1.) What is your reaction to the fact that she is only twenty-three years old when she was interviewed for the book? Imagine someone having to live throught that much.
I think it's very powerful. Just the fact that she's seen and been through so many things really inspires me. For someone to take all those tramatic tragedies and make something significant from them at a young age is amazing. She was willing to learn the spanish language to defend her people. For a women especially in a country like Guatemala, to fight for justice, is something of great courage a determination.
2.) The interviewer explains, "Words are her only weapons." She continues later to articulate, "She is fighting for the recognition of her culture, for the acceptance of the fact that it is different and for her people's rightful share of power." What is your reaction to this? Have you encountered something similar? If so, how did it feel? If not, what do you think it would be like?
Rigoberta Menchu's words were her biggest weapons. Her words and purpose was what made her a big icon to the indegenous people in Guatemala. My reaction to this made me think of other historical time periods when other groups like the African-Americans, American-Indians, and even early colonist in America sought for equal right from their government. I've never been through what they went through but I know it would be a long struggle for justice.
3.) The interviewer specifically points out the difference between acculturation and imposing culture on someone else. Do you think that Hawaii experienced something similar to this?
When white missionaries came to Hawaii, they taught the people to be more Christian-like because they saw the Hawaiian culture as savage and demonic. They forced the Hawaiians to change almost everything of who they were. They were forbidden to speak their native language and forced to become people who they weren't. The missionaries had made them to Christians so the Hawaiian culture was nearly lost. I would say the Hawaii has experienced something similar to what the interviewer discusses.
4.) What are your thoughts on the preservation of culture?
The preservation of culture is important to me because it's an identity of who you are and where you came from. There will be some changes over time but knowing your culture and having a strong understanding of your ancestry is important because it is what shapes you as an individual.
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