Guatemala impressions

July 7, 2009

Natalia Sanchez

 

Hope this message find you all well. As you might realize, it has now been officially 2 weeks since our HOMEY/HUAXTEC delegation arrived in Guatemala City. It's been an overwhelming learning experience as we have been afforded an incredible amount of opportunities during our stay here. I like to believe that our presence here has expanded and reaffirmed ties and relationships first built by previous delegations.

It's interesting and fulfilling to really feel at home with HIJOS, doing the type of work that we would be doing in the Bay with our own organizations, yet still be able to gain new strategies, perspectives on how to do things. It's HELLA crazy how even with little to no resources HIJOS invest an extreme amount of energy and time in simple things like banners and bandanas. It must've been the first time in my life I ( along with others from our delegation) spent more than 2 or 3 hours on ONE banner. While trying to silk-screen in the most grassroots way we've ever done it...we were forced to come up with creative solutions if a screen didnt burn right.

 

We've seen the begining of hip hop (it's true essence) in Guatemala as it once existed (before all the commercialism) in the United States. We've been at the heart of URBAN ART FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. And in an attempt to contribute to this movement our delegation brought bandanas, t-shirts, books, chants, and our stories,
medicine, offrendas, to really make this experience an "intercambio" (exchange). 

 

The reality is that the work that folks in "Third World" countries do is far reaching because it reflects their commitment and investments in their struggles. I have witnessed how their accomplishments are a direct result of their genuine love, care, and preparation. It's been a privilege to really learn and reflect on my experiences here in Guatemala. To be able to share stories, moments, create artwork, share artwork, find similarities, differences, but above all, really FINALLY and TRULY feel like a LAND WITHOUT BORDERS exists because we are ONE LAND, ONE PEOPLE. This trip has  really made it more than a concept and idea, but a reality where i feel a   connectionand possibilites that our struggles are unavoidably connected...

 

In Solidarity,

Natalia Sanchez