I had heard about Rigoberta Menchú before in another class when we were discussing indigeneity in Latin America, although we didn’t go much in-depth and I didn’t know much about who she was and what she did. Therefore, before reading this week’s book I did a bit of research about her and her trajectory as an activist. This way I also learned a bit more about Guatemala and its indigenous population, and how Rigoberta fought for the rights of the indigenous and received a Nobel Prize. Knowing all of this information prior to reading supported me in better understanding the themes in the text and her story as a whole. Moreover, as an International Relations student who is studying related topics, knowing Rigoberta’s character and accomplishments made me look forward to learning more about her and her fight.
This book is an autobiography of Rigoberta Menchu and her testimony as an activist for indigenous and women human rights. Throughout the text, we learn about her childhood in a Maya village in Guatemala where she and her family faced extreme poverty. The author explains she had to start working at a very young age to contribute to the support of her family, which were jobs in very bad conditions and with very low pay. Also during her childhood, she faced discriminatory and racist attitudes from non-indigenous people in Guatemala, which was her main motivation to later become an activist and defend indigenous rights and freedoms.
Despite the treatment that Rigoberta and the people in her community faced, which made me feel very furious and upset, I also loved the sense of community that you get when you are reading about her family and the indigenous culture of the Mayas. Overall, I expanded my knowledge of Mayan culture through her explanations about her heritage and many small traditions and ceremonies she talks about in the book. The author’s parents had a strong commitment to preserving language and cultural values, and also participated in political and activist movements, which also probably triggered her motivation to be an activist.
Do you think this book and Rigoberta’s life story contributed to raise awareness about the indigenous rights movement in Guatemala at an international level? How?
To answer your question, I could say yes, especially because of the repercussions their recognitions have had. If you think about it, it is difficult to become the voice of these struggles in Guatemala. Although she emphasizes the community level of their social demands, it is very difficult to listen to them if they do not come from a specific person, with whom we can empathize. The level of scrutiny to which Menchú has been subjected now passes through the mass media and opens a new battlefront for her, another unexpected result of her international figure.
Hi Julia,
to answer your question I believe that yes is a definite answer from my part! I think that the presence of such book in the literary world is an opportunity for people all around the world to learn about this situation in Guatemala. Taking this class as an example, apart from being in another country other than Guatemala, our backgrounds are very different, which makes this awareness experience an international matter. What do you think?
Hi Julia,
I enjoyed reading your blog. To answer your discussion question, I believe Rigoberta Menchu’s story has raised awareness about the indigenous rights movement in Guatemala at an international level due to the popularity of the book and later Menchu’s Nobel Prize award for her indigenous rights activism. There are stories in history that get left out or are less prevailing in common discourse. Roberta’s story shed light on human rights violations and other problems indigenous people in Guatemala experienced, bringing attention and collaboration for the cause.