Job Discussion Forums

[MO39]

Melee,

Since the events described in this link appear to take place in your neck of the Oaxacan woods, I'd especially enjoy reading your take on this conflict between Indian customs and women's rights in a Zapotec village.

Here's the link to the article that drew this issue to my attention:

http://my.earthlink.net/article/int?guid=20080127/479c0fd0_3421_13345200801271340957977

Of course, comments from anyone reading this are also welcome!

[MELEE]

I should have time after 4pm to give this the thought and consideration it deserves.

[MO39]

Thanks, Melee. I look forward to reading your reaction to this situation!

[MELEE]

Unfortunately I think Eufrosina Cruz is being used. The Mexican government has long had the policy of wanting to �assimilate� it�s indigenous groups. Usos y Costumbres was a great victory for indigenous rights. And whether Eufrosina was set up, planted, part of the game, or just a unlucky pawn I don�t know, but she�s just what the political establishment has been looking for.
Here�s an article from 2001 that shows that the establishment has been waiting for Eufrosina to appear http://www.letraslibres.com/index.php?art=6733 so that they can weaken indigenous rights in Mexico.
(sorry those of you who don�t read Spanish, most of the links I�m going to provide are in Spanish)

For those who don�t know about �Usos y Costumbres� I recommend you start here
http://www.usosycostumbres.org/
http://www.prodiversitas.bioetica.org/nota26.htm
There is some information available in English, from our friend the narcosphere!

[ls650]

That's a very interesting and informative response.

[Guy Courchesne]

A contentious issue, to say the least. I see a strong parallel in they way westerners view and criticize the use of the Muslim veil, headscarf, or burqa in some Muslim countries. The criticism often put there is that men have decided the rules and enforce the traditions, and that women have little to no say. Further criticism focuses on the violence used to enforce the traditions, and a culture of fear that keeps women from pursuing change. Even Muslim women that express support for such traditions are mocked as having been brainwashed.

In Mexico's case, one would have a hard time completely justifying either position. Women's equality vs indigenous tradition...not necessarily mutually exclusive I think. Beyond the academic argument though, is a concern about what happens to the individual woman when those concepts do clash. It's my opinion that violence is probably a common result, as it has been and continues to be in many societies. To me, that means the issue may become not one of tolerance, but of outrage.

[MELEE]

First of all for the uninitiated, in many Oaxacan villages women are on equal standing as men, own land, make decisions, hold office. In the isthmus there is ever a matriachal society...

[GueroPaz]

I was reviewing some Tzotzil grammar today, where the expert bemoans the fact that Mayan languages such as Tzotzil and Tzeltal were almost completely neglected by mestizos throughout Mexican history. Usos y custumbres refer not only to politics or individual rights, but also to community traditions that are far more ancient than most non-Icelandic parliaments. They include grandparents' roles in the community, ejido land sharing, decision making, early marriage, dowries, child-rearing, crop tillage, cooking, clothing - most of which would be buried in white bread, sugar coated, mestizo-ized bastardizations of Western 'civilization.'

It still blows my mind to recall the 14 year old married couples whose normal six-year 'educaci�n' was interrupted after about 3 years, by a 1994 revolution which has not ended.

[carolync]

Who's to say what the majority of the woman in these communities want? If they are being married off at age 12 with no education they probably have no idea that there's an alternative. I agree that change has to come from within the society, not from westerners pushing their veiws. But with no rights or education, how can these woman make an informed decision about how they want to live their lives?

[ls650]

[MELEE]

[thelmadatter]

Whether or not the federal government has wanted someone like Eufrosina Cruz to appear is irrelevant. She is a member of that community and is raising the question of whether the notion of �Usos y Costumbres� should trump the rights of women to be equal in status to men... a right upheld by Mexican law as well various UN documents. This question must be addressed.

Under a strong interpretation of Usos y Costumbres and the idea expressed by MELEE as

[MO39]

I'm really pleased that my post has generated such thoughtful and diverse replies. Once I've finished with a rush translation job that I'm in the middle of, I'll chime in with my reaction to this discussion.

[MELEE]

[MO39]