BLOG #2 DEAR VICTIM

Dear Victim,

I understand what you are going thru. The circumstances in which you experienced have been difficult to overcome. Life has not been easy, but yet you have been strong. It is not easy to forget what was done to our family and friends in the Rio Negro Village in Guatemala. I do admire you for not giving up hopes and desires to have a better community, even if it is difficult to keep the Mayan culture and values alive. Many things can change within time, but this could take time. With our dedication to find change anything is possible.

This has been a horrified experience for me because my family was tortured and we were forced to hide. My family was stressed; we did not know what route to take. Our human rights were being violated in one way or another. I became involved in the Human Rights movement because I want more individuals to understand their rights. We need to educate each other so that these tragedies don’t occur again within our community. We can stop this because we are human and our voice counts as much as anyone else.

Being a victim has helped me become a better individual and encourage people to speak their minds. Being involved with this movement has helped me recover from intimidation to our culture and our beliefs. Mayan violence continues for oppressor on Spanish conquest and it looks as if there was no end to this situation. Our story is related because many individuals see us as ignorant and Indians. We have also gone thru a lot of suffering, for the only reason that we are not a large population. Many don’t understand that we have the same values and rights as they do.

Being involved with the Human Rights Movement has helped me encourage many women to become active within the community. This has helped many women recover from their loss in the Massacre and understand their rights. This has not been an easy step to take, but it is worth the effort. Being an Activist has been the best route to take because as an individual you will be know at an international level and there is a high potential of more external help. This would be the best route for anyone to consider in taking because it will help the community have trust with their innersoles.

We will become closer as a community and defend our human rights. We and accomplish this with the help of the Mayan community, we are human and we need to be heard. We should not let our human rights be violated as they were and have been for several of years. We can do many things to stop this discrimination within our culture and let others know that we have value within our community. Justice will prevail and we will leave in peace. The story will still exist, but we will remember that instance and be proud because we accomplished our liberty and happiness.

Maria Reyes



Acting as Activist, for the human Rights Movement in Guatemala.


Cite:http://digital.films.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/play/KFBVTQ#

Justice Sachs

Going to the presentation of Justice Sachs was a fantastic experience. It was really interesting to know that the court of South Africa has a totally different architectural difference, than the courts that are here in the United States. When I watched the video that Justice Sachs presented everything seemed to be in touch with nature. One of the things that came to my attention was the bright colors in the courtroom and the patterns that the carpets had. This court would make anyone feel like home. The art that the courtroom had was those that were discovered at a cave, everything in this courthouse was unique. Including that it was built across from jail #4.

Despite, of the uniqueness of the court, it was interesting to know that there are eleven judges in the court and that when they are going to listen to a case, at least eight judges need to be present. This court was important because, South Africa’s constitution rights and bill of rights became an important factor in which the court was constructed.

During the presentation he also gave some information of the person that set up the bomb in which he lost his sight of one eye and his right arm. This information was given when a question was asked about the truth and reconciliation commission. Henry went up to him to tell him that he was the one responsible for losing his arm. Justice Sachs did forgive him, but he could not see him as a friend. All of us have compassion for others despite, the fact that they hurt us in a way in which we will never forget. Justice Sachs was very clear when he said that everyone was human and everyone is unique in one way or another.

This was a true experience for me because I saw a different world that revolves around me and the presentation helped me understand that revenge was not the correct route to take. This presentation helped me view the world differently by understanding that there is no reason to believe that any individual is different from one another, the reason being that everyone is human.