Guatemala and Spanish Cultures Essay -- essays research papers

Guatemala has more people than any other Central Ameri potty demesne, with an estimated population of 11,980,000 it is home to many different cultures. The population can be divided into two groups Indians and people of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. But in Guatemala, being called an Indian or a non-Indian does not cypher entirely on a persons ancestry. It is basically a matter of how people live and of how they categorize themselves. For example, a Guatemalan is considered an Indian if he or she speaks an Indian language, wears Indian clothing, and lives in a community where the people follow the Indian ways of life. The Indians think of themselves more as part of their community than of their country. They pay curt attention to affairs outside the community. Indians make up about 45 percent of the population of Guatemala. Most of them are extremely poor and uneducated. Spanish is the authorized languages spoken in Guatemala, but there are 20 other Indian languages that are spoken as well. Guatemalas fifth constitution was adopted in 1956. The army seized the government again in 1963, and a sixth constitution went into effect in 1966. Elections were held that year, and civilian government was restored under President Julio Cesar Mendez Montenegro. But the country remained troubled. Secret political extremist groups both rightist and leftist made terror raids. Guatemalan political leaders, the U.S. ambassador, and others were killed during the raids.The movie El Norte tells the story of how two siblings (Enrique and rosita) retrogress all of their family to military raids in Mexico. When seems to be next to impossible to survive in Mexico, the two decide to flee to the North (America) which they feel ca be there stepping stone to opportunities and freedom. After a difficult journey the finally arrive in America. As illegal immigrants they had to find immediate work and the had to decide to adjust to American cultures, for instance Rosita did not know how to use a washer and dryer so she did it as if she were still in Mexico. maculation both of them worked hours of hard labor daily, Enrique is offered a job in Chicago that could guarantee him the right to a green card, but in order to contract the job he would have to leave Rosita behind. Meanwhile, Rosita becomes very ill from being exposed to rats during their journey to America. At the last minute Enr... ... and add a green card instead of sticking with her. When they got to the United States they were exposed to American cultures that were not like there own. Enrique was introduced to a characteristic of the American baseball club when Macte tried to tell Enrique to leave his sister behind and leap toward the future and leave the past behind him, which is a mentality that most Americans have (Paz 65). As mentioned earlier when Rosita was working she did not know how to use the washer and dryer which seems to be a aboveboard task for Americans but it was unfamiliar to R osita and she ended up laying the clothes outside. Many North American cultures are taken for granted until we see someone who is not used to simple things such as washing clothes with a machine. Earlier in the movie we saw Rosita washing clothes by hand it was more or less as if the movie repeated itself but just showed the same task in a different environment which really stressed the difference in cultures.Work CitedConnor, Walker., Heath Shirley B., and Paz Octavio. Who Are the Mexican-Americans? A note on Comparability. Washington D.C. The Urban Press, 1985Guatemala Encyclopedia Britanica. Vol 5. 1996, 536-37