Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people

[Abynissa]

Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico’s indigenous people
AP

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) – Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico’s indigenous people Monday and prayed before the tomb of their controversial priestly protector during a visit heavy in symbolism to the rolling hills of southern Chiapas state.

Francis celebrated a Mass for Mexican Indians that featured readings in the native languages of Chiapas, a traditional dance of prayer and the participation of married indigenous deacons, whose ministry had been suspended by the Vatican but was revived under Francis…MORE:

-What does it mean to blend indigenous culture into Catholic rituals? Does this mean acceptance in some way of the Chiapas belief system?

 

[Viki63]

This is what the Wikipedia article says in the article on Bishop Samuel Ruiz: “Catechists . . . incorporated the Gospel within the cultural traditions and day-to-day lives of the indigenous. This meant committing themselves to learning the culture and languages of Chiapas, organizing services and discussions in indigenous languages, and inculturating local customs that could be integrated into the Word of God. By doing so, and by translating the Bible into indigenous languages, this work allowed for the poor of San Cristóbal to begin identifying parallels between their own experiences of oppression with those in Biblical passages, most notably the Exodus.Rather than focusing only on the religious affairs that they had once been restricted to, catechists began fostering discussion of economic and political matters that impacted people’s daily lives.”

It doesn’t say what the local customs were, but I believe they were similar to other customs that the church has included, like dressing as saints for All Hallows’ Eve.
It appears that the only reason their priestly protector was “controversial” was that he objected to the exploitation of the poor indigenous people by the powerful interests, and upset the status quo.
I’ve been to Michoacan, and it’s truly poverty stricken. I’m hoping the Holy Father’s visit will spark a revival and change in people’s hearts in Mexico.
.

 

[Abynissa]

But during that time, Latin was the main language of the Mass. So how could these indigenous people understand what was happening at the Mass since there were no translations in print. Furthermore, how could they be instructed in the faith if the ability to print books in their langauge was non-existent? Besides many could not read.

 

[ARSpade]

But during that time, Latin was the main language of the Mass. So how could these indigenous people understand what was happening at the Mass since there were no translations in print. Furthermore, how could they be instructed in the faith if the ability to print books in their langauge was non-existent? Besides many could not read.

People instructed them in their own language. And they simply learned the required Latin and were taught the parts of the Mass.

Same way Christianity spread anywhere else, really. Via spoken explanation and learning.

The inability to read and lack of printed books didn’t really stop the transfer of information for most people. We tend to think of it as difficult simply because we have access to all that stuff.

These days we seem to have rather low expectations for what the laity is able to learn and do.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Relationships among groups in Mexico are puzzling to me. There are very sharp racial divides. There are “ethnic” divides (are you “Aztec” or Yaqui"). There are regional divides. They’re not easy for an Anglo to understand. We think the divisions in the U.S. are bad, but as near as I can tell, they’re nowhere near what they are in Mexico.

A small example. An Anglo lady I know married a fellow of recent Mexican extraction. He had the typical “Mestizo” appearance; showing mildly Indian features as so many of them do. The lady had a baby girl. She wanted to name her “India” (wouldn’t have been my choice) after the country of India. She thought it sounded exotic, I guess.

her husband’s family had a fit, and protested loudly. “India” in Spanish is equivalent to “Indian female”. There’s no way a member of “La Raza” (the mestizo “race”) could tolerate that because pure Indians are very much looked down upon by the rest.

Notwithstanding that “racial” pride, if you ever see Mexican soap operas, the stars are awfully “white”. It’s all very strange.

 

[Sarcelle]

Relationships among groups in Mexico are puzzling to me. There are very sharp racial divides. There are “ethnic” divides (are you “Aztec” or Yaqui"). There are regional divides. They’re not easy for an Anglo to understand. We think the divisions in the U.S. are bad, but as near as I can tell, they’re nowhere near what they are in Mexico.

A small example. An Anglo lady I know married a fellow of recent Mexican extraction. He had the typical “Mestizo” appearance; showing mildly Indian features as so many of them do. The lady had a baby girl. She wanted to name her “India” (wouldn’t have been my choice) after the country of India. She thought it sounded exotic, I guess.

her husband’s family had a fit, and protested loudly. “India” in Spanish is equivalent to “Indian female”. There’s no way a member of “La Raza” (the mestizo “race”) could tolerate that because pure Indians are very much looked down upon by the rest.

Notwithstanding that “racial” pride, if you ever see Mexican soap operas, the stars are awfully “white”. It’s all very strange.

That is what I noticed too in Mexican telenovelas. The actors were all white. It seems like there is a racial caste system with the indigenous people at the bottom rung. This is not only in Mexico but in Central and South America as well. The Pope must have seen it and observed it in his home country. I think there is one country, Uruguay, I think, where they managed to wipe out the indigenous population and now are almost all white.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That is what I noticed too in Mexican telenovelas. The actors were all white. It seems like there is a racial caste system with the indigenous people at the bottom rung. This is not only in Mexico but in Central and South America as well. The Pope must have seen it and observed it in his home country. I think there is one country, Uruguay, I think, where they managed to wipe out the indigenous population and now are almost all white.

I think you’re right about Uruguay. I have met people from there and some have been very anxious to tell me (unbidden) that their Spanish is “pure Castilian Spanish”, not like that of other Latin American countries. That isn’t race, but I have never met an Uruguayan who is not lily white.

But Uruguay isn’t the only country that’s mostly of European extraction. I think Chile and Argentina are too.

Mexicans expect us Anglos to wonder about their extraction. I have, on several occasions, been told by a person of recent Mexican extraction that, e.g. “My grandfather was German” or “My mother’s people are Italian” or things of that nature. It’s nothing to me what their ancestry is, but they must think it matters to me.

But Mexicans aren’t the only race-conscious people on earth. Filipinos I have known are very conscious of it. They’re a very mixed bunch, “racially” speaking. And they have their own “top of the heap races” and the “bottom of the heap races”. But with them, “race” isn’t exactly the same. It’s more the “mix” and the “lightness” and the “origin”. So, for example, it’s great to have some Spanish in your mix. It’s pretty good to have a bit of Chinese. Not too good to have some Japanese, but better than the really dark, Micronesian-type folks that live in remote places.

But there are probably things like that world-wide. Some just seem more dramatic or surprising than others.

 

[Sarcelle]

I think you’re right about Uruguay. I have met people from there and some have been very anxious to tell me (unbidden) that their Spanish is “pure Castilian Spanish”, not like that of other Latin American countries. That isn’t race, but I have never met an Uruguayan who is not lily white.

But Uruguay isn’t the only country that’s mostly of European extraction. I think Chile and Argentina are too.

Mexicans expect us Anglos to wonder about their extraction. I have, on several occasions, been told by a person of recent Mexican extraction that, e.g. “My grandfather was German” or “My mother’s people are Italian” or things of that nature. It’s nothing to me what their ancestry is, but they must think it matters to me.

But Mexicans aren’t the only race-conscious people on earth. Filipinos I have known are very conscious of it. They’re a very mixed bunch, “racially” speaking. And they have their own “top of the heap races” and the “bottom of the heap races”. But with them, “race” isn’t exactly the same. It’s more the “mix” and the “lightness” and the “origin”. So, for example, it’s great to have some Spanish in your mix. It’s pretty good to have a bit of Chinese. Not too good to have some Japanese, but better than the really dark, Micronesian-type folks that live in remote places.

But there are probably things like that world-wide. Some just seem more dramatic or surprising than others.

Interesting.

Yes, I remember some Colombian friends of mine telling me that their Spanish is very close to Castilian Spanish and not like Mexican Spanish which has been adulterated with native words. They looked down on the Mexicans.

This Latin American viewpoint is opposite to Hawaii where people would quite proud to tell you they have some Native Hawaiian blood.

 

[Sarcelle]

I think you’re right about Uruguay. I have met people from there and some have been very anxious to tell me (unbidden) that their Spanish is “pure Castilian Spanish”, not like that of other Latin American countries. That isn’t race, but I have never met an Uruguayan who is not lily white.

But Uruguay isn’t the only country that’s mostly of European extraction. I think Chile and Argentina are too.

Mexicans expect us Anglos to wonder about their extraction. I have, on several occasions, been told by a person of recent Mexican extraction that, e.g. “My grandfather was German” or “My mother’s people are Italian” or things of that nature. It’s nothing to me what their ancestry is, but they must think it matters to me.

But Mexicans aren’t the only race-conscious people on earth. Filipinos I have known are very conscious of it. They’re a very mixed bunch, “racially” speaking. And they have their own “top of the heap races” and the “bottom of the heap races”. But with them, “race” isn’t exactly the same. It’s more the “mix” and the “lightness” and the “origin”. So, for example, it’s great to have some Spanish in your mix. It’s pretty good to have a bit of Chinese. Not too good to have some Japanese, but better than the really dark, Micronesian-type folks that live in remote places.

But there are probably things like that world-wide. Some just seem more dramatic or surprising than others.

Got some Filipino friends and it’s almost like Mexico where the closer you are to pure Spanish, the higher your social class. If you look at the top one percenters in that country, they are almost always pure Spanish or pure Chinese.