RACISMO-DISCRIMINACION

Me pregunto ¿Cómo se puede hablar de discriminación de una persona como Irene Smith, sin conocer no solo su trayectoria profesional sino también un poco de su vida personal?

Irene no es una persona solamente interesada y preocupada por su país, por el barrio donde reside sino también en conocer la cultura Latinoamericana.

Ella Hizo su mayor esfuerzo en aprender el Idioma Español y viajar a diversos países de América Latina, pudo hacerlo como turista, sin embargo ella decidió por ejemplo: Vivir por más de dos meses en Guatemala específicamente en una aldea de Quetzaltenango donde se habla mayormente idiomas indígenas como el Quiché y Mam . Viajó sola, bueno no sola, porque Irene estaría acompañada del coraje que le caracteriza, valor, carisma, sensibilidad con el otro y su toma de conciencia con las diferencias, sociales y culturales. Una experiencia como esta de las muchas a contar jamás seria de una persona discriminadora, racista, misógina.

Su Personalidad, actitud, compromiso y principios le permitieron convivir y ser aceptada en esta comunidad donde la desconfianza de sus pobladores es fuerte por haber sufrido por más de 30 años en Conflicto Armado, ser víctimas de genocidio y de discriminación y racismo constante.

Si queremos hablar de colores y razas, uno de los tantos elementos para definir el racismo, Irene y yo iniciamos una relación profesional que poco a poco se convirtió en amistad, soy Latina, trigueña, morena como quieran decirme, conozco bastante bien a los pueblos indígenas y más aún los Guatemaltecos hermosa gente que me dio acogida por 7 años , soy Peruana, de padre campesino y madre capitalina , a quienes ella conoció , casada con un esposo latino de mí mismo color y soy Antropóloga.

Hablar y tachar a una persona de racista , discriminadora de forma rápida es muy arriesgado un tanto imprudente u osado cuando se desconoce la vida personal o familiar, Irene tiene claro en su visión de mundo, en su práctica y su motivación de vida la importancia de vivir en un Estado de Derecho, en una Democracia, donde la idea de individuos libres, iguales en derechos , respeto a las diferencias y que el combate al racismo y la discriminación son importantes para una convivencia pacífica y más humana.

Una experiencia como esta y otras muchas a contar jamás seria Irene una persona discriminadora, racista y misógina.

PHD Ana Maria Calderón

RACISM-DISCRIMINATION

I wonder how you can talk about discrimination against a person like Irene Smith, without knowing not only her professional career but also a little about her personal life?

Irene is not only interested and concerned about her country, about the neighborhood where she lives, but also about knowing the Latin American culture.

She made her best effort to learn the Spanish language and travel to various Latin American countries, she was able to do it as a tourist, however she decided, for example: To live for more than two months in Guatemala, specifically in a village in Quetzaltenango where most languages ​​are spoken. Indigenous people such as the Quiché and Mam. She traveled alone, well not alone, because Irene would be accompanied by the courage that characterizes her, courage, charisma, sensitivity to others and her awareness of social and cultural differences. An experience like this of the many to tell would never be from a discriminatory, racist, misogynist person.

Her personality, attitude, commitment and principles allowed her to coexist and be accepted in this community where the distrust of its inhabitants is strong for having suffered for more than 30 years in the Armed Conflict, being victims of genocide and constant discrimination and racism.

If we want to talk about colors and races, one of the many elements to define racism, Irene and I began a professional relationship that little by little became friendship. I am Latina, brunette, brunette whatever you want to call me. I know the peoples quite well indigenous and even more so the Guatemalans, beautiful people who welcomed me for 7 years. I am Peruvian, with a peasant father and a mother from the capital, whom she met, married to a Latino husband of the same color as myself, and I am an Anthropologist.

Talking and branding a person as racist, discriminatory quickly is very risky, somewhat reckless or daring when personal or family life is unknown. Irene is clear in her vision of the world, in her practice and her motivation in life the importance of live in a State of Law, in a Democracy, where the idea of ​​free individuals, equal in rights, respect for differences and that the fight against racism and discrimination are important for a peaceful and more humane coexistence.

An experience like this and many others to tell would never make Irene a discriminating, racist and misogynistic person.

Note from Irene -

This is a letter from my dear friend of many years. We met when she became my Spanish teacher and she also taught my daughter. I went to Guatemala to study indigenous herbs for healing and to study textiles. I was fascinated that the method of weaving as well as the patterns told stories and even the way the dye was used told a story. My Spanish still isn’t fabulous but practice makes perfect. I stayed with a family so that I would only use Spanish and get closer to the culture. We still keep in touch.