Guatemala's Story

Rigoberta Menchu was doing the work of an adult before she was ten years old. Taking care of her younger siblings and helping her mother pick coffee was an everyday experience for this hardworking and persevering young lady. Her family toiled for years, scrimping measly wages together until they could afford their own farm, but even with their own land, the only way for the family to survive was to work at a finca, a coffee plantation owned by a rich landowner who more often than not was a politician as well. This meant that everyone who worked on the plantation had to vote for the owner (this was accomplished with armed soldiers and a public ballot, the workers were not told they were voting, just ordered to mark the ballot as directed). As disgusting and unfathomable is this situation is,  a greater atrocity was that many times, Rigoberta’s family and community members, were not paid their monthly salary, because the overseers could report field workers received wages and keep the salaries for themselves. As if this wasn't enough, two of Rigoberta’s brothers lost their lives in these fields; one brother died due to toxic fumes that were dusted over crops while the workers were in the fields and the other brother died because in order for his mother to retain her job, she had to keep working, even while her son was convulsing and suffering a slow death.

These adversities would be enough to make many persons give up, but Rigoberta persevered through all of this. After working all day picking coffee, she would go home, complete chores, care for the livestock her parents entrusted her, and then weave cloth to pay for food for her animals.  This strong and hopeful spirit enabled her to become a leader in a workers movement that actively opposed both the government and brutal landowners. Her efforts were joined by other women, who together led and fought for justice.

What is so striking to me is the beauty and strength of Rigoberta’s spirit; instead of being bitter or hating her people’s oppressors, she seeks change for her people through demonstrations and her eloquence. Early in her narrative, Rigoberta talks of how she loves the earth and the animals she takes care of. What a gift, to see and appreciate good in the midst of such trials.

Perhaps the harshest reality of Rigoberta’s testimony is the fact that her story is the story of the Guatemalan people.  Because of the land and produce monopolies owned by ruthless corporations (such as the United Fruit Company), this story is a common one. With some background research, CIA involvement comes to light in these unjust dealings; a U.S. enacted covert operation that deposed Guatemala’s president because he strove to reduce the United State’s economic sway over his country.  As can be seen from this narrative, the actions of our government have destroyed communities and lives. 

After reading this powerful narrative, I think the most powerful message that we can take away is that in order for this madness to desist, we must keep an active interest and demand accountability from our leaders and companies. If we don’t, the generations of ten year old Rigobertas, picking 40 pounds of coffee a day, will not only be the happenings of the past, but the reality of the future. 

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~acareywe/menchu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoberta_Mench%C3%BA
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/guatemala.htm