En un principio, Rigoberta era sólo una mujer guatemalteca ordinaria. In the beginning, Rigoberta was just an ordinary guatemalan woman. Her perspective on the world changed when her family was brutally murdered. Her mother was raped, her head was shaved and beaten, her feet had no soles, and her fingernails and toenails were ripped out, then burned alive. Her brother was found the same way, and her father was burned for occupying the Guatemalan embassy in an attempt to bring the injustice being brought upon the indigenous people. She is quoted to have said that those battles, both the external, physical one and the emotional, mental one “fueled her decision to fight.” …show more content…
Fue a causa de esta lucha, esta injusticia, que ella tomó una postura tan fuerte y decidió ponerse de pie por sí misma.
It was because of this fight, this injustice, that she took such a strong stance and decided to stand up for herself, and her people. She took a stand and confronted abusers of labor and human rights. She is especially known for her work with the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC). During her time with this group, she was a prominent part in a strike for better conditions for farm workers. She also actively was in acts in the capital, which lead her on her quest for
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Finalmente, sus actos conducirla a buscar el exilio en México, que sólo alimenta su fuego aún más. Eventually, her acts lead her to seek exile in Mexico, which only fueled her fire even more. She completely transformed herself during that time. She became Rigoberta Menchu, organizer for the resistance to oppression and struggle for poor Indian people’s rights. In 1982, she helped found the United Representation of Guatemalan Opposition (ROUG), the joint opposition body.
Los Estados Representación de Guatemala Oposición era un grupo que fue muy influyente en la lucha por los derechos humanos básicos en Guatemala. The United Representation of Guatemalan Opposition was a group that was very influential in the fight for basic human rights in Guatemala. The basic goal of the group was to spread awareness and gather support for the resistance movement, they ultimately created a new phase of activism around the world.
Mientras que ella parece fuerte, su vida estaba llena de un montón de momentos difíciles. While she seems strong, her life was filled with a lot of difficult times. She consistently was down, especially during her time of exile. Thankfully, she was joined by her sister while she was in Mexico. Her sister, only twelve years old but already also a well-known activist, told Rigoberta that she had to fight without measuring the suffering. She reminded her that a revolution is not born out of something good, but rather out of wretchedness. This restored Rigoberta’s confidence, and boosted her morale immensely. (DeBiagio)
En 1992, Rigoberta fue galardonado con el Premio Nobel de la Paz por su contribución a la lucha por la justicia social. In 1992, Rigoberta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to the fight for social justice. It served as a symbol for what the people of Guatemala had lost due to the repression. It provided recognition for the cause on a worldwide basis. It represents the victims of oppression and unpunished crimes, and the sufferings of the Mayan Quiche people. However, Rigoberta refuses to take credit for her work, she believes that one single person does not make history; but a group.
Aunque las cosas han recorrido un largo camino para que el pueblo de Guatemala, todavía no hay paz. While things have come a long way for the guatemalan people, there is not peace yet. Rigoberta’s life remains in jeopardy, though she is not hiding. She has run for president, twice! She believes that with her in power she would be able to combat the high rates of disappearances in the indigenous communities, and create justice for all. Danielle DiBiagio writes that Rigoberta “awaits the day when a mixed Guatemalan parliament of ladinos and Indians can legislate about the land, the economy, and the lives of indigenous men and women, on equal terms and equal conditions”, something that the world can take note of.
Huelga decir que Rigoberta tiene un futuro brillante por delante de ella. Needless to say Rigoberta has a bright future ahead of her. She has already done so much for her people, her country, and spreading the nonviolent activist agenda. She has impacted many people across the world, and will continue to do so. It will be interesting to see what is in store for Rigoberta in the years to come.