Original Publication Information:
Suedomsa the Magazine December 1997 Volume One,
Issue
Five
Oaxaca Reflection by Marcia Koenig
Respeto al derechos del ajenos es la paz
(Respecting the rights of others is peace.)
After spending a short time in Mexico City, the biggest city in the world,
reading these words on the hill top, driving into Oaxaca was refreshing.
I immediately sensed a difference - a slower pace and a greater sense of
connection and warmth between the people. It is a spirited town, hugged
by mountains, with a colorful and lively "zocolo" (center square) where
people always gathered. Yet sorrows are apparent in Oaxaca as well; from
the dusty dirt roads piled with garbage to the river that hardly trickles
with mucky water. Each person I was lucky to meet, befriend, and work
with also helped to show me the pleasantness and the struggles that
accompany life in Oaxaca.
Hearing stories (or at least the filtered and skewed versions that
sometimes makes the news) in the United States certainly isn't the same as
getting to witness and live out some of the hardships of a third world
country. THe stories of struggles there, of their everyday lives, did at
times overwhelm me. Some of the feelings I had the most difficulty
dealing with were those of sorrow, guilt and shame. There were moments
when I did not want to be the American that stuck out. Fortunately, I did
not allow these feelings of frustration to form a defensive wall. I was
able toget to know some of these people better, and let them know me; I
was able to spend time building relationships. I hope that I was
successful in breaking down some of the stereotypes they might have about
the United States. Nonetheless, they were aware that the whole time I did
have that return plane ticket to take me back to my life of luxuries. But
do they know, now that I am back here, that I also have a part of them
with me?
These memories that I have of the people, their land and most vividly,
their stories, enable me to hold on to a part of the experience I had in
Oaxaca. Being home again, it would be easy to fall back into the high
paced, excessive ways of the United States, but the memories and feelings
that arise within me daily remind me of a life more simple, more difficult
and often for these reasons, also more valued. The wonderful group of UP
students, whom with I am so grateful to have shared my similar experience,
are also strong reminders and support that help keep me connected to all
that we learned and all those we met. Undoubtedly, my life has been
greatly impacted. I have promised to myself that here I will work more
actively to continue to deepen my interests and connections to peoples in
the same situations, until one day I return to build further upon this
experience.
The next time I meet an immigrant I will smile warmly, for I have
witnessed the struggle of their people...and never will I forget the
words, nor the meaning, that are planted on the hill above Oaxaca,
Mexico.
