The Circle of Injustice

"In January 2012, after 30 years of legal impunity, former Guatemalan general and dictator Efraín Ríos Montt found himself indicted by a Guatemalan court for crimes against humanity. Against all odds, he was charged with committing genocide in the 1980s against the country's poor, Mayan people." pbs.org

Image taken from pbs.org

It took many years and this act was brought to justice thanks to protagonists in Guatemala, Spain and the United States. It was inspiring to see few of those protagonists, Pamela Yates and her husband, Paco. They presented their documentary "Granito: How To Nail a Dictator" which revealed how people of Guatemala, along with international help, tried to bring justice to occurring tyranny against them. 

Instead of re-telling the plot (since I recommend for anyone, who hasn't seen it yet, to watch it), I want to expand on the impact this documentary has played. Watching "Granito" reminded me about my own country. It made me think that no matter where in the world: Europe, Africa, Latin America, China, the United States, and others, the poor and those who strive to gain freedom, truth and justice-are still struggling to this day. 

In the name of greed and the power of privileged, societies are manipulated and masses of people are being killed. The change is possible, but, unfortunately, it's slow. And that's what really stuck from the documentary (because this applies not only to Guatemala but to any nation trying to fight for justice). Until political elite will hold privilege using its power to defend wrongful people, the history just will keep repeating itself.

Interestingly enough, after watching this film, I also found references to Guatemala in the book called "Manufacturing Consent" by Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman (also highly recommended.) As it was mentioned in the documentary, this book also discusses the capability of the United States to cover its interests and involvement in the genocide that happened in Guatemala. 

In fact, the examples are given how media purposely was not covering any issues associated with that matter, only brief mentions. About the mass media's "worthy" and "unworthy" victims, the illustrated example in the book compares media coverage of Jerzy Popieluszko ("worthy victim")-- a Polish priest who was murdered due to his fight for solidarity (blame was put on communists) and other "unworthy" victims in Latin countries. It makes you wonder, what role does the media play? "Granito" serves as example of impact a single documentary can make. Imagine the effect if all of the media would try to expose the truth in a correct matter. Unfortunately, as we have learned in quite a few of presentations and readings, the media isn't quite there yet.

In addition, I found a reference in the book about Nineth de Garcia (a mother of Alexandar Garcia, a young lady who was worried about her father's disappearance). It tells that in attempt to gain support abroad two of the remaining leaders of GAM (activist group) traveled to Europe. Because of ill health Garcia had to cancel her visits in Washington D.C.  and flew directly from Europe to Chicago. There she ended up being interrogated and harassed by officials of  INS Who called her a subversive and a communist. When the press conference was held in Chicago by supporters of GAM to protest this outrage, the major media did not attend and neither the press releases, formal follow-up letters, etc. break the silence.

Their simple justification was that the convergence between Reagan Administration policy toward Guatemala and media priority was complete. Guatemala's army, on the other hand, gave this response:"... a black campaign of falsehood... Insults and insolence directed at the military institution that exceed the boundaries of liberty and tolerance for free speech." Really?

As in the past, that unworthiness of victims remains an essential ingredient in the Guatemalan army's continued freedom to kill and an excuse for mass media in the United States "not to pay attention."Unfortunately, as this article discusses, even though some of the justice has been served, the people of Guatemala are still struggling and striving for justice to this day...