on indigenous people and history

hey everyone,
im writing with a ton of thoughts and exciting new formations to add to all that I have been learning here. I have been learning in a different way than a strict, memorization-and- regurgitation, text book sort of education and have been really benefiting from learning based on my personal experiences, perceived social constructions, and critical analysis that integrates useful knowledge with emotional engagement. Academically, we have been reading some challenging pieces based on historical social movements, history, and social constructions like that of race, class and gender. The most amazing part is learning about theory in the context of beautiful chiapas. talking about capitalism around a table outside, down the hill from roosters, horses, stray dogs, roasting corn, herded sheep, people carrying hundreds of pounds of supplies on their heads, and women weaving their own--- is something else. it really puts things into context. over-theorizing things is precautioned when we are in the midst of a place so alive with such a practical political alternative.

We visited a local example of a government center that is of, for, and by the people, filled with histories of amazing resistance against oppressive government systems. indigenous communities here have amazing histories- that are inter-locked with their present realities. their historical memory is not locked in books or with their grandparents. people live knowing that they are inextricably part of a long-term history and are therefore responsible to the survival of the following generations as well. every generation has struggled for their right to exist with dignity and seeing that in people is different than a lot of what i am used to. i feel largely estranged from where i come from and thus where we need to go from here. no words really can describe it all. more below.