My Spanish conversation class veers toward politics somewhat regularly, which can be a bit touchy. The other people in my class are a Nebraska school teacher from a very small town, and a Swiss soldier who definitely leans right. Our instructor pretty much keeps his politics to himself, but is clearly annoyed by the fact that his 15 minute commute can turn into a two hour journey thanks to the latest bloqueo.Guys. It is completely legal to block roads/entrance into important buildings whenever and wherever a group can round up enough people to do so. Right now, there are hundreds of teachers camped out in the Zócalo, the main square and tourist center in Oaxaca. They're sleeping under tents and tarps, on inflatable mattresses and on cardboard. No one knows exactly how long they'll be there; it all depends on how quickly they can come to an agreement on salaries, etc. This occupation isn't raising any eyebrows in Oaxaca, though. It's an annual occurrence, and generally peaceful.
That's not to say that political violence is unheard of, though. Our instructor actually laughed when the Nebraskan and I mentioned Kent State. Apparently four fatalities is not particularly impressive to a Oaxaqueño.
(Not my photo, btw. Pulled it off the internets... think it's from 2009.)
I'll see your 4 and raise you 20?
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about the demonstrations at Kent State in 1970? Smug as it may be, I can see why he laughed.
The fact that this is even still a meaningful event today says volumes about what we consider noteworthy abuses of armed forces against domestic civilians - or how often they happen.
Hardly ever, the Mexicans would say?
g.