a little food for thought...

Here's a quote from a reading that I did the other night, which was about the struggles of a certain group of Aymaras (one of two largest indigenous populations in Bolivia). I thought that it was SO pertinent to understanding both the Bolivia today and the Bolivia of the past (which, naturally, are inextricably linked). So here it is :) -

"This need for self-determination [that of the Aymaras] signifies both a desire, thus far frustrated, to participate in a national-popular program with truly democratic and pluralist roots. At the same time, it reflects the will to maintain a separate identity and to spread ideas sustained by Indian cultural autonomy. This obviously creates a serious challenge for Bolivian society, whose elite classes, in the habit of equating themselves with the country itself, have systematically tended to ignore the country's real demography and social diversity in favor of a monolithic plan for a Western-style nation." - from "Oppressed by Not Defeated" by Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui

This quote, to me, represents the struggle of Bolivia in a nutshell, most importantly highlighting the exciting and intensely important quality the nation's present struggles. Evo Morale and his administration's undying support of the indigenous struggle and desire to truly decolonize Bolivia speak volumes against the structurally-violent dominant world order that has historically served only to exploited Bolivia. Additionally, the nation's new constitution (put into place only a week ago!) is the first document in the nation's history to truly & earnestly affirm, celebrate, and protect the nation's historical ethnic, cultural, geographical, and social diversity, affirming that Bolivia is a pluri-national country. It seems that for the first time in Bolivia's history, as pointed out by my history teacher (who was once the governor of Cochabamba), there exists a movement that unites the struggles of class, ethnicity, and patriotism, which is way change is finally occurring in the magnitude that it is. Thus, the present is a truly monumental time to be in Bolivia. Despite its being the poorest nation in South America & despite its historically severe oppression of the majority of its population, Bolivia is moving towards coherently & holistically addressing the above mentioned struggles. Yes, these issues are "a serious challenge for Bolivian society," the government of Evo Morales is far from perfect, and Bolivia certainly has a very difficult road ahead. Yet, there is a resilience and a willingness to stand-up in the population here that is ultimately simply extraordinary. What a nation, this Bolivia (!!). I feel endlessly blessed to be here.