Hi everyone!
Firstly, I just wanted to say that it was an absolute pleasure learning with you all this semester and I am going to miss this class very much! It was such a great learning environment and class/discussions were always a highlight of my week:)
This week in Unit 6, I was lucky to be assigned to read about the Zapotec written by Cynthia, Fernanda, Natalia, and Ili. They did a fantastic job and after reading their blog I felt like I learned so much!
Before reading this lecture blog, I hadn’t any prior knowledge regarding the Zapotec, so I’m glad for the opportunity to gain a better insight on doing so. I found the Zapotec peoples to be such a compelling group, particularly in the ways in which they are affected by globalization. I was specifically so amazed by the concept of “Usos y Custombres,” the system used in Oaxaca that is “primarily based on reciprocity, compromise, consent and discourse.” But as mentioned in the blog, this system that strives to recognize indigenous diversity in Mexico is overpowered by that of capitalism and neoliberalist intervention due to globalization. This lecture informs readers how the desire for economic prosperity in Mexico is supplemented with foreign investment and other efforts of economic development, therefore threatening indigenous way of life in terms of political consensus, land rights, and proper representation. Globalization has also affected the foodways of the Zapotec by having their land threatened, therefore giving an incentive for urban mobility and creates an outward migration flow.
Of course, when discussing the effects of globalization and the Zapotec we cannot leave out NAFTA: a trade policy agreement that promised to bring prosperity, improved life, and modernity, but ultimately threatens Zapotec way of life and is a main cause for the outward migration flow mentioned above. This is mostly due to the elimination of trade barriers and any tariffs and political tensions that came before the implementation of NAFTA. Elimination of tariffs creating a free market? Doesn’t this sound great for everyone? If you are thinking from a neoliberal theoretical approach, it sure does, but the issue at hand is that NAFTA undoubtedly had negative and harmful effects on indigenous populations, especially the Zapotec. The US exported large amounts of GMO corn to Mexico, threatening part of the milpa that is produced and has beforehand been unphased by outside agricultural intervention. Even for those who have tried to resist these harmful measures as well as the general idea of globalization, colonial practices from the past and the currents of globalization threaten traditional agricultural practices and even result in some indigenous communities turning to commercialized methods and crops as an attempt for greater economic gain since they realized it is hard to compete against the system that doesn’t benefit them as promised.
Overall, this lecture was so interesting and I really enjoyed every minute of this class! Thank you to everyone:) See you around.
Feel free to keep in touch with me! @/aashley.hhaines
