SAN CRISTOBAL -orientation

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Be considerate, listening is not just waiting for your turn to speak.

Hope and Mateo gave us an overview of the history and current situation. This made it easier to integrate the various talks we were to attend with groups that specialize in particular areas.

Mexican History 101.
After the conquest in the 1500’s the kings of Spain gave land and the people on it to Spanish nobility.

1531 The Virgin of Guadalupe (www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/mary0003.htm/ ) appeared to an indigenous farmer; important because this confirm that the indigenous are actually human and children of God.

Early 1800’s independence movements began but not much changes for the people; there are other more factual sites but this gives several interesting vignettes about the colorful leaders that I particularly enjoyed.

Recent Mexican History
1911 Land reforms passed but not implemented
1930 Some land reform and nationalization of oil companies
1970-1980’s some action to distribute land but was one step forward three back
1994 In Chiapas the Zapatistas start taking the land back.
Currently they are on a campaign to educated the disenfranchised people of Mexico.

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