The Oppression of Mayans and Ladinos

Through descriptive language and personal narratives, Paradise in Ashes weaves an image of the Mayan cycle of poverty on plantations called fincas. We had read about the dismal labor conditions of the Mayans earlier, but now we are seeing it in fine detail. “We are housed as if we are pigs,” a woman from Santa Maria Tzeja comments (42). It’s tragic to hear that the laborers were treated no better than animals, and sometimes even worse than animals.

What lead up to the fincas is reminiscent of the topics discussed by Carol, especially when the author describes how the peasants in Santa Cruz “viewed their situation as one of oppression and dependence,” that they were the “yoke of tyranny” (36). The Mayans did not subjugate themselves to this eternal torture, but rather it is rooted in history, a violent result of the Spanish invasion and conquest. The more difficult thought that resounds in my head, just as did for Katie, is will this circle of bloodshed and oppression ever end? Once the seed is planted, it stays there.

Something that I found extremely interesting and peculiar is the story about the Ladino, Miguel Reyes, in Chapter 2. “Miguel and the other Ladino families from El Palmar were a minority in the new predominantly K’iche’-speaking village, but they were as poor as the K’iche’ in the highlands, and their dreams were the same” (65). This is quite the opposite of the findings listed in Carol’s essay and provides an interesting twist on the story, because it seems that the barrier between Ladino and Maya is not quite as simple we originally thought it was. The author even stated earlier that the “the distinction between Ladinos and Mayas is complex, ambiguous, and not always easy to identify” (36). The reason Miguel story is fascinating is because it almost indicates that the minority are the oppressed, as opposed to a specific race being oppressed due to historical ties. Just like the Mayans in a Ladino populated town, Miguel and the Ladino families felt as if they had no voice. However, this lack of participation occurred in the beginning of settling down to a new land and the Ladinos could not physically communicate with the Mayans at that point in time since they spoke Spanish, not K’iche’.

In reference to settling in a new land and fulfilling one’s dreams, it’s disheartening to hear that that Guatemalans (whether they are Mayan or Ladino) must always be on the move to discover new opportunities or run away from oppression and violence. The same can be said for other under developed countries. The inhabitants of Santa Maria Tzeja trekked to Mexico, only to become refugees who received little aid. It pains me to hear about the families who decided to stay, reluctant to leave behind their hard work and dreams. How one can cling to a life destroyed by fellow villagers escapes me, but perhaps that is why they cling so tightly to it. It is difficult to emotionally detach yourself from that, I imagine. In the end, I always come back to my main question. The people of Guatemala have suffered so much; when will it end and can it end? The situation goes above and beyond just Mayan opppression.