On June 7, 2024, the Mayan Languages Preservation Project received its first group of interns! We are so excited to have them working with us. They are a young and motivated group of high school to college students. We have students joining us from coast to coast, with most from the University of Utah’s Kahlert School of Computing. One of their first tasks was to read sections of Born of Blood and Fire by John Charles Chasteen and watch When the Mountains Tremble directed by Pamela Yates.
As the project coordinator, I felt the need to provide historical context about Latin America and more specifically Central America and Guatemala. To quote the Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement, “how can one rule the people, if they do not know the people?” In the same vein, I want to ensure that our interns have a strong background and base understanding of the people, languages, cultures, and identities that create the foundation for this project. To slightly change the quote, how can one serve the people, if they do not know the people? After completing the reading and documentary, each intern wrote a reflection based off on their reactions.
Here are some excerpts, which had been edits for length and clarity:
Wyatt Bruchhauser, a computer science major at the University of Utah, wrote
“… So the US lead a coup in 1954 to replace the democratically elected leftist government of Guatemala with the military regime of Carlos Castillo Armas. This would then spin into a 36 year long Civil War between the military dictatorship and leftist Guerilla forces…I have a new understanding of the struggle the marginalized of Latin America, be them poor, indigenous, black, or any other identity have been fighting, and as globalization and immigration increases contact of ideas and people north and south of the Rio Grande, I hope we can all have a better understanding of each other.”
Abby Blatter, a computer science major, commented
“I appreciated how the author of Born in Blood and Fire, John Charles Chasteen, demonstrated the similar themes throughout different Latin American countries while also highlighting and emphasizing their differences. I felt like his accounts were well thought out, and well presented. I also appreciated the movie When the Mountains Tremble. I thought the juxtaposition of showing the cruelties of humanity, and then showing beautiful landscapes and cultural traditions and practices was especially impactful… In learning about the Mayan Language Preservation Project, I know that an important aspect of preserving the language is also preserving the culture. Through the reading and the movie, I wonder how much has already been lost. I feel such an urgency to move this forward as quickly as possible. ”
Yujie He, a computer science major at the University of Utah, commented
“…The documentary (When the Mountains Tremble) offers a powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by indigenous people in Guatemala during the civil war. It highlights themes of resilience, resistance, and the quest for justice amidst systemic violence and oppression. The personal stories and historical context presented in the film shed light on broader issues of human rights and social justice. Understanding these events is crucial for recognizing the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities and the importance of advocating for their rights and protection. “
Alice McVicker, a computer science major, wrote
“…My overall feeling about the reading and movie is that it’s all extremely depressing… I agree with the Born of Blood and Fire analysis of the “original sin” of Latin America completely. Racial inequality and the echoes of colonialism haunted the entire history in both the reading and movie. While the movie also touches on the urban non-indigenous poor population, it’s clear how native people in Guatemala are inherently disadvantaged…On a more positive note, I also saw the industriousness and capability/desire for self-governance and self-determination of Latin Americans… I can also recognize the hopes and complex situations of guerilla fighting groups, who otherwise are portrayed in very negative light in the US…I strongly believe in self-determination of all peoples, and perhaps the best way the US can foster that right now is non-interventional, centering indigenous and Latin American voices, and using our technology and resources to support what they are interested in.”
Anika Karna, a recent master’s graduate from the University of Utah, commented
“Both works show that Latin America has been through a lot, but people there keep fighting for what’s right. They remind us that history is still alive and affecting people today. It’s a reminder that we all need to stand up against injustice and support those who are struggling. These stories are like a wake-up call, showing us that the fight for justice is ongoing and that we all have a role to play in making things better.”
Santiago Lozano, a high schooler from the Village School, writes
“As someone who was raised in Mexico, reading Born of Blood and Fire had me in awe while I read the events, ideas, and people who shaped the society I was surrounded by my entire life. I was able to understand how the idea of mestizaje helped form Latin American identity, yet I was still appalled by the ideas that brought it to life since the class system of mulattos, mestizos, criollos, and others that brought mestizaje to life was a concept that brought suffering to many of the people of Latin America, such as the Indigenous. This truly made me reflect on my ancestry as a Latin American, and as a mestizo. By watching When the Mountains Tremble, I learned about a genocide that had never been brought to my attention, a silent genocide where thousands died. This reminded me of the hardships the indigenous have had to go through, and the corruption Latin America has faced to this date.”
Chris Marton, a recent graduate from the University of Utah, writes
“Broadly speaking, reading the book Born in Blood and Fire and watching the movie When the Mountains Tremble, was both interesting and enlightening. My current knowledge of Latin American history is embarrassingly poor. As such, this exercise gave me a good introduction to the history of the region and the forces that shaped it into what it is today.”
Sanjna Reddy, a high schooler from the Village School, commented
“It’s shocking to witness how human beings can treat other humans so badly. Latin America was committed to mestizo nationalism, the concept of blending different ancestries for a sense of national unity. However, it is clear from Rigoberta Menchú and the accounts of the horrific events that Latin America is a long way from erasing discrimination. Even when the Africans came, they were able to adapt to the Spanish society better because of their experience in the Americas and Europe. They soon replaced the indigenous people’s jobs. The voices of the indigenous people were drowned out. They were forced to learn Spanish and figure out how to fit into “their place” in society. Their languages, land, rights, families, and tribes were taken from them. It’s important that their voices are heard again to do justice to their history and people.”
Cameron Kato, a computer science major at the University of Utah, described
“Born of Blood and Fire and When the Mountains Tremble provide a view into Latin America’s largely overlooked history. However, they both describe the trials many endured to protect their families, way of life, and rights. Chasteen wrote a broad historical perspective on Latin America as a whole, focusing on the people and countries over centuries and When the Mountains Tremble is a focused story of the Indigenous resistance and social justice struggles in Guatemala”