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In Turning the Tide Noam Chomsky explains how the polarization of the world during the context of the Cold War created “a new era of domestic militarism and intervention” in Latin America, specifically in Central American countries (Chomsky 14-118). In chapter one and three, Chomsky outlines the chronological process by which the doctrine of terrorContinue reading "Research Assignment: “The Doctrine of Terror” (Source 1)" read full post >>

This chapter is no less depressing than last chapter. It seems the patterns of repression, disappearance, and corrupt leadership continued well into the 80s and 90s throughout Latin America. I think the information we read about the Madres organisation shows the desperation felt by the general public. Their strong opinions and passion when speaking into […] read full post >>

In The Press and Classical Populism in Argentina and Brazil (2018), Ariel Alejandro Goldstein explains to readers the way in which the media was used by the government in the populist regimes of Peronism and Vargism, from the 1930s to the 1950s. Since our project will focus primarily on the the Peronist regime in ArgentinaContinue reading "Power to the People and “The Press and Classical Populism in Argentina and Brazil”" read full post >>

Hello everyone and welcome back to a new post blog! I hope everyone is enjoying November and ready to jump into the finals! For this week’s post, it would be interesting talk about the theme of “Speaking truth to power” in the 1960s till the 1980s in Latin America. Indeed, this theme can be addressedContinue reading "WEEK 11: TRUTH? WHICH ONE ?" read full post >>

Nancy Fraser says that to understand what a just system is we need to first experience or witness injustice. That is what this week’s chapter reminds me of, well, it also brought to my mind a lot of newspaper articles and news I’ve been bombarded with throughout my entire life. The problem of the drugContinue reading "Week 12 | “From whom do we demand justice?”" read full post >>

The thing that striked me the most about this week’s reading was the explanation of the Las Madres movement. In a situation where violence is coming from all sides, you can’t trust the guerrilas or even the government and police to protect you, this group of mothers got together and did the most effective thing […] read full post >>

While reading this week I was reminded and saddened by how little the pursuit of truth really affects the way human beings interact. The shocking violence of the Terror is based on violently conflicting beliefs. The worst violence occurs in … Continue reading → read full post >>

While reading this week I was reminded and saddened by how little the pursuit of truth really affects the way human beings interact. The shocking violence of the Terror is based on violently conflicting beliefs. The worst violence occurs in … Continue reading → read full post >>

This week's reading was incredibly powerful to read. I have learned about the Madre's before; their white bonnets seem to have become a symbol of resistance. The concept of the disappeared within Latin American politics is an interesting positionality. In the eyes of the state, individuals are reduced to bodies where no rights are guaranteed. Its such a devastating position as there is no sense of justice; the feeling is alien to me as I have always lived somewhere with a certain extent of due process. The Madres were successful because of their position as older women; the government could not kill mothers and grandmothers in the public sphere without large reproductions. This could be attributed to significant gender roles. As women were seen as fragile, homemakers, and child-bearers, there was an element of weakness associated with their murder. However, I believe this was true for the Madres because they had already gained global attention. The Argentinian government had no qualm with killing women, however, they didn't want their foreign reputation to be dismal. Countries like the United States hold to the idea that certain people are off-limits from violence, such as women and children. Had they been young men protesting in the square, the government would have likely disposed of them immediately rather than allowing them to gather.
As I watched the Madres video, I was immediately hit by the overwhelming grief. The desperation of the people at this time for justice is quite evident. The disposal of thousands of people is quite destabilizing especially within small communities that experience massacres. The premeditated aspect of state-sponsored violence also showed the lengths of corruption. It was interesting as well to see the coverup methods that were used. Often the state tried to frame the disappeared or murdered as the destabilizing forces, ones that were a threat to the public because of their ideology. It was disheartening to learn about how the United States often supported these false narratives in order to continue support for regimes. These attempts extended violence from murder to also the death of credibility of dissident individuals. People existed in a liminal space where if they were to speak up they could either face death, discredit, or most likely both.
It's also interesting to think about how many of these disappearances have never been acknowledged properly. There are still many families who have yet to find out what happened to their children, leaving them in permanent distrust of the state and each new leader who fails to give answers.  read full post >>

This week's reading was incredibly powerful to read. I have learned about the Madre's before; their white bonnets seem to have become a symbol of resistance. The concept of the disappeared within Latin American politics is an interesting positionality.... read full post >>