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Thanks for your reflections! I particularly liked how alluded to the possibility of dividing the monolithic narrative of "Latin American Independence." However, I think we could go one step further and fragment that narrative beyond a simple colonizer-colonized binary. Certainly, both of those positions give different broad experience of "colonialism" and "independence." This critique of broad narratives is important to understanding the notion of independence in this context, as it, like the criollos behind its ascendancy, were imported from Europe. How much do these narratives rely on imagined communities in the form of nations? It is important also to investigate how populations were included/excuded in/from such imagined communities. How can unity and fragmentation reconcilable within the nation-state idea of "independence" ? This makes me think of emerging "pluri-nationalism" in 21st century Latin America. read full post >>

With this week’s video and readings, I thought that it was interesting how the attitudes about independence in Latin America grew over time and how the various leaders bounced ideas off of each other. Even going all the way back to Simon Bolivar, Latin America began its ascension into the modern era of independence off … Continue reading Week 4: Independence Response read full post >>

So if I am being completely honest, after going through this week’s reading selections, I’m more confused about Latin America than ever…so much so, that I wanted to wait until today’s discussion on the topic, “Independence Narratives, Past and Present” to try and make sense of it all before containing my confusion within my weekly […] read full post >>

Simon Bolivar, in his 1815 Letter from Jamaica, wrote that “…a people is therefore enslaved when the government, by its nature or its vices, infringes on and usurps the rights of the citizen or subject.” By this definition of enslavement, I find that the notion of independence in Latin America was and always has been complex… Continue reading Exclusive Independence → read full post >>

From reading the 3 different pieces on Latin American independence and its rejection of Colonialism and Neoliberalism, I found recurring themes and sentiments from each author. Taking in Martí’s and Bolívar’s more historical pieces alongside Chavez’s modern speech allowed me to build bridges between past and current attitudes of Latin America’s people. Bolívar writes that … Continue reading WEEK 4: Independence Narratives, Past and Present → read full post >>

  Ximena Kuzma Mongrut Week 3     The Casta Paintings remind us that humanity is all about hierarchy. It reflects that it is in our nature to pursue social, political and economic dominance and status. It shows how religion, whiteness and ethnicity became a way of empowerment and the new world the platform for […] read full post >>

Welcome to UBC Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging! read full post >>

The Dawson textbook exert gave minimal descriptions of the various Latin American colonies struggle and entrance into independence. Each country could be course in itself at UBC for reasons of independence and other ideas, which made it difficult for me to soak in all the information. This exert also seemed to be the first if …

Continue reading "Independence Past and Present"

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The Dawson textbook exert gave minimal descriptions of the various Latin American colonies struggle and entrance into independence. Each country could be course in itself at UBC for reasons of independence and other ideas, which made it difficult for me to soak in all the information. This exert also seemed to be the first if …

Continue reading "Independence Past and Present"

read full post >>

This week’s readings led me on a search to try and understand the rise of Socialism in Latin America. I needed to re-teach myself the essence of these movements and the issues that cause them. How the lack of basic necessities and want for something better plant the seeds of revolution; how people will fight […] read full post >>