Not another political rant!

Rage Against the Machine’s politically infused songs are one thing that sparked my interest in Latin America.

The weekend prior to writing this was one which altered my perspective on the world. On Saturday 7^th October, I attended a special day at Theatr Clwyd, Mold , organised by the Wales Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, a group of people who meet and discuss issues revolving around the poor quality of life for citizens of the central American island, Nicaragua, and what they as individuals, and as a group can do to make a difference. However, the day was in no way restricted to informing people about solely Nicaragua, and I learnt a huge amount about politics generally in South America, and how people’s standard of living in those countries is so disgustingly influenced and controlled by the power and economic crazy buffoons that reside in the US of A. Okay, so that’s a bit of a rant, admittedly, but the facts are there.

Over the past year, I’ve developed quite an interest in the goings on and culture of South American people. I’ve been to Spain many times, and am quite accustomed to their way of life, which, in all honesty, in some aspects, clashes with mine. So this got me on to wondering what life is like for other Spanish speakers around the world. I’ve enjoyed listening to the music of Rage Against the Machine for many years, and consequently have become vaguely aware of the general attitude towards the way that people are treated in the less developed parts of South America, with many indigenous and unthreatening groups of people, having their land and farms, taken away from them, leaving them with very little to get by on. We’re all well aware of the Argentinean, Che Guevara, and we see his face pasted onto t shirts and merchandise everywhere, as iconic as Marilyn Monroe to some, and definitely very influential. But do people really understand what he was all about?

So this is my point, and how my perspective has changed: I cannot allow myself to be ignorant anymore. I don’t have particularly strong political views, I don’t think I know enough to claim that I do, let alone preach to others, but I do know that it is very important as the young people of the world, to take an interest in these things, and also to say if we don’t agree with the way that others are treated. Also, I feel that it is important to always listen to both sides of the story before making your mind up, as misinformation is so common these days in the press. Can we believe what we read in the papers? Will we ever be able to read a completely true and representative account of a story? Do we take enough interest? Are we going to do anything about these things that we see or read? Or should we just leave it up to the people with the power? Your call.

By Rhiannon Moxon