Reconcile

With the new constitution being passed in Bolivia today, Evo Morales is poised to hopefully enact real change in the poorest nation in South America.

Reconciliation becomes an interesting topic when referring to race relations, but it becomes infinitely more difficult when it is referring to class relations. Bolivia is its own third category: it is a country marked by dominance by elite mestizos (or "mixed", meaning part Spaniard part indigenous) who had exercised complete and utter control over every aspect of the economy at the exclusion of the poorer, indigenous classes.

It is a country completely divided by ethnic lines. The U.S. is somewhat similar with the wealthier class being made up of predominately white people; however, class lines tend to be a bit more blurred.

In Bolivia, it is a glass ceiling. The wealthy mestizo elites' MO is to keep the indigenous down. There is a racism/classism prevalent in this country that would make a Grand Wizard in the Klu Klux Klan blush.

However, despite the inherent, systematic racism in Bolivia, there is hope: Evo Morales. Many Americans could sympathize with the election of President Morales, it is similar to the election of Obama, the first black president. Morales is the first indigenous president elected in Bolivia, a suprising fact considering that over 80% of the population claims indigenous roots. The election of Morales is the first step of reconciliation between the mestizos and the indegenous.

The second step of reconciliation will be difficult, if not next to impossible, for the elites to accept, but the only way to reconcile the situation in Bolivia is a Communist revolution.

That's right, a Communist revolution.

Ironically, I am not a Communist (I'm actually more of a Libertarian), but when a system has been founded and propogated at the obvious expense of the proletariat, the playing field needs to be leveled. When the indigenous poor cannot suceed, get educated or feed themselves, change has to happen.

The question is for my readers: how can we suceed where so many great ones, including Che, have failed?

Introductory Post

Well, I've started this blog as part of a class project. The first post is supposed to be an introduction, so here it goes:

*I am majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that, but teaching is definitely a possibility.

*I like bicycles. A lot. In fact, what little spare time I have is taken up by maintenance or riding. I ride a Trek 1000 and I am building a fixed gear that HOPEFULLY should be done by next week.

*I am set to graduate at the end of this semester. Finally.

*I lived in Bolivia for 4 years.

*I like to dance.

That is about all that you need to know about me. Cheers!