimBS8bUgQavCmrmOPY5_Uc3OkQR5N4iOpYtfORAEeAT8szPxEYB-95i-c1rFvjI/s320/DSCN2494.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlos Izaguirre hunger-striking with cancer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 18pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We stopped by later and brought the man on a hunger strike some water
and Ensure powder. He was very grateful though he definitely deserved our
thanks more, for his bravery in speaking out. Carlos said he has been standing
up against the corruption and violence since he was a university student and is
now in his 60s. He continues fighting for the youth and hopes to one day be at
a place where his country owes him nothing and he owes his country nothing.He
hugged all of us as we left.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Of the few hand
written signs he had beside him, one stood out most powerful and true:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 18pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Solidarity has no
borders. It’s not something you ask for, it’s a gift.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF8tOsnx2xP3fSSlYMMp31EzL2UrW0UWaRL4ZeblbA_XgEBYp1m24-URhwxBUZixkyiex2wAB6PLI38F1wbZgNbRoOvdrrP86dFdU2NxCzxBrLA_cWfLBHblQ8kJDy_23jce3bhi3iog/s1600/12107815_10153734985782430_4835216048771542088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF8tOsnx2xP3fSSlYMMp31EzL2UrW0UWaRL4ZeblbA_XgEBYp1m24-URhwxBUZixkyiex2wAB6PLI38F1wbZgNbRoOvdrrP86dFdU2NxCzxBrLA_cWfLBHblQ8kJDy_23jce3bhi3iog/s320/12107815_10153734985782430_4835216048771542088_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I have felt at times like the situations within countries like Guatemala
are hopeless. However, listening to Blanca, Carlos and the protesting man speak
was an encouraging shift. They are reminders of the strong determined people
working towards making things better despite death threats and cuts to funding.
People keep working even when their organizations have no money to pay their
salaries, like the staff at EFI-IFIFT and (soon to see) <a href="http://www.sobrevivientes.org/" target="_blank">FundacionSobrevivientes</a> . Most importantly, we, including the media, need to focus
our efforts on documenting the strength and determination of people like this.
We need to see that one is not limited to the amount of money, or formal
education; you just have to have an open mind. Their lives' work is not just
for themselves but to help others. They know others have suffered just as much
as themselves, and for that they will work together to make their struggles
worth the effort. And it so very true! In a society of individualism, our lives
will not feel as meaningful if we are just working to improve ourselves. We must,
therefore, work for the betterment of our community and/or society. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Blanca will continue her search, Carlos his protest and Cristian his
excavations despite the dangers. What will you do? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/98571663" target="_blank">FAMDEGUA on Vimeo</a></span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/famdegua.guatemala?fref=ts" target="_blank">FAMDEGUA on Facebook</a><br />
<a href="http://pueblodeguatemala.blogspot.com/">http://pueblodeguatemala.blogspot.com/</a></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-21753628332417231142015-11-13T11:39:00.000-08:002015-11-13T11:48:00.254-08:00Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses de Guatemala<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">November 4-6<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqer3hUSSR4KBVoORJAth3_Gq9Q6YAnT85KSZhXxIfR7b_naUSNPylrzMQoW0KIjNSe3Qlu4wBbTD44cPwJFZRgAYkbBfCbbHMwjDQaCDX18Ig7qZW58rvXgXBKooKkL-8sADa6OvJtho/s1600/DSCN2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqer3hUSSR4KBVoORJAth3_Gq9Q6YAnT85KSZhXxIfR7b_naUSNPylrzMQoW0KIjNSe3Qlu4wBbTD44cPwJFZRgAYkbBfCbbHMwjDQaCDX18Ig7qZW58rvXgXBKooKkL-8sADa6OvJtho/s320/DSCN2287.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Institute for Forensic Sciences for Guatemala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What an extraordinary experience
getting a personal tour of the<a href="http://www.inacif.gob.gt/" target="_blank"> Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses deGuatemala (INACIF)</a>, of which I can say is the gem of Guatemala. The smell of dead bodies
lingers within building. We meet Director Dr. Carlos Aigusto Rodas Gonzalas, a
well presented gentleman with a bow-tie. He explains these facilities is the
centre of forensics for the whole country. In asking where they get their
funds, he says from some international states as the US as <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/guatemala" target="_blank">USAID </a>and EU has provided such funding and technology.
We were soon to see indeed, some astounding facilities. He says with a coy
smile that their works were who helped catch the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/21/guatemala-former-vice-president-detained-customs-scandal" target="_blank">Guatemalanvice-present for corruption </a>with the use of their newly received
technology of wire-taps. He does point out that what is going on in Guatemala
is not all bad. There is indeed some cooperation between professio nals from
Mexico , Chile, and Italy, in order to track organized crime, especially gangs.
But it is indeed still a great struggle for these professionals who work so
hard to halt corruption they continue to see within the police and justice
system. Dr. Rodas has even worked on creating training workshops on proper
methodology for the crime scene for police so that they no longer continue to
lose evidence. The Guatemala justice system has its large flaws from so many
unsolved crimes that are let slide while the victims suffer in fear, distrust
and resentment. There is still much under the table threats and pay outs to
cover up crimes, but also because many of the officers have had very little
formal training, and most often are 'volunteers'. For example, coroners are
supposed to be the only one touching and collecting the bodies to ensure no
evidence is lost. Here, most of the time, police have been known to just drag and load the bodies in the back of
a truck, and in some cases allow the someone to dispose or wipe away the
evidence. It is definitely a great barrier for those like Dr. Rodas' teams and
for Cristian's.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZOQOdP5jQ-EZNuT5nijbPkhwcpzN0ThhooPaWSlubMdxwPA10vzI-CBJOF7VNpn-HhexUP3mDt6cQQsOIDS9NxA40Yw0TcnAbJ3mFYcLSLOFVwNPPznRqL2of3fbGvw9moA0hqYWN34/s1600/DSCN2330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZOQOdP5jQ-EZNuT5nijbPkhwcpzN0ThhooPaWSlubMdxwPA10vzI-CBJOF7VNpn-HhexUP3mDt6cQQsOIDS9NxA40Yw0TcnAbJ3mFYcLSLOFVwNPPznRqL2of3fbGvw9moA0hqYWN34/s320/DSCN2330.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">We then proceed with the rest of the tour. We entered a little room with a video camera tv screen and a window to give the family options of how they want to confirm the body. We walked into their morgue cooler. He informs us that there are 78 bodies here from the weekend alone, and the next closed door is where they have 203 from the Cambry II mudslide a month before. Then we walked by a forensic technician who was cleaning 3 male bodies, as a result of gang violence. One of the pale bodies had tattoos. In fact, one of their latest magazines gives an article on their use of tattoos in body identification," Tatuajes en las ciencias forenses. Breve experiencia de este tipo de hallazgo" ( </span><span lang="EN"><span style="line-height: 150%;">tattoos on forensic science : brief experience of this type of discovery). We then follow by more data collection teams, working hard on computers. Onto the other side of the building, we enter into the room where they remove tissue from the bodies (by simmering them) in order for them to be taken to the Forensic Anthropologist specialists. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYFbq8G0DLHBBdxUxidksQS8PLXttlAEZe-GcvhIn7IENOTFcG1PZA593nXCCXpshUImABmWWVPHXnDsYZf7HyBc4SfcU3K4ZSjLnByNvKQ7dENc3lS8N9miP6BtphNzWZy2ZH1sgFI4/s1600/DSCN2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYFbq8G0DLHBBdxUxidksQS8PLXttlAEZe-GcvhIn7IENOTFcG1PZA593nXCCXpshUImABmWWVPHXnDsYZf7HyBc4SfcU3K4ZSjLnByNvKQ7dENc3lS8N9miP6BtphNzWZy2ZH1sgFI4/s320/DSCN2290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZz7tPt8sZdWdoKUN1RsUyJufLU32KRF0_rjw0lVW846AsYy7dtVJpZwy1DQ45AwHxssJwXhj9HcQvnzE3Vcn-4CI_MtKdkYSGLekF7h0AuWgMIlWrOxRw_pNJL26yCPsGmV0_d_YKY0/s1600/DSCN2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZz7tPt8sZdWdoKUN1RsUyJufLU32KRF0_rjw0lVW846AsYy7dtVJpZwy1DQ45AwHxssJwXhj9HcQvnzE3Vcn-4CI_MtKdkYSGLekF7h0AuWgMIlWrOxRw_pNJL26yCPsGmV0_d_YKY0/s320/DSCN2319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">This is where we got to spend the rest of the afternoon, asking questions, </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">analysing</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">, and </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">practising</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> like we had done the previous day </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">ageing</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> and sexing the bones. These victims, were ongoing contemporary cases (so post-civil war), some gang violence, some femicide. It was really interesting finding out which was the first gunshot to the victims skull. One of the forensic anthropologists told me you can find identification by comparing which one first fractured the skull from first impact, to the second having the pressure let out was clean through.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hCUQkzlpSobtYAVsu4a5y80JbVbA-kffT6w4NC9Kg05Y5bAbN8z1eOZcjQpc4wsEblts7B9QCnsqeFT2FHNQZkrzX-mchlf-yNjllGkem4TYdVQCwXLnH_24gd82mR7R2zgzhoykGmg/s1600/DSCN2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hCUQkzlpSobtYAVsu4a5y80JbVbA-kffT6w4NC9Kg05Y5bAbN8z1eOZcjQpc4wsEblts7B9QCnsqeFT2FHNQZkrzX-mchlf-yNjllGkem4TYdVQCwXLnH_24gd82mR7R2zgzhoykGmg/s320/DSCN2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female victims fingernails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It definitely is an odd feeling, working with human remains. Humans, as social beings, are so attached to emotion and human characteristics. Yet, when we lose an aspect of such, we begin to see as an object, a puzzle which needs to be solved. We were working with remains of victims of brutal deaths, but yet, I was not the whole time dealing with the sickening feeling of how they died. Did I feel guilty for not feeling heart-wrenched, but rather intrigued, and curious? But that is what it is like for most people in this field; refocusing their emotion on solving the task at hand, or imputing the data so that the case to solved faster, so hopefully justice is served. The place that hit me the most was outside the facilities when we were leaving seeing all the families waiting to see the deceased. Right before we left a police truck pulled up with a body in the back covered in white cloth. The families were waiting outside the gates crying. I felt bad as us foreigners got the 'ok' to go right in while some of these families had been waiting all day outside, with no waiting area.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27liLI23e2wGYRLV1XEoDL6Op9nd-l5nmTFKPP2jcRRE5C0cBeguvkzSkieIQ5WozLWR8hqXN-r0XLuacvHdOnd1P7xH4TZmuTuhO2yM2pFVYa23CRUisdgh3mOspcptyvFJZfsvBnyQ/s1600/DSCN2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27liLI23e2wGYRLV1XEoDL6Op9nd-l5nmTFKPP2jcRRE5C0cBeguvkzSkieIQ5WozLWR8hqXN-r0XLuacvHdOnd1P7xH4TZmuTuhO2yM2pFVYa23CRUisdgh3mOspcptyvFJZfsvBnyQ/s320/DSCN2328.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police truck pulls up with body</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We later went to visit the second Guatemala INACIF facilities. Their laboratories include documentoscopy, ballistics, toxicology, fingerprinting, biology, identification of vehicles, physical chemistry, controlled substance, genetics, and shot paths. First we met the director of the DNA Laboratory starting with the microscopes where they normally use for blood and semen. As he was explaining more of their facilities, two women were working on articles of clothing, one bloody shirt from a inmate murder, female dress pants from a femicide of rape and murder, and pair of female underwear from a rape and murder. Here, they cut tiny pieces from the clothing where the blood or semen would be, then dilute with solution so that they may further analyze. Then the clothing and the swabs are packaged back up. Dr. Rodas kindly joined us for the rest of the tour. I realize that my co-op at my hometown Parry Sound Hospital lab came in handy as I recognized much of the technology, machines and procedures. The DNA spin machines are extremely expensive to process, and that is why within the facilities DNA processing is more of a last resort. When processing the DNA, you not only can use to identify the victim and the perpetrator but also help solve the missing pieces in identifying family members, or missing children. Erica brought in some comparative and informative information after they had informed us they could get results out in 48 hours, while in LA it would take up to 2 weeks to a month. It puts a little into perspective of all those American crime shows where only 4 people can solve a mystery in less than an hour!<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdNHDMGXVUxOWyIpj4K6cBmelH-bcAXShhXT5cCg6VKh2sR-2eXE6n_jUyJ4zc-YAUyUoJRbdl8M1rQe3QzNfSR7tIev-LalgWD9_0dfyhsXvWD1KKLXLjJ1NYF8HTKO4Q9gC4YNHmp4/s1600/IMG_20151106_123437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdNHDMGXVUxOWyIpj4K6cBmelH-bcAXShhXT5cCg6VKh2sR-2eXE6n_jUyJ4zc-YAUyUoJRbdl8M1rQe3QzNfSR7tIev-LalgWD9_0dfyhsXvWD1KKLXLjJ1NYF8HTKO4Q9gC4YNHmp4/s320/IMG_20151106_123437.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With consensus vote we headed up next to the ballistics lab, which deals with the guns and bullet identification of crimes. The first area we entered was the main identification of the weapon used, what caliber, and bullets. They even have a range of homemade weapons that have been used, created with some steel piping and some welding. Many of the guns they receive have the registration numbers scratched off of them as many of the weapons are bought or borrowed off of a black market. In order to acquire comparative data and confirmation, they must produce a replica shot from the gun and bullet of which they do so in another room. One question was asked what form of education and training was necessary for this line of work, and interestingly enough, most were engineers and because of no actual direct education, their paths were led to this work! It was a positive reassurance, at least for myself, that we can never foresee where out education will take us. And that is what makes life exciting right!? Life would be boring if we were just to foreseen a straight path of work, education and careers!<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/88u2izjs618/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/88u2izjs618?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Under the microscope the bullets undergo comparison for damage and markings. The last area was the computer data input. The technology they had was incredibly advanced, <a href="http://www.ultra-forensictechnology.com/ibis" target="_blank">IBIS</a> machines and 3D scanners, where they store all the bullet and weapon models. This form of data entry is extraordinarily efficient as this data base can track the same gun to hundreds of cases. Erica informed us in LA, they tend to just leave the bullets in a box and that be it, where as this is a whole new dimension of data entry and storage. The most fascinating was an enormous tree graph they had created which links on for what I could compare as miles spread out around the country and onto other countries. To zoom in and then out you see how vast these connections are, such as gang members using the same guns and how they travel around through this geolocation. They even mentioned that they had recently got back from a conference in Montreal presenting their data to INTERPOL. The main concern now, is if there would be greater cohesion and legitimate cooperation with the justice system. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXm7AsLtqxfINZAJ34TlPwWHrKzsnnu8PCABoBFuxfnYMBBWoPAq-kNLadDM_mKkvxlLIhwN5355aAk2Eh1N7l-w_xBQezFREae9jGARN2Abb8r4Cta32JSsDvDlW76whCDYr0VV2-g/s1600/DSCN2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXm7AsLtqxfINZAJ34TlPwWHrKzsnnu8PCABoBFuxfnYMBBWoPAq-kNLadDM_mKkvxlLIhwN5355aAk2Eh1N7l-w_xBQezFREae9jGARN2Abb8r4Cta32JSsDvDlW76whCDYr0VV2-g/s320/DSCN2342.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-61406522695462379552015-11-11T08:02:00.003-08:002015-11-11T10:35:15.398-08:00War and Remembrance <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wuf5sxzZf77ZQfk9m3jLsTY2bt68CXvCHt0RKylBIVMfn1X00E4Sbul0uoOayCmidBueezhgWo5ie-86vuuPgJBJynWYxY3cNGRZTUaq6kGYBarqx7L9gEHhKaCissuvwht0EwoxiFw/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wuf5sxzZf77ZQfk9m3jLsTY2bt68CXvCHt0RKylBIVMfn1X00E4Sbul0uoOayCmidBueezhgWo5ie-86vuuPgJBJynWYxY3cNGRZTUaq6kGYBarqx7L9gEHhKaCissuvwht0EwoxiFw/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a>The five of us just finished watching the incredible film <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6xwPYpdeAk" target="_blank">Innocent Voices</a>, on the true story of a boy and his
community during the 80's El Salvador conflict, where there was forced child military
recruitment. Cristian living in Central and South America during the conflicts
confirms it is truly accurate of the trauma war does to children, recruitments
and their families, and how soldiers can turn children into killing machines.
It brings me back to <a href="http://www.childsoldiers.org/" target="_blank">Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative</a> and his work <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Fight_Like_Soldiers,_They_Die_Like_Children" target="_blank">TheyFight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children</a>. Cristian explains that he was in the
area in 2005 for the film. Carlos Padilla now lives in Mexico as a writer and
film-maker.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm8t4M1coWzABPioPwVehfHRTLudzZvSdkL9LjsHqLjElCQN2nox04APgKYXmjaIaKlD-AR7UE0H4sp4NmI1v1C0Ww7oMnBDPA_4jaKySLKqyA3-S2LgfwfjC3oc4QXHPFUW0eazvdz4/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm8t4M1coWzABPioPwVehfHRTLudzZvSdkL9LjsHqLjElCQN2nox04APgKYXmjaIaKlD-AR7UE0H4sp4NmI1v1C0Ww7oMnBDPA_4jaKySLKqyA3-S2LgfwfjC3oc4QXHPFUW0eazvdz4/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Realizing the eve of Remembrance Day to my fellow Canadians,
I feel a great pit in my stomach if I do not write. I write not to offend but because
in reflection of the years I have been on this earth, I have realized
Remembrance Day has been a touchy subject at times; for example the white peace
poppies. Every year I question if and why I see so much anger and backlash when
people have a discussion of how it makes
them feel or from what see as anything against the general and traditional
narrative we have heard since WWI and II. My intent is not to hurt or offend,
but only the sharing of knowledge and to help create a greater understanding of
others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quoted from the official <a href="http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/a-day-of-remembrance/why" target="_blank">VeterensAffairs</a> holds great importance:<br />
<br />
"These wars touched the lives of Canadians of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts: they were killed in action, they were wounded, and thousands who returned were forced to live the rest of their lives with the phsical and mental scars of war...<br />
Yet for many of us, war is phenomenon seen through the lens of a television camera or a journalist's account of fighting in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabillia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, and diaries can seem vague and uncconnected to the life of their owner. For those of us born during peacetime, all wars seem far removed from our daily lives.<br />
We often take for granted our Canadian values and institutions, our freedoms to participate in cultural and <u>political </u>events, and our right to live under a government of choice... "</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTlrxFA9_kzT3og86hSwnl2X5LxYZ_XfgkRArb-3H8Tg1Uqvm7gxk8WckTMyEO5hotEXm7Ni5wyPrM9tGGsUbXOn8N6gJ0T9Mp4_6sqWCAIdDePplatxqpHQjwHOgolzalvi2wzI5mDI/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTlrxFA9_kzT3og86hSwnl2X5LxYZ_XfgkRArb-3H8Tg1Uqvm7gxk8WckTMyEO5hotEXm7Ni5wyPrM9tGGsUbXOn8N6gJ0T9Mp4_6sqWCAIdDePplatxqpHQjwHOgolzalvi2wzI5mDI/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In retrospect, one important distinction made in Conflict
Studies is acknowledging that war and warfare has greatly changed from the
narratives of Carl von Clausewitz's <i>On
War</i>, and therefore the methods and narratives should follow suit. But many
of the contemporary issues that surround
us today is in part due to the narratives of war not being updated
within society. Reflection and progression is important because new and unforeseen
issues arise and thus tactics and what is found to important ever changes. Yes,
in some aspects we never seem to learn from our mistakes in history, but maybe
we have learned, just those narratives are condemned or silenced. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you have seen country case study after case study of
conflicts or mass atrocities you realize how frightenly similar they all are.
Hitler does not seem so distant and horrendous because you realize how quickly
and commonly these events have slipped into action, citizens, neighbours,
brothers and sisters turn on each other, while the other parts of the world or
even members of their own country are 'oblivious' or paralysed from action of resistance.
Or if they have, are turned around and branded as "stubborn", "allies
to the enemy", or this century's favourite: "terrorists". The
contemporary cases seem endless: Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Chile, El Salvador,
Uganda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, or in my current work and study in
Guatemala. And of course may I not forget USA and Canada.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-cn-nfPLq1m2GhYSiBtu6zaycxa8_OVK8iIpkG9zStcft-mdjB2CEIlVimE-qu0c6cEeDZGbE32tUQxyHJPmccjKKqkoXdTCqCBXebOouRAwKdxyR1o2mZfDNk-lYRsR8tNjqrhEGcg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-cn-nfPLq1m2GhYSiBtu6zaycxa8_OVK8iIpkG9zStcft-mdjB2CEIlVimE-qu0c6cEeDZGbE32tUQxyHJPmccjKKqkoXdTCqCBXebOouRAwKdxyR1o2mZfDNk-lYRsR8tNjqrhEGcg/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The use of 'Never Again' is repeated throughout the
generations ... but it has come into much criticism and debate because of the
fact that it <i>does happen again, again,
and again</i>. Indeed much of the foundations of International Law as the
<a href="http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html" target="_blank">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a> were founded on this drive. It is not to be
naive and hope for eternal 'peace and freedom' but we have the ability and
choice as individuals of how we treat one another, actively or passively.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the question turns to the quote in the third paragraph
on 'unconnected' and 'removed'. Maybe
the issue revolves around because we only deem reflection and remembering the
loss one day of the year. Maybe it makes us wilfully ignorant to the reality
and effects of war and conflict and the general use of violence in attempts to
solve problems. For example, I will never forget the short video I saw on, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSElmEmEjb4" target="_blank">African Men. Hollywood Sterotypes</a> in relation to all
the North American warfare films and games. The closer you are to conflict,
indeed you see much less of a interest and demand for this 'entertainment'. For
war and violence is ...and those who are actually put in those surroundings,
will deal with the most traumatizing times of their lives, during and after. And
boy have read, talked and interviewed those who were affected by war and
violence, first or second hand, civilian or soldier, from around the world, and
from different backgrounds and history, and the trauma is <i>very real</i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg334_-UmKfB_l5eVoDmmEx_TgUPkc210e9WJpzxRY-rwCHAvafoIWRYB7_NS681CVxJSKnpNMNoI5u4RNNnAynbFgTpOsRLnTEtdc5oZEm8r1HMhyphenhyphenMWbA0rYy6_EthFtnh1jZA9J9eSW4/s1600/humanrights_feat_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg334_-UmKfB_l5eVoDmmEx_TgUPkc210e9WJpzxRY-rwCHAvafoIWRYB7_NS681CVxJSKnpNMNoI5u4RNNnAynbFgTpOsRLnTEtdc5oZEm8r1HMhyphenhyphenMWbA0rYy6_EthFtnh1jZA9J9eSW4/s640/humanrights_feat_1024x1024.jpg" width="424" /></a>We all justify for our actions or inactions. We cannot deny
this because it is our human nature, But we cannot forget that our justifications
are human nature because it is used for both the most positive and the most
horrendous of action, and from those deemed most brave or courageous of sacrifices
and to those deemed the most cruel or monstrous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So can we really 'remember' when it's not yet in the past?</div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-40192798229557742582015-11-09T14:35:00.000-08:002015-11-16T18:06:27.839-08:00Rabinal and the Lives of Others: We are all in this world together<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">November 7-8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oscar, another Coordinator of Social Anthropology of EFI-IFIFT
invited us to join the local university San Carlos archaeology field trip to
Rabinal, Baja Verapaz his hometown located in a rural valley 4 hours drive up
and down mountain sides. Crammed into the mini Toyota bus, all 17 of us headed
out of Guatemala City. Their professor specializes in ceramics in archaeology. All throughout the trip there were so many
wonderful and unique 'chicken buses'. Driven down from the US Auctions, these
old school buses have become the pride and joy of these Guatemalan owners, of
which I recommend you watch<a href="http://www.lacamionetafilm.com/" target="_blank"> La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus</a> on Netflix. One man's trash is another
man's treasure, and boy, do they get used! Cristian (understandably) was not
interested in us take them and can attract some sketchy people.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICk7c_3gYrlqU8k7hzQds__JCuzhbiqVuxeLLGHYLAjSGdyyzo4XNzti1fr1eViKfd3-uHU6FNk2PvSZC3RfvtnaZsuHQgYeZdcQL_rLT3m8NvkRvJdlvEfG_qodfLQR7DVB9R8uZZtY/s1600/DSCN2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICk7c_3gYrlqU8k7hzQds__JCuzhbiqVuxeLLGHYLAjSGdyyzo4XNzti1fr1eViKfd3-uHU6FNk2PvSZC3RfvtnaZsuHQgYeZdcQL_rLT3m8NvkRvJdlvEfG_qodfLQR7DVB9R8uZZtY/s320/DSCN2462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"chicken buses"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> The windy roads
become a roller coaster of adventure to what sharp cliff or awing scenery awaits
the next steep turn, as driving through all-but-white fog up the tops of
mountains. It's a wonder how hard Guatemalan vehicles work, as the driver has
to down shift to 3rd and 2nd, at times just barely making it up the hills. The
smell of burning metal brakes reminds me of the times going up and down the
mountains of the Cabot Tail, Nova Scotia. Death to whomever gets car sick, as this turns
show no mercy. I have to thank my upbringing in bush planes for my strong
stomach and sense of adventure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB03o-LCznQ75CBxAJymGhQJNG1jH3s7cAJ7VCO_CYHBW805t0wgcPNv9gPkZeBbrFtlSh2yRcyHm3lD5u_BESQv5EexnOWJjW-Z5KUMAJwQYlm_gixUeKVJRtY8Td-CFDqwqd0Tjmedc/s1600/DSCN2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB03o-LCznQ75CBxAJymGhQJNG1jH3s7cAJ7VCO_CYHBW805t0wgcPNv9gPkZeBbrFtlSh2yRcyHm3lD5u_BESQv5EexnOWJjW-Z5KUMAJwQYlm_gixUeKVJRtY8Td-CFDqwqd0Tjmedc/s320/DSCN2398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuk Tuk's </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The little three wheeled 'tuk tuk's' mozying
down the highways along with the normal traffic reminds me of the tortoise and
the hare, and how much I still want to live in India to see more of them. The
more rural the community, you see more of them, as a taxi. Also if I forgot to
mention, Guatemala is a haven for mopeds and motorcycles. Don't mind traffic
safety, pile as many people on them as possible, the better. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All along the way, I notice left over
campaign signs for the recent election and in the most remote and random
places. I recognize quite quickly that any surface can be dibbs for election
advertisement like red ' Lider" party painted on every surface: rock
faces, hydro polls, and even people's shops and houses. I feel slightly
uncomfortable about this as feels no different than vandalism.</span></div>
We abruptly arrive at our first destination
off a dirt road and an abandoned cement structure. We walk down a narrow grassy
footpath, garbage strewed all around until we stop at an encirclement of old cement
and wood huts.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4emiO8UlRXVOqXAEOhkwg0irWv6XwP7zTkGRFYue3kEx0e0RTA4pr5IbxoNHdberozU9D_8kLzXsGf54A1ihzJi0OpGIGvrP1tS65qRmj_Txz7ksnyRyPgyYFf55P3C5s-tgKPpqrv0/s1600/DSCN2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4emiO8UlRXVOqXAEOhkwg0irWv6XwP7zTkGRFYue3kEx0e0RTA4pr5IbxoNHdberozU9D_8kLzXsGf54A1ihzJi0OpGIGvrP1tS65qRmj_Txz7ksnyRyPgyYFf55P3C5s-tgKPpqrv0/s320/DSCN2366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gracious family indeed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Here Oscar introduces us in Spanish and Achi. The whole family
is around, their grandmother shelling nuts, when I realize they are serving us
a treat they made us. I instantly get butterflies in my stomach and get the
feeling to drop to my knees and tear up. Here is this poor family, to our
standards to having nothing, and they serve us all well fed beings their food
that they made my hand. Served in their painted Jicaro gourd bowls, the
pudding-like serving was called Atol, white maize and cocoa growing from the
branches overhead. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5vlxPoZg20u9scro1A8FxlW9QNUeNqnSZzujdhpXrR1WunaF101CHZm42YkcuvS2h60SGHqS74ETvqTKa3tlNmslBK0vCJ3KpJH6DCZIvYtAy3gNW6scikakrAYBaYRuWkgo5E3Ok28/s1600/DSCN2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5vlxPoZg20u9scro1A8FxlW9QNUeNqnSZzujdhpXrR1WunaF101CHZm42YkcuvS2h60SGHqS74ETvqTKa3tlNmslBK0vCJ3KpJH6DCZIvYtAy3gNW6scikakrAYBaYRuWkgo5E3Ok28/s320/DSCN2355.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jicaro gourd they turn into bowls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Feeling extraordinarily humbled, Cristian does remind us of
the proper etiquette to eat it all, and the use of thumbs to eat clean is
suggested, of which I graciously continue to do.</span>Then the mother takes us and
shows us the clay she retrieves and uses to make figurines and bowls with. Her
daughters curiously and shyly peer out behind her. I smile and say Buenos Dias,
and the little girl holds her eyes and giggles. <span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">I must have opened her
confidence because after she came to the front to make her own figurine and to
repeatedly show me. Showing us the different forms of dyes as clays, they also
shared with us their family method the precision and process to make these
bowls: carve them out, soak them, clean them, sandpaper them with a specific
leaf, paint and polish. We are given the chance to mold something our self. Asking
"cuanto questa? " I buy a yellow and red bowl, and lady figurine. I
realize how cheap they are selling it for the work and effort it takes to make
them and leave them some extra. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bUuEzIukFbGP1gK152T9HqWpiiWyw0ie-UJLGUqjCSN8dlCQkD9L-i4IjN-ZsyMBDDQtF6c8cxMDrEHoqclevvWiiAmm1dw7qxrrLJgfT3Z2CLaKvR0S5cxdgpk1GCtO-DPAuuEl0-0/s1600/DSCN2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bUuEzIukFbGP1gK152T9HqWpiiWyw0ie-UJLGUqjCSN8dlCQkD9L-i4IjN-ZsyMBDDQtF6c8cxMDrEHoqclevvWiiAmm1dw7qxrrLJgfT3Z2CLaKvR0S5cxdgpk1GCtO-DPAuuEl0-0/s320/DSCN2362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay making </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">The older girls later hands me a figurine of
the sheep smiling, I assume because of their gratitude! I try my best to say I
have chickens to, and we all bid them a big Muchas Gracias, and head back to the
bus. Cristian tells me, because Oscar in the past has been a guide in the past,
he is has been making inquiries to some of these families to come into our home
and show us what they do to live and make in order to live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our next stop was on the side of the road
to Ceramica Artesanal Decorativa Saraliz where this particular family
specializes in pottery. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRuVLyxSeXOpAT-T6UO9ZPLWey5U5L15X8rQsOmgooVFeGi5WJQfM80wUreR5Je9bd1xSV3cxtkVU8af9xTOasd88nyhuhNnqjHpeVLHPEhAZmx9_WsFH6LvPAUqCUnD7OP_TiEHwmpA/s1600/DSCN2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRuVLyxSeXOpAT-T6UO9ZPLWey5U5L15X8rQsOmgooVFeGi5WJQfM80wUreR5Je9bd1xSV3cxtkVU8af9xTOasd88nyhuhNnqjHpeVLHPEhAZmx9_WsFH6LvPAUqCUnD7OP_TiEHwmpA/s320/DSCN2374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An expert crafts-family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All around are hundreds of pieces of pottery, while I
realized we were walking through their house and personal property, I begin to
feel guilty and humbled with their openness to share. We find the father
outback working at his pottery wheel. The structure is made out of wood, and
the wooden wheel he moves with his foot, he explains his profession of pottery
was taught by his father and his father. He explains his methods, and within 15 minutes he has already made 5 different
shaped bowls, flower pots, and vases! Consistency is most definitely the key,
in making sure an equal </span>amount of pressure while it spins. Once shaped, he
let's the pottery dry for 8 days, sometimes 12 for the big ones, while on day 3,
he can begin carving with incredible detail. He then let's us the chance to try
at the wheel. We realize very quickly, how poorly we are, and how very skilled he
must be; truly and expert. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Us Anglophones found it amusing that every time
someone went to the wheel the students played "Oh, my love - The Righteous
Brothers from the Ghost soundtrack! </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xGSVf2abPQU_2yWab08Zj7zwviBOnx3U8h2jVOPor6gUYEWTy_Pcg5bANUlgJLhNIRjg3J9CSt_19ziIOjWuVEO_n0P_lN7U8VxL6xoX_x2lVtudx-q5hhdHVgl2bZVVUO1RWNFogE/s1600/DSCN2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xGSVf2abPQU_2yWab08Zj7zwviBOnx3U8h2jVOPor6gUYEWTy_Pcg5bANUlgJLhNIRjg3J9CSt_19ziIOjWuVEO_n0P_lN7U8VxL6xoX_x2lVtudx-q5hhdHVgl2bZVVUO1RWNFogE/s320/DSCN2380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skilled Potterer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIepSN1FDoDabMeDnTyoNOWlf_mZ5MgJwfT9LCgi8xkJhKYTWtNRMmstVojd5tDLmBPY-JfLf9jk1OrsOdj-t2b4e9YhWKcylTjAukrmnd-ySCYgZt0NMEQBHqewpICs-l1fOoi3hPG4/s1600/DSCN2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIepSN1FDoDabMeDnTyoNOWlf_mZ5MgJwfT9LCgi8xkJhKYTWtNRMmstVojd5tDLmBPY-JfLf9jk1OrsOdj-t2b4e9YhWKcylTjAukrmnd-ySCYgZt0NMEQBHqewpICs-l1fOoi3hPG4/s320/DSCN2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On our way our we gave some attention to
the skinny white kitten, and then proceeding to choose out what we would like
to buy. Hopping back into the bus the heat and humidity of 30 degrees, I felt I
was going to melt. Talking with Erica who lives in L.A., we both cannot get
over the differences in temperatures we can and cannot handle. I am definitely
a northerner and she southerner. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We arrive in Rabinal at our enclosed hotel
and drop off our things. We are famished, so head to the nearest restaurant,
which is definitely someone's home. After refreshing ourselves, we head to our
next destination, down narrower and and unbeaten roads. I still don't know how
the driver never hit all the other tuk tuk's, cars and motorcycles. We pass by
what looks like a soccer/sports stadium. Cristian tells me he is quite upset
about this because it was over top what used to be an army garrison from the
war, and the last time he, Oscar, and Heidy, were there they were exhuming mass
graves there. When they were there they had whole families flocking to them
crying to them if they had found their family members and why they couldn't
stay longer. Cristian said that he could hear Heidy crying all night. He said solemnly,
as I could tell he was very upset about it, it is a terrible shame because the
well where they had dumped hundreds of bodies was now covered by cement. He
very much suspects it was covered up by the government so they could no longer
access it. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJMA-zOUJGk56zO8t_5ZoKCLzl8vWWUAdUcC1Z2p0YSokyTo517ZMgc6NmaAUMBAQgek0Xo_OILamtIMF6uJAiFlYSX9Nq0cW5fb6Mb0UBtZfPamrfm23y-gh8rVY_A8n_mxyHjeQ6Pc/s1600/DSCN2404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJMA-zOUJGk56zO8t_5ZoKCLzl8vWWUAdUcC1Z2p0YSokyTo517ZMgc6NmaAUMBAQgek0Xo_OILamtIMF6uJAiFlYSX9Nq0cW5fb6Mb0UBtZfPamrfm23y-gh8rVY_A8n_mxyHjeQ6Pc/s320/DSCN2404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foot Pottery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We park the bus and walk down a grass path
between barbed wire, cow and horse dung. The smell gives me a slight comforting
feeling, remember the smells when we had our large farm animals. We enter what
looks to be the family's property, while a bunch of boys and men, give us curious
stares. Further in, we see rest of the family and the husband and wife take us
to an over hang to what I can assume to be their house. Here, they do a more
basic method of pottery, of which they tend to make more for themselves. Here
she shows us how to make the clay into
pottery with just her feet and hands. She opens for us to try, first showing
how she puts first some sand help bind and stay, then she kneads the clay with
her feet as it is much to straining of a task for the hands. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7RBKNCDEd2Ppzc4amM4795TNO5J4YhggsvClW7iuEOq4dfaR0kVuRAs9YO2WdPUqwjfoxr0EUymeI41M6Eqx6hzcelyGwwN60FFcuDOxThrYZBSw5S77rHA2WegLdKvzohzTMVZMCds/s1600/DSCN2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7RBKNCDEd2Ppzc4amM4795TNO5J4YhggsvClW7iuEOq4dfaR0kVuRAs9YO2WdPUqwjfoxr0EUymeI41M6Eqx6hzcelyGwwN60FFcuDOxThrYZBSw5S77rHA2WegLdKvzohzTMVZMCds/s320/DSCN2409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few of us
proceed to try. Then she takes a bit, to the side, adds water to her hands and
the clay and begins to spin herself around, evenly molding the clay, only
slightly using a piece of cloth for the finishing touches. The husband shows us
some of the pottery they make as big pots, vases and chicken feeders. A few of
us proceed to try; a taller student struggling greatly, getting dizzy, making
it even or without it falling apart. After, we are explained that today their
family is celebrating to remember a father, of which they will continue into
the night. We are then invited to join in their celebration. I can definitely
sense we are all overwhelmed by their offer and generosity in their very
personal gathering. I go to the fire and see what they are making. I believe
they were very happy I was so curious and approved of the smells. One girl
shows where they have a large pot of tamale (covered in banana leaves) simmering.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR10z7IgBTPNPX3gX4S3Tudo5diew65IwCz0MKP7jpYaxiQqRJ0kBurdtugIoHkwtPI6rbXOtg0TQFML4baFDvbWxOx3dVDa0XSdJ50K515YrYj-1vMXgLb6P7dpwReJ2m2CRpR8K6_lA/s1600/DSCN2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR10z7IgBTPNPX3gX4S3Tudo5diew65IwCz0MKP7jpYaxiQqRJ0kBurdtugIoHkwtPI6rbXOtg0TQFML4baFDvbWxOx3dVDa0XSdJ50K515YrYj-1vMXgLb6P7dpwReJ2m2CRpR8K6_lA/s320/DSCN2431.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Tamales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are then invited to where they have music and an alter set up with candles,
and slowly burning pine branches which smells so wonderful, I wish I could capture the smell (or you could now go
and do so yourself). I am informed that the 3 marimbas (xylophone) players have
been playing since 5 am when they began preparing for the food festivities and
will continue till about midnight. There were two old men playing an old violin
and a hand drum. If I could not feel even more humble and honoured, one of the
older family members offered us a hot tamale and tortilla. He also offers us to
drink from a goblet of their home-made spirit. The youngest of children to the
oldest of grandparents, we're around us, some emotionless, some smiles. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ5WbKMdG2eOqSFNPofFurb32JH26tO6EkcLrVEl3RjO3z2Jqkh39oGp3wlSTT03ZQ8p_923teGQYlcFNiKUQFcXjxfxXS89SKIYZLCsb7GLLvW3zhEef-hwPz1HDtuGijXIG2ZSAd5g/s1600/DSCN2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ5WbKMdG2eOqSFNPofFurb32JH26tO6EkcLrVEl3RjO3z2Jqkh39oGp3wlSTT03ZQ8p_923teGQYlcFNiKUQFcXjxfxXS89SKIYZLCsb7GLLvW3zhEef-hwPz1HDtuGijXIG2ZSAd5g/s320/DSCN2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All generations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our
way out some of the woman and girls offered us to try making own tortillas over
the fire. They giggled at up as the 3 of us where struggling to get the perfect
sized circle, but we did share the watery eyes from smoke in our eyes. Before
we headed out, and then them be before more guests started coming in, one gave
me one of their bird bowls and the rest of our tortillas. The gratitude is and
was overwhelming. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Getting to dusk, we decide on our way back to
stop at the cemetery where some memorial are of the massacres in the region. Rabinal
is the site of some of the bloodiest massacres in Guatemala's Civil War,
including those of Plan de Sánchez and Río Negro. The actual town of Rabinal
was also the site of a large-scale massacre during the Independence Day
celebration of 1981. The monuments were set up by the <a href="http://www.derechos.net/adivima/en/index.html" target="_blank">Association for theIntegral Development of the Victims of Violence in the Verapaces, Maya Achi</a><u>. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ638HI86ZLl_MkvymuWwid8HKQiOX84tQhj3nigMl79gRIU5OQ3b-ykk8mswURjmZSq_6Rto9yti5JwsyJr7QXfJWCGsopYSI1i_cLhkXQzYPp3_DHt5hZYvKZ02nTYMyQPeSlI2ynxU/s1600/DSCN2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ638HI86ZLl_MkvymuWwid8HKQiOX84tQhj3nigMl79gRIU5OQ3b-ykk8mswURjmZSq_6Rto9yti5JwsyJr7QXfJWCGsopYSI1i_cLhkXQzYPp3_DHt5hZYvKZ02nTYMyQPeSlI2ynxU/s320/DSCN2455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monument does not fix the problems but does recognize it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</u>There
was one overhang with candles and oranges hanging in which families of those
who have committed suicide because they can no longer deal with the pain put
pictures there. The graves are raised due to the dry, hard dirt, and blacked
areas to where the family would have burned the surface, probably left over
from Day of the Dead. The realization hits hard for me in experiencing such
generosity and kindness from the these community member only to be reminded of
how much their community and country has suffered such trauma and loss. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We go out for dinner in the market as a big
group. It feels refreshing being out with new people besides language barriers.
Cristian had given the heads up that tonight would be our first night to have
street food (he has been wary of letting us do so far), when some of the
Spanish students invited me to go find something else beside chicken the others
we going to set down for. And boy, am I glad I agreed: Gringas, smoothies and
being able to finally talk with them, formally introduce ourselves. It is
always a fun feeling when you have the time and opportunity in a group trying
to effectively communicate when we all work together. They ask if I want to go
dance. At first a bit of hesitation at first because not sure when the rest
are, they end up all coming. Never would have expected to go to a local
Guatemalan diskotek with such a diverse crowd. There definitely were a few
stares from the local crowd but more curious than anything. Dancing in field clothes
and big hiking boots was on the hot side but at least I had a firm grip to the
ground! It was also a new experience dancing with so many people and rather
amusing thinking of it, they all wanted turn with short Canadian girl?! Despite
minor experiences from one of the other girls from crude "police
officer", the vibe was definitely positive overall; a fresh outlook from
the side of violence, and knowing people have got your back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Morning came to a pleasant awakening to the
sound of roosters, rather than blaring mufflers and horns of the city.
Breakfast was good as usual. The only thing that kills me a bit inside is the
lack of clean free tap water and having to by another bottle. The other thing
is the amount of stray, skinny dogs. Here, the presence of dogs is not really a
pet with another mouth to feed. From our experiences, if owned they are
strictly for protection, and help save crops and livestock. Actually, it is
rather a reflection of the extremes of some of the pampering done by North
Americans and Japanese I have seen.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq-pezZjVBxx7vFedHPKsGc-hztYEApXUIHqHj6DGJKYAKRBJz0E0H_Y5w_x85psFU2_XydbcacEi7tONc2S7qak6sRMDBGJGfFullxJhd9LZUMaBMbnJSvG0_jWRSt1TXAqFXlEXl6k/s1600/DSCN2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq-pezZjVBxx7vFedHPKsGc-hztYEApXUIHqHj6DGJKYAKRBJz0E0H_Y5w_x85psFU2_XydbcacEi7tONc2S7qak6sRMDBGJGfFullxJhd9LZUMaBMbnJSvG0_jWRSt1TXAqFXlEXl6k/s320/DSCN2463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family works together to put food on the table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP2VE97PWT9cce3DLgLhPG-YSa-4L1DN0jrL0O43PW4e0VD1Xtr6T2QIps4-3oyrOszRN7KqjDPfYi8WQz65T_9k9OPKG3iep8YiVCy3Ma2LtYEV6ENVU5MdOwCun6eBHSod5hmrPSJ8/s1600/DSCN2466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP2VE97PWT9cce3DLgLhPG-YSa-4L1DN0jrL0O43PW4e0VD1Xtr6T2QIps4-3oyrOszRN7KqjDPfYi8WQz65T_9k9OPKG3iep8YiVCy3Ma2LtYEV6ENVU5MdOwCun6eBHSod5hmrPSJ8/s320/DSCN2466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert carving before our astounded eyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our final destination in Rabinal was at
another family, down a dirt place, and 30 degree sun. This family specialized
in the carving and painting of the Jicaro gourd. One of the family members who
introduced us, showed us the stages of their processes and carved out a
beautiful design had come to us in a police/security uniform only to quickly
change once proceeding through the processes. It is a multi-stage process
involving cleaning and removing, soaking, scraping, polishing with a specific
plant that comes from a mountain, soaking in black natural dyes, boiling this special read silk bugs for red
dye, then carving, from other conversations with other family members I found
out that their father had been killed in the Conflict, due to town member
giving false accusation, and still in this more recent generation had had the
same destruction happen with threatened neighbours who came and destroyed some
of their work.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I was overjoyed when San Carlos students wrote well wishes on the drumsticks I had picked up from the night before. Reflecting on the way back up, down and
around the mountains, I realized a recurring them from our destinations.
Despite how 'little' these families had, or how much trauma they have gone
through, they were still highly rich in family, generosity and skill. All times
there individuals had showed us up with their mastered skill and creativity. Whatever
kind of socio-economical difference, our dignity does not does not change . We
all unique and wonderful capabilities in the world, especially when we share and
work together.</span></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-9070079814314121722015-11-06T16:05:00.002-08:002015-11-06T16:07:48.877-08:00Human Osteology: Skeletons and remains to under Massacres and Injustice <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxBJyLVaM-PEgeZ7RTEwD0-PtuKMAm3Fd-3p81KwwiLfJMrM7ACRClTT9WJh1KLEa0MKqsnK78u3YXxX05EA9TbKz5qQbCuI_aWUpX9dM3e5eK2vKbCQnzICV-a3dOYeDZ5m48_IPhHk/s1600/e3bd3a308a6d6f8a62a4e2c2b60c9a9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxBJyLVaM-PEgeZ7RTEwD0-PtuKMAm3Fd-3p81KwwiLfJMrM7ACRClTT9WJh1KLEa0MKqsnK78u3YXxX05EA9TbKz5qQbCuI_aWUpX9dM3e5eK2vKbCQnzICV-a3dOYeDZ5m48_IPhHk/s320/e3bd3a308a6d6f8a62a4e2c2b60c9a9a.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anatomical Positions (very important and useful! )</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November 3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would have never thought I would have been able to put a skeleton
in order, in the right and left positions, and names of the bones. I can now
even go through the process narrowing down the age and sex of the remains! With the sharing of their
knowledge in Human Osteology, Erica, Amanda, Kalista and I spend the morning
upstairs analysing the three remains who were victims of massacre from the
Civil War. These remains are notably eroded due the way they were buried and
the kind of soil they laid in. Erica,
having some experience teaching in her Masters (now interning in L.A. doing tool
mark analysis in a morgue), gave the rest of us a refresher (myself, pretty
much a first timer). To start, there are three main progressions of trauma on
the body which forensic anthropologists look out for clues in case
identification: ante-mortem (before death), peri-mortem (the time around
death), and post-mortem (after the time of death). This includes whether there
is any form of heavy ware on the bones from hard work or arthritis, any prior
trauma or healing, what trauma killed the person, and what erosion or trauma to
the body after the death. Especially, when the victim is found in the remains
of bones or high erosion, the reliance on interview from families is critically
important in order to correctly identify the remains. These questions include,
their occupation, past medical history, any children, where last saw them, etc.
Before I had left for Guatemala, I had come across novel in Library and
Archives Canada, where I was able to grasp the insights of the field of which I
highly recommend: <i><a href="http://www.thebonewoman.com/" target="_blank">The Bone Woman: A Forensic Anthropologist's Search for Truth in the MassGraves of Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo</a> </i>by Clea Koff<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng_pWejc_lyR3hL61ND8h3zaIfKukgiteatqUGP0MtIjxBZrz3HEogAAnpcWI39Mz6CR3ddV2AYK8rOV-cVoEReQkFcC5VlEuxgVvetLbfd8WhgKD3Bkd_VF2X06zNwx2nAXcv7Vbs08/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng_pWejc_lyR3hL61ND8h3zaIfKukgiteatqUGP0MtIjxBZrz3HEogAAnpcWI39Mz6CR3ddV2AYK8rOV-cVoEReQkFcC5VlEuxgVvetLbfd8WhgKD3Bkd_VF2X06zNwx2nAXcv7Vbs08/s320/DSCN2260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is few step
process for ageing and sexing a skeleton and two main bones you focus on are the
skull and the pelvis (ribs and clavicle fusion are two other indicators to sex
and date). In summary on the processes, starting at the skull we analyse five
areas of the skull: the Nuchal Crest (bumpiness at back of skull, Mastoid
Process(length and shape back of skull), Supraorbital Margin (brow and eye
socket), Supraorbital Ridge/Glabella (brow/nose), and the Mental Eminence
(jaw). These areas are then measured from 1 (most feminine) to 5 (most
masculine). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBhb8UL80pV1TtxZ3U2XvDvUqFOiGsq3RZs_R6WMcns7tEnG1J98Oi0ZX185H844EG3Xd9aS-R1a3VeYCAcDVsZGZiFyZywdrh5O-VVx5oI9aJy-CdoZ4FG8xWcQor6zW4rP0r7gwgec/s1600/DSCN2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBhb8UL80pV1TtxZ3U2XvDvUqFOiGsq3RZs_R6WMcns7tEnG1J98Oi0ZX185H844EG3Xd9aS-R1a3VeYCAcDVsZGZiFyZywdrh5O-VVx5oI9aJy-CdoZ4FG8xWcQor6zW4rP0r7gwgec/s320/DSCN2267.JPG" width="240" /></a>Heading down to the pelvis, we seek out the other sex differences
in size and shape of the pelvis. In summary, a male has a thicker Ventral Arc,
while a female's longer. Looking at the subpubic concavity, males are generally
do not show dramatic concavity and edges
are straight or very slightly concave. Females are generally more concave and
thinner ridge. then looking at the medial aspect of the ischiopublic ramus,
where females have a a sharp edge while males the surface is fairly flat, broad
and blunt. Furthermore, one would look at the stages of fusion the pelvic bones
are in to identify the age range, while positioned in their natural form, men
have a narrower/triangular pelvis, while women a wider, circular shape for
childbirth. Anthropologists can also confirm with clues with women sometimes
with the texture and erosion from the amount of times gave birth from wear. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVhCZFGPzagq7IJQxgpiUWMg2S9YRAElTU61ExoNdCAxEQIAqDtbzLdadRRMNQBOXPcJG0Gd_A6Z4b0E-H910ZamlL-oLqwmgHF6sMyf4Qq2Mrj54J4VVka61YGoDxns-h8IDFkynJEo/s1600/DSCN2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVhCZFGPzagq7IJQxgpiUWMg2S9YRAElTU61ExoNdCAxEQIAqDtbzLdadRRMNQBOXPcJG0Gd_A6Z4b0E-H910ZamlL-oLqwmgHF6sMyf4Qq2Mrj54J4VVka61YGoDxns-h8IDFkynJEo/s320/DSCN2261.JPG" width="320" /></a>From our analysis, it was confirmed that the remains were of
one female and two males at the age of 19-25, which could be confirmed by
seeing that their bones had not fully fused. I had gotten the heads up that it
was impressive how fast I understood, despite having the least official
training! In addition to, the femur,
while the best places to acquire DNA and bone marrow, also aids identifying a
estimate height of the person. Although, as anthropologists working in
Guatemala and other Central and South American countries, much of the data on
bones is outdated and limited in ethnic and racial diversity. For the only
official documentation for comparison is European and Asian. This has become a
notable barrier in confirming accuracy in identifying Hispanic or Maya bodies
because there is so much variation in size, stature and bone density. Like
Cristian and other practising forensic anthropologists in this region emphasize
on the importance in creating and generating official research into new manual
to accurately identify these ethnic groups; work and research for our newer
generations to get into the works of (Hint Hint)! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gKRTn0d5OOFI-9d-wQqWhyphenhyphenO8GymOQQNzBTxVXjvI0KMKSw6ydjwc68-rhpl2vLRKc8IMJX0rNk9gCPcd6cQoFUB1OeJin2ikQP4j9C2FzIrbxyKkEtFlUp7OIBeaY8fe5QGqq4996KQ/s1600/DSCN2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gKRTn0d5OOFI-9d-wQqWhyphenhyphenO8GymOQQNzBTxVXjvI0KMKSw6ydjwc68-rhpl2vLRKc8IMJX0rNk9gCPcd6cQoFUB1OeJin2ikQP4j9C2FzIrbxyKkEtFlUp7OIBeaY8fe5QGqq4996KQ/s320/DSCN2262.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to give some further context, EFI-IFIFT acquires the remains, only once families first
confrontation them that they would like the assistance to find and identify
their family members. Then they follow through further processes of interviews
and geo-locating the estimated area for dig sites. In other cases, the families
themselves (almost always far too poor to have access to the legal and
technical methods), have to pay the government fees to keep the case open.
Although, the directors of EFI-IFIFT, have separated themselves from other
similar organizations, on working on helping covering the fees for the poor
families, on the moral that everyone should have equal access to justice. Meanwhile,
funding is always a necessity in order to uncover the cases in a timely
fashion. Currently, such cases can take up to months, to years, if not ever.
For the Guatemalans families who have suffered these horrendous losses, time is
very much money. And the reality of how long it can take, with the lack of
funds on either end; of the families and then organizations to uncover the
crimes against these families. For the families, time is very much money, when
they only live off a few <i>quetzales </i> for whole large families, who have lost their
family members to help provide. Taking the time off to file in the process of
identification, is a tremendous sacrifice that many cannot afford.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://efi-ifift.org/en/donate/">http://efi-ifift.org/en/donate/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARu1WiYl9h8rdVqWUB4uwo7RyMfZazX6A82J0hSNWGoCeHIM8TfTbG_vZd7wqEZRsR4m-qIEDzvVUjR0_Wka0MJqZEcQ_5gYOL8a3Rxr5mA_n_5Z2SsuJ_xzkC1dErjCDsh1f_f7qgr8/s1600/DSCN2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARu1WiYl9h8rdVqWUB4uwo7RyMfZazX6A82J0hSNWGoCeHIM8TfTbG_vZd7wqEZRsR4m-qIEDzvVUjR0_Wka0MJqZEcQ_5gYOL8a3Rxr5mA_n_5Z2SsuJ_xzkC1dErjCDsh1f_f7qgr8/s320/DSCN2264.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-17249149085294235602015-11-05T15:59:00.001-08:002015-11-21T16:29:20.380-08:00Por que estomos estamos? (Why are we the way we are?)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>November 2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj8IOZ_2z8Qh58h7kSMFZOcwSo31bsfwzKKnDW59kLm-wmalGMgmo6I1PCNY2nSn58LKVmMA-6_kNjVwHCg-eyGOD0IHX15HNc4Ux7wibC8Ntem7Gym51FTDP4idQyQbDOIRUc2lT6LE/s1600/DSCN2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj8IOZ_2z8Qh58h7kSMFZOcwSo31bsfwzKKnDW59kLm-wmalGMgmo6I1PCNY2nSn58LKVmMA-6_kNjVwHCg-eyGOD0IHX15HNc4Ux7wibC8Ntem7Gym51FTDP4idQyQbDOIRUc2lT6LE/s320/DSCN2238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Por que estomos estamos? Exhibit, Guatemala City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Morning breakfast Cristian
took us to his favourite couple's daily eatery <i>La Casa de los Melazas</i> with beans, scrambled eggs and boiled
plantain. From there we took a 30 minute walk to the interactive exhibit <i>Exposcion Interactiva: Por que estomos
estamos? </i>(Why are we the way we are?) located beside rail road station
museum. Collaborated with <a href="http://www.iiars.org/" target="_blank">Por una convivencia digna/ International Training Institute for Social Reconciliation</a> and <a href="http://cirma.org.gt/glifos/index.php/P%C3%A1gina_principal" target="_blank">Centro de investigacianes negionales de mesoamerica</a><i>, </i>the original content was a research paper found to be so
important the content needed to be shared. It is important to be shared in
order to help locals open up about their trauma, and to understand how their history
has continued with the outward prejudism and discrimination that has led to so
much violence and segregation. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D6oA6xOATvbRpreSf8ymDeKdba81LhmWHEIHBXSMp-sxgx6BGzE-puf_ddgMTsVQen1GDF7C2Oo_NFFFT3bGBSmJ4NZncmPyJdQHpZ3GqQ2MvAx6RlPlDSzp-bYXW1tFU6F7wRJi0Og/s1600/DSCN2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D6oA6xOATvbRpreSf8ymDeKdba81LhmWHEIHBXSMp-sxgx6BGzE-puf_ddgMTsVQen1GDF7C2Oo_NFFFT3bGBSmJ4NZncmPyJdQHpZ3GqQ2MvAx6RlPlDSzp-bYXW1tFU6F7wRJi0Og/s320/DSCN2198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"How do you feel when they tell you..." Uncovering the predjudices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our guide took us through the journey of <u>how</u> outwardly Guatemalan social
structures are <u>visually discriminate</u> based on appearance and dress. For
example, from pigment of skin colour to clothing, a female dressed in more
traditional clothing may not be permitted to enter a service or entertainment
establishment on the basis on her appearance in assumption that she is just a <i>maria, </i>a domestic housewife, while in one case in particular, she was highly
educated. If she was wearing more modern
cloths at the time she <i>may</i> have been
granted access. Even though most of the
population is 'native' Guatemalan, there continues to be a huge disparity
control that has not faltered since the 500 years of Spanish conquistadors' divide and
conquer. Our guide further explains how throughout history, the government and
other forces have gained control and power over groups through this empty racist
and discriminatory justifications. That is why still today, if you are deemed
indigenous you automatically earn less, indigenous women even less, and black women
even worse than that. Worst of all, this has not changed for decades, with only
4% access to health care.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGZSmV4oZbHtokpBEFx7Lkxo_2i8wQBJK8EjxDCDE4r-LHTpp7g3kQSbS3PqRsM9qQ8E4FB3DiiTLmBq1duyoKHQePFzPMSfIriVCV2sKcWajkQJ2NegxLXHsvLF-ptuJrqoG26UXmmU/s1600/DSCN2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGZSmV4oZbHtokpBEFx7Lkxo_2i8wQBJK8EjxDCDE4r-LHTpp7g3kQSbS3PqRsM9qQ8E4FB3DiiTLmBq1duyoKHQePFzPMSfIriVCV2sKcWajkQJ2NegxLXHsvLF-ptuJrqoG26UXmmU/s320/DSCN2204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hop on the "chicken bus" and see the clash of classes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We further toured through the historical aspect of <u>why</u>
we are who we are. Like so many other countries the effects of colonization and
the drawing of political borders has destroyed past cultural cooperation and
understanding. The process of colonization has also detrimentally effected the acceptance
of diversity of Guatemalans. For there are over 23 distinct cultures and
languages for centuries, but since Spanish was introduced, services on the
other languages and cultures have been refused excluded in social serves as
health care and education, and thus continuing to impoverish these groups. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr7eaGmEU6IKq8LoqBVVzC21dhFzXJs5v6AbgqlvBHXeakOFUitnr-_IeDiFu8v_JwIcrqozDMv8PGL2vAa9cF4Zy8woZXv8hsx_9I_qVhdV90roYqADmcNBwdhbQojFJLxn0QakzJjU/s1600/DSCN2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr7eaGmEU6IKq8LoqBVVzC21dhFzXJs5v6AbgqlvBHXeakOFUitnr-_IeDiFu8v_JwIcrqozDMv8PGL2vAa9cF4Zy8woZXv8hsx_9I_qVhdV90roYqADmcNBwdhbQojFJLxn0QakzJjU/s320/DSCN2211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Worldwide there are groups who suffer discrimination and racism", including Canadian First Nations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore,
from the amount of censorship, Guatemalans only really have access to one
narrative of official history. This, like it has for Canadians has dramatically
affected our perceptions and prejudices of certain groups. In these cases the
first nations and indigenous' narratives have been misinterpreted and misjudged
by the ignorance of the past who called their ways of life savage. For the
Spanish minority had created and enforced new laws separating and segregating
groups of peoples into a vastly unequal hierarchy, and yet over 500 years later
these laws and social segregation continues to go unchanged and highly controlled, similar to the very
reason there is still no fresh water in
the country because Coca-Cola controls their water industry. It has gotten to
the point where native heritage has been treated so negatively throughout history that when someone
identifies as a Ladino expressing " I am Ladino because I am <i>not </i>indigenous". </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiF8NmofQATQgsKzNdtnRhg-Qw3h9q9WDuqhKzsA3s6cOEnrbg3oGUf-gWV3czldeLH2WcRuB2i80JUCi6JogwiHERNdKl1g45uT1bW7j92dkUSF3jHqQajnLD3KdC2gIAnNfElYungk/s1600/DSCN2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiF8NmofQATQgsKzNdtnRhg-Qw3h9q9WDuqhKzsA3s6cOEnrbg3oGUf-gWV3czldeLH2WcRuB2i80JUCi6JogwiHERNdKl1g45uT1bW7j92dkUSF3jHqQajnLD3KdC2gIAnNfElYungk/s320/DSCN2220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Where indigenous peoples lived when the Spanish arrived"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The past most definitely
continues to impact the present and future. Even from the original Missions
that came to the country, had the
presumption that if you were darker skinned you were closer to Hell, which then
led to the passing of the laws which did not allow the indigenous groups to own
tools or weapons, land and other necessities of progressive life, leaving them
vulnerable, underdevelopment, to helplessness. No wonder there have been so
many guerilla groups and freedom fighters . </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seen during the Industrial Revolution, the governments had pushed for more European
overseas migrants so to blend the races to get a 'purer', 'whiter' race of
peoples. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuL6cPHk7-Yh0jcI3r1pAstWXC6fuJEf_WkeFbOhH_FG-AgyZQFlMTyR_ms7LWqAC4eWuLVPEMP3AD5CnDEoxPeZ9i3OxLfm0yNMVWYQeiebt-DhWQn0VJZ06dpagZKgDrYLH6q_OCgQ/s1600/DSCN2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuL6cPHk7-Yh0jcI3r1pAstWXC6fuJEf_WkeFbOhH_FG-AgyZQFlMTyR_ms7LWqAC4eWuLVPEMP3AD5CnDEoxPeZ9i3OxLfm0yNMVWYQeiebt-DhWQn0VJZ06dpagZKgDrYLH6q_OCgQ/s320/DSCN2224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The colony left us a society which it values people by their origin and colour"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This all the while, passing laws and propaganda for the blacks and
indigenous to work the migrants property, and giving them very little opportunity
to fully develop their potential. And even since the Civil War (1960-1996),
where the mass killings had taken place, their governments have limited the
freedom of speech and social setting have not allowed them to talk about it; a
part of contemporary history highly censored, that so many do not know about.
From this lack of communication that revolves around the now embedded fear,
distrust and corruption, today's circle of violence and abuse continues on
beyond the '96 Peace Accord.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi6_0RQYiQvBGinl6uz-cFbn0chKjuo6lHeacujxSYQ57DFAXi2s4yGrlSQFqB1wiqzGjmSRB6iqHQ-PdjBJnvzE6rKt7PAWJqxoKnbK0Fu95h8-NYqr9lfnG6Kcrtc5N89xbgGB0_tI/s1600/DSCN2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi6_0RQYiQvBGinl6uz-cFbn0chKjuo6lHeacujxSYQ57DFAXi2s4yGrlSQFqB1wiqzGjmSRB6iqHQ-PdjBJnvzE6rKt7PAWJqxoKnbK0Fu95h8-NYqr9lfnG6Kcrtc5N89xbgGB0_tI/s320/DSCN2225.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second from the bottom: Castas people given the name translated "I don't understand you"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, the violence has not stopped. Femicide, the targeted
murder of the female sex, is at its high. As it was and is practised in this
strict patriarchal structure, Guatemalan women are placed in a protective
sphere by the males of the families, but also within this repressive structure,
women and their bodies are placed in the line of fire against male family
members by perpetrators, continuing a cycle of abuse, gender-based violence and
impunity (Sanford 2008: 71) . <i>Testimonios</i>
of the majority of the violations towards women depict no regard for the
suffering of their own bodies, instead their concern is for their fathers,
spouses, and sons. Women have suffered similar oppression as men; the
difference, according to Paredes (2006: 49), is that Maya and Ladino women are
not owners of their bodies. Anthropologist Lévi-Strauss states that women are
the community's “goods” and as such they are subject to use and changes.
(Silva, 2007, 88). The violence against women has perpetuated from the from the <i>machismo</i>
gender role prevalent in Latin American; a male stereotype that is
characterized or recognizable as a form of “male pride that combines
courage…with an aggressive maleness that may also take the prestigious form of
the successful pursuit of women, while other characteristics include
drunkenness, individualness, and competitiveness (Hardin 2002: 2). In fact,
these characteristics of <i>machismo</i> are
traits or remnants left over by the Spanish, as a product of the conquest
(Hardin 2002: 3). The Spanish were known throughout Europe to use sexual forms of
violence as forms of terror against those they sought to intimidate and conquer. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7uEbfse8g9lvoZQZxerd4cyX5sedN9A2pnbW7zG_g0D260TnteWTajR1P0HfSYDjtofh91YhQonDKYt8GuCoj04Qjf6WkQRV3bu8fEpdK6zRB23F5amoJIZRtlIO7vtmZ5QgmYEIvxw/s1600/DSCN2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7uEbfse8g9lvoZQZxerd4cyX5sedN9A2pnbW7zG_g0D260TnteWTajR1P0HfSYDjtofh91YhQonDKYt8GuCoj04Qjf6WkQRV3bu8fEpdK6zRB23F5amoJIZRtlIO7vtmZ5QgmYEIvxw/s320/DSCN2227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Inequality is the desire to see a great world in which one cannot enter"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coinciding <span style="; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ideas for
women, <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>marianismo</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> include those of feminine passivity
and sexual purity, are which are taught through society to remain dependent,
and holding these women vulnerable, and very limited to stand up for
themselves, be paid equally, and treated equally in society.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>These traits continue to
be seem and dominated around the world, and as long as it continues to be reinforced
and perpetuated, you will continue to see such violence, rape and disrespect
between men and women. The circle of violence continues through our pressures and
acceptance of these gender specific roles, of which we are all held accountable.
I will leave you with some final
reminders our guide reminded the
audience of how to address these problems as a society: to start early/young, start questioning why
and how we are who we are, and until you get answers, learn the history so you
can better present yourself and your understanding. For we cannot gain peace as
an individual until we can as a whole.</div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-17776987582530297382015-11-05T13:29:00.001-08:002015-11-05T13:30:19.613-08:00Guatemala Days of the Dead: Dia de los ñatitas<div class="MsoNormal">
October 31 -November 1</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyyPuhQ6bP12wxl95wN_DzMQmJWBc6Dqst1sHnzYM6GKonKEw0pOoQeX32DLH8fEi6XsVAZAJoL9nipChf-0TZl5vJJtJmdUJDG_qoL4hvFvCFQwajhlPQO0Rff14hoQ-38ydzEW3Fa0/s1600/DSCN2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyyPuhQ6bP12wxl95wN_DzMQmJWBc6Dqst1sHnzYM6GKonKEw0pOoQeX32DLH8fEi6XsVAZAJoL9nipChf-0TZl5vJJtJmdUJDG_qoL4hvFvCFQwajhlPQO0Rff14hoQ-38ydzEW3Fa0/s320/DSCN2124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalista, Karli (Karletta), Erica, Amanda at Cemetario General de Guatemala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arriving
at the Guatemala City airport in the evening director Cristian Silva met me at the airport where we
hopped in a tiny taxi to headquarters in Zone 2. Located down the narrow streets
it is an old house for both our living quarters plus the offices and analysis
room where fragments of skeletons are layed out. The room beside our bunks have
two skeletons. I drop my things off and Cristian, Kalista, Amanda (who are from
Alberta), and Erica (from Los Angeles) head out for dinner around the cornerwherre
the local family restaurant was waiting to serve us roasted <i>pollo</i>. Kalista and Amanda have done
their undergrad in Archaeology while Erica is doing her masters in Forensics. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
next morning we stroll around looking for breakfast, where I have my first cups
of fresh black Guatemalan coffee and <i>Jamaica
</i>(hibiscus tea). We decide we would like to go to the large main cemetery
where families all over will be attending all day for the All-Saints Day/ Day
of the Dead holiday. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OwQ1IbD9hp2pT8VXmrlXAYU_dnW2bFK7pRbKiFdldOYmebh3f1u3DRYaz6CLsXfgjnAVjPCWd7S4edeRuWcSBb5Jm7_HIwV6ywPOMAVNFvbRui_MSF2zpOkMLbMQOV28NoMTeDXDaNY/s1600/DSCN2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OwQ1IbD9hp2pT8VXmrlXAYU_dnW2bFK7pRbKiFdldOYmebh3f1u3DRYaz6CLsXfgjnAVjPCWd7S4edeRuWcSBb5Jm7_HIwV6ywPOMAVNFvbRui_MSF2zpOkMLbMQOV28NoMTeDXDaNY/s320/DSCN2103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former loved President Jacabo Arbenz Gusman who had created the Agrairian Land Reform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cristian didn't feel comfortable with us walking through
some areas so called his reliable taxi of which we crammed into. Being the
shortest, I was dibbed for the rest of the day to lay across everyone so we
could all fit in to the tiny white taxi. Guatemala upside-down is an
interesting experience. Thousands of people paying their tributes, whole large
families pick-nicking beside their dead families, gorgeous flowers arrangements
being sold all around visualizes the importance of death rituals and respect
and memory for their loved ones. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO_joA_WC7gKguNZqHhX7qQoeT_6rA1txGLCM0XFrbH9dHh8ZxnJLWNmAybsfyXGn_ALOGwnrRqNmPtQkhdYP24PaZBpDQW2YA7UWZlJlm1ldqI8RSc4MVElx2VMPDodvK3vpjs7tpsE/s1600/DSCN2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO_joA_WC7gKguNZqHhX7qQoeT_6rA1txGLCM0XFrbH9dHh8ZxnJLWNmAybsfyXGn_ALOGwnrRqNmPtQkhdYP24PaZBpDQW2YA7UWZlJlm1ldqI8RSc4MVElx2VMPDodvK3vpjs7tpsE/s320/DSCN2105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The detail of the mausoleums were incredible,
some meticulously kept, others paint chipping or glass broken, even some open
and empty. A large banner reminds families that they must pay their cemetery
fees or else their family's bodies will be excavated and removed to make room
for others. Cristian runs into a <i>seῆor</i>
whom he had done some forensic excavating
with, gives us a little tour around and ask some questions he had insight from
as a local. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOgLkUOqQM59bKsDi_4G7cz3fnaQu6-g068w_MxaVm_KMna7BBaYkA8vCD3j6u4Eq8iKNMKCiMQ0xuTzXzmnX0KcixnsvkujpthZ9JoRaJsAzFOm_OQY5zaaf1oxQlL_wXAaTG6vioc4/s1600/DSCN2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOgLkUOqQM59bKsDi_4G7cz3fnaQu6-g068w_MxaVm_KMna7BBaYkA8vCD3j6u4Eq8iKNMKCiMQ0xuTzXzmnX0KcixnsvkujpthZ9JoRaJsAzFOm_OQY5zaaf1oxQlL_wXAaTG6vioc4/s320/DSCN2150.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6_SIWZYcu2Q-BIj8Y-KxO4Lz9PM_se7Q8IioYm9A-4l5BvxGt6kec_GnGIUr8YF0SteWj4S-Zv5lgCYqZJQmdXJ29Y-WIps8uGQLYqx7I3CkFr-CtHJagV24qaKj7wFez9XAmRkaA3c/s1600/DSCN2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6_SIWZYcu2Q-BIj8Y-KxO4Lz9PM_se7Q8IioYm9A-4l5BvxGt6kec_GnGIUr8YF0SteWj4S-Zv5lgCYqZJQmdXJ29Y-WIps8uGQLYqx7I3CkFr-CtHJagV24qaKj7wFez9XAmRkaA3c/s320/DSCN2109.JPG" width="320" /></a>We walk though the high walls of rows of catacombs, some numbers in
red point we guess the ones who have not paid while many to do with the missing
family members and unsolved cases since the Civil War. Walking over some garbage piles we get to the
edge of the cliff where we overlook the vast abyss of garbage dumps below, some
ant-sized individuals are sifting through, while tents pitched on the side. The
mix of smells of rotting garbage and sweet flowers definitely provides an
intricate aroma. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Piling
back into the tiny taxi, we head back to the base to get refreshed in plans to
head out to experience the ritzy VIP movie theater while lazy boy couches and
food service. It felt rather uncomforting while a few blocks down more
impoverished area. The film turned out to be (in my opinion) extremely fitting
to the fear and violence experienced here in Guatemala. While this was set in a
mass uprising in Thailand, an American
family is the target in the psychological thriller <i>No Escape </i>with Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnon. It reminded me how
universal fear is for everyone, fear for one's own safety and one's family for
survival. It was for me a humbling and empathic reminder of just exactly these
lost souls would have felt before they were slaughtered and the fear that
embedded the society of Guatemala and around the world, no matter what race,
ethnicity or socio-economic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_YKIAOV7XQg7_PPNcIw1HPZyDfW_LkQEx4goCxNwNI5KDBGHEDegL679HJDUGCjiqGkYaTNO8mjw5bNLy01gG2K_5oHASn3D1E1BonTJGMM4xGqVs23akYbRmIkUPqUL-6RrEf08T9o/s1600/DSCN2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_YKIAOV7XQg7_PPNcIw1HPZyDfW_LkQEx4goCxNwNI5KDBGHEDegL679HJDUGCjiqGkYaTNO8mjw5bNLy01gG2K_5oHASn3D1E1BonTJGMM4xGqVs23akYbRmIkUPqUL-6RrEf08T9o/s320/DSCN2162.JPG" width="320" /></a>Some of the others did not seem so humbled by the
fact that this was very much a similar case as to where exactly we living in
for the month, while Cristian really did try to explain that it was indeed a
very realistic scenario. I believe that was what led us to have an open
discussion when back about the horrid extent of violence people will exert
upon each other. And for what? Fear, the ingrained distrust, and disrespect for
others, are indeed factors. Some were having a hard time grasping their heads
around the madness, while Cristian decided to bring out some photographs or
freshly mutilated bodies, some 13-16 years old, faces cut open with machetes,
strangled, dis-embowled, and bent backwards. Meanwhile, the police, either not
caring, corrupted or just not properly trained, pull the bodies by their feet
off the scene of the crime which crushes the forensics' evidence, and while no
one will give the truth as witness because fear of being ratted out. Definitely</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmzBu1aSfDNzPzVyx9t7d0moIZg0KY62-KJzuUCS773HLpXeBikrwHNdfsuXrbi6SS3WdkBAQMW7gbu5qmnxF8IJhKpkpXoD8H8kuXxGwouaTKlotx3-qsg2GZMUaxr3XG71k1haUE4o/s1600/DSCN2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmzBu1aSfDNzPzVyx9t7d0moIZg0KY62-KJzuUCS773HLpXeBikrwHNdfsuXrbi6SS3WdkBAQMW7gbu5qmnxF8IJhKpkpXoD8H8kuXxGwouaTKlotx3-qsg2GZMUaxr3XG71k1haUE4o/s320/DSCN2180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
a great insight into the results of the lack of justice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718847342832529279.post-81002710395068862062015-10-29T18:44:00.001-07:002015-11-05T19:47:10.279-08:00Into the Real World and Reality : Off To Field Work in Guatemala Uncovering the Mass Graves of GenocideHave you ever experienced the pain of not being able to say goodbye to someone, or even worse, not knowing if your family, friends or loved ones are alive or deceased? Even if you thankfully have not experienced this, you can imagine just what it would be like. Mass atrocities of group persecution that have amounted to a genocide have happened and continue to be committed around the world, far beyond WWII's Holocaust . The most unfortunate part is that they are preventable and would not happen at all if we did not continue to discriminate, promote hate speech or blame groups.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiLKlF28soNZ2Lbg5dBk7nvnD5gp_vRJne-MrQL0c572O1KlnPnK_GCSJn3moIaot_f7TnV6WgbANijuU73RgU412jlUoVdxGauZJCowU9bZdUxYYKFoBNE22NwaAhCA9Bv_AOzbSy0k/s1600/images%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiLKlF28soNZ2Lbg5dBk7nvnD5gp_vRJne-MrQL0c572O1KlnPnK_GCSJn3moIaot_f7TnV6WgbANijuU73RgU412jlUoVdxGauZJCowU9bZdUxYYKFoBNE22NwaAhCA9Bv_AOzbSy0k/s1600/images%25283%2529.jpg" /></a>Recently I was accepted into a November field work and training in uncovering intentionally-hidden Guatemalan mass graves, and to learn intensively on how to best document in acquiring evidence to these mass atrocities. The <a href="http://efi-ifift.org/en/" target="_blank">International Field Initiatives and Forensic Training</a> is multi-disciplinary initiative which supports the justice system and moreover to help provide a sense of closure to the families who have lived in morning and fear for their lives for decades of which their state has failed to do so. Providing support and reconciliation to those affected by genocide, particularly the Mayan indigenous who have been under continuous persecution and near extermination, is imperative to the healing and mourning process. It is important because like around the world fear and grievance continue the cycle of violence and conflict. Prominently occurred during the country's Civil War (1960-1996), internationally it has been neglected to consider that just because a declared war has stopped does not mean the violence and pain has stopped.<br />
<br />
Below is an excerpt from International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (1948):<br />
"Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious groups, as such:<br />
(a) Killing members of the group;<br />
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;<br />
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;<br />
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;<br />
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.<br />
Article III: The following acts shall be punishable:<br />
(a) Genocide;<br />
(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;<br />
(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;<br />
(d) Attempt to commit genocide;<br />
(e) Complicity in genocide. "<br />
<br />
So Why EFI-IFIT?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWy0nH6mFxqFuqXzE3nsRDi8FNL__4NpQTan3TNGnLt-xZOuq_rGp7zdwgWicDfQwjHPzvp2NK9Ufk7_s2ZntKLx7-G1s46HHBXMOL6ifSg_-i2TIuY17zN0ZIOOe54baaHFWC8jLDz8/s1600/DSC_01351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWy0nH6mFxqFuqXzE3nsRDi8FNL__4NpQTan3TNGnLt-xZOuq_rGp7zdwgWicDfQwjHPzvp2NK9Ufk7_s2ZntKLx7-G1s46HHBXMOL6ifSg_-i2TIuY17zN0ZIOOe54baaHFWC8jLDz8/s320/DSC_01351.jpg" width="320" /></a>Over the course of completing my undergrad in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, I have become increasingly aware of how much I feel the drive to work hands-on in this field by actively making a difference in improving not just individual's lives but for societies as a whole. Being made of the current global concerns in peace and conflict resolution initiatives, I have been seeking out realistic and attainable initiatives and career work. I had learned about the International Field Initiatives and Forensic Training from a couple fellow participants in the<a href="http://www.ideas-idees.ca/media/events/3rd-annual-professional-training-program-prevention-mass-atrocities" target="_blank"> Third Annual Professional Training Program on the Prevention of Mass Atrocities</a>, where we had the pleasure of meeting Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire and discuss initiates on child soldiers, the use of hate speech in media in provoking cases of genocide, Boko Haram and ISIS. After researching the program and weighing the options, it was the first time I really felt that this was for me, combining perfectly my interest in archaeology, human right protection, forensics, and counselling.<br />
<br />
I look foreward to sharing my learning and experience with you!<br />
PLEASE Tune In!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Karli Zschognerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701001705997605955noreply@blogger.com1