This week, we will be discussing the articles chosen by Bryce and Brooks.
Bryce’s article discusses the election of Sandra Morán as a Guatemalan representative who is openly apart of the LGBTQ+ community. Brooks’ article discusses the use of performing arts to honor the memories of those lost or wronged under the Chilean and Guatemalan dictatorships.
Lesbian Congresswoman Creates ‘Path Toward Representation’ in Guatemala
1. What similarities do we see between Guatemalan Government (specifically congress/representation) and our own government? How can this be solved?
2. Do you think it’s hypocritical for Moran to have been in a guerrilla insurgence and yet now be in office?
3. What steps can Moran take in creating a safer environment in Guatemala especially with exceptionalities such as the LGBT community?
‘A way of healing’: Art and memory in Latin America
Clara Alicia, the founder of the all-female Maya theater group, says that “[she] things art is the best way to transform society”:
- In what ways can art be beneficial for setting new standards for a society? Can the use of art to “transform society” be negative as well? How?
The article also states that “Many people prefer to forget rather than keep confronting the past”.
2. Often times when the government allows for very controversial/ questionable behavior, years later there is hesitation to compensate for, apologize for or even recognize the fault in those actions. By honoring the memory of those who were wronged under the Pinochet and Efraín Ríos Montt dictatorships in these performances, are these women risking censorship of such issues?
3. In the event their performances are censored or limited, what would the effects be?