A Sense of Guatemala

1.Fischer and Hendrickson speaks of the importance of identity. Notice how the whole beginning speaks of the two major ethnic groups (Indians and ladinos). How do you think this notion will effect you in Guatemala? Do you think this notion applies to your life in Hawaii?
I am part of a very ethnically diverse family. My mom is half Native American, and a mix of different European ethnicitys ( mainly English and Irish). My dad is Tongan, Samoan, Chinese, French, German, Swiss and Portuguese. So pretty much I'm a little bit of almost everything. I have never really felt out of place, although sometimes I get the feeling that I could fit in everywhere but at the same time nowhere. I wonder what people in Guatemala will think about a person like me. From the article it seems like you are either indigenous or not. I found it interesting that it talks about how an indigenous person can make the switch into ladino life, but not vice versa.
Throughout my time living in Hawaii I have seen beautiful example of how different peoples and cultures can live together and thrive. I have also seen examples of the opposite. People here are very proud of their cultures and often that gets in the way things.

2. The authors articulate specific things that really begin to define who and what Guatemala is. What is your reaction to how they portray Guatemala? Would you have chosen something else? why or why not?
What the authors said about Guatemala was an eye opener for me. It is interesting and irritating that the government is so hypocritical. Everything they use to attract attention and visitors to the country are all things that they look down upon in real life. They use the native people and culture only as a way to present the country in an exotic, appealing way to the outside world. I like the way that the portrayed Guatemala because it is very real and revealing.

3. What is your reaction to the U.S involvement in the War?
My reaction is one of extreme frustration and disappointment. We could have helped prevent many innocent lives from dying but instead we made it worse. It wasn't our place to step in especially since we didn't have the facts right. It was a stupid mistake, at least I hope it was a mistake.

4. Do some research on Bishop Juan Geradi. Speak to what you know and understand about who he was and how he formed Guatemala.
Bishop Juan Geradi seems to me to be a man of great courage. He was a Roman Catholic Priest and an avid human rights activist. He went to great lengths to speak out against the inhumanities committed during Guatemalas civil war and tried to bring about the truth. His efforts eventually got him killed. He was murdered shortly after releasing an human rights report that contained information about human rights abuses that had been committed during the war.