Struggle of the Indigenous People of Mexico Book Review by Nicky
Review of Shannan L. Mattiace's polemic entitled "To see with two eyes: Peasant activism and Indian autonomy in Chiapas, Mexico."
# 150542
| 1,800 words
| 1 source
| APA
| 2012
| 
Published
on Mar 04, 2012
in
Latin-American Studies
(Race, Class, Gender Issues)
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Description:
This paper reviews and discusses Shannan L. Mattiace's work entitled "To see with two eyes: Peasant activism and Indian autonomy in Chiapas, Mexico", which chronicles the struggle of the indigenous people of Mexico for political autonomy, power, and social recognition. First, the paper notes how Mattiace attempts to give a historical context to recent struggles on behalf of the peasant population, noting the Zapatista Army of National Liberation's uprising in the 1990's. Next, the paper addresses Mattiace's methods and her anthropological background for doing research. She also presents new research about the little known culture of the Tojolabal. The review also critiques Mattiace's work, citing that her thesis tends to separate indigenous rights from poverty. The paper concludes with the review positively noting Mattiace's call for a resurgence of the type of political consciousness of the Zapatista movement.
From the Paper:
"The plight of Mexico's indigenous communities gained world attention during the 1990s, due to the military efforts of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional, or EZLN), a revolutionary group that engaged in armed resistance on behalf of indigenous, impoverished people in the Chiapas and eventually secured the right to negotiate with the national government. Mattiace attempts to give a historical context to this recent struggle, and traces their Zapatista's roots to inequities existing well before the mid-1990s. However, Mattiace also wishes to distinguish the Zapatista's character, aim, and objectives from previous revolutionary struggles amongst the poor. Although the Zapatistas articulated aims that were of interest all of Mexico's economically disenfranchised, the origins of the movement lay in indigenous and agricultural communities. The Zapatista's cause revolved around legitimizing the identity of rural, indigenous, and agricultural laborers as well as more concrete political aims. Their ideological emphasis was primarily indigenous, rather than class-based, in contrast to previously-organized..."Sample of Sources Used:
- Mattiace, Shannan L. (2003). To see with two eyes: Peasant activism and Indian autonomy in Chiapas, Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Cite this Book Review:
APA Format
Struggle of the Indigenous People of Mexico (2012, March 04)
Retrieved December 02, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/book-review/struggle-of-the-indigenous-people-of-mexico-150542/
MLA Format
"Struggle of the Indigenous People of Mexico" 04 March 2012.
Web. 02 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/book-review/struggle-of-the-indigenous-people-of-mexico-150542/>