The more I learned about Mayan history the more I connected it to African American history. When I heard the words plantations and discrimination I connected them with the information I know about African American history. Many differing minorities experience discrimination and enslavement but Christi Uicab said she found similarities in black history and Mayan history when doing her research. I found Christie’s play and talk as one of the more informative experiences because she brought up a Mayan women leader and the fight for Mayan women rights. I compared this knowledge to the guided tours during our excursions. I am pretty positive they were all males and they all talked about very similar historical events of the Mayan people. Especially when we went to the Hacienda, I feel like we could’ve learned so much more about the beginnings of the Caste War and who led the revolt for the Mayans and how they became enslaved in this way.
From all the readings and films we’ve watched I still don’t know how I feel about being an American tourist. The natives are being performative because they know it’s what attracts the tourist and provides them money. As tourists we pay to see this performative history. In the reading “A Return to Servitude” the author examines the fact that Mayan people “participate in and combat modernizing projects…” (Castellano, XXVI). It’s a tricky conversation because this is how indigenous people can make a living but also it’s an unsettling discussion of the ethics of tourism, and how at many Mayan sites they created an “ahistorical” and “fixed representation” of Mayan History. To contrast, our last guest lecturer, Francisco Fernández, went into identity and national identity. He had us question why we interrogate others identities and if there is a classification to fit into certain identities? I found it very interesting that many people working at such sites as Chichen Itza and the chocolate museum wore Mayan clothing, and we learned in class that sometimes those people aren’t even of Mayan descent. They are just trying to sell to tourists an ‘authentic’ experience of seeing history in the present. Reflecting on what Fernández talked about, it made me think of how in America the Bureau of Indian affairs makes you provide genealogical (blood quantum) documentation for membership and enrollment. It is interesting to reflect on having to prove your identity that was discriminated against and hated for so long, many people try to hide their indigenous culture and now you have to prove yourself.
Prior to leaving for Mexico I had a long talk with my dad who immigrated from Haiti when he was 12. My dad and I spoke about the difference between Western views and Native views, especially about land and natural resources. He talked about his experience living in Haiti and the differences now that he lives in America. One guest lecture spoke about this, they said Mayan life forms are integrated with nature on its three levels: the sky (archaeoastronomy), the earth (open spaces) and the underworld (Caves, wells, and cenotes). Compared to the governor of Mexico wanting capital gain, adding factories in Yucatan and paying low salaries.Their is a difference in viewing life and it’s so interesting that the universal need for power took over the Westerners ego and they put it towards colonization. Now the colonizers are trying to turn their wrong-doings into historical landmarks (Ex: the Hacienda). When I read Trouillot’s essay “The Presence in the Past,” one point stood out to me. He implies that the attempt at creating the Disneyland slavery park is not the primary issue at hand, the ongoing racism that is still occuring today actually influences how we deem slavery as bad. If we challenge and expose the current racism and discriminatory practices that affect so many minorities then is it fair to create such a park and that’s when we will see authenticity. As tourists we get so sad learning about the wrongful historical past yet in the present it’s still occurring. We look at history like it isn’t still present today.
Lastly, I’d like to touch on the short article about Yaxunah, Community tourism in Yaxunah is led by women. I wish when we were in Yaxunah we were able to talk to some of the women about their experience becoming more involved in the tourism industry. Reading it over again I definitely acknowledge how my experience was aided towards us being tourists, I am glad though it has provided jobs for Women and is able to create sustainability for the town of Yaxunah. Overall, this trip has made me reflect on tourism culture and being a tourist myself. I love learning about other cultures and I want to continue to travel, and respectively learn about the varying living styles of others. I also realize the privilege I have to be reflecting on an experience like this and I wish to use my academics to change systematic issues that affect those like the Mayan people and other indigenous people. By asking those who the issues affect to know what they want and need instead of making assumptions of what would be best for them is what I can do without overstepping boundaries because how would I as a non-native person know what Natives need unless directly going to the source. I am so grateful for being able to go to Mérida, Mexico and I’ll never forget the people and friends I met.
