Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú criticized the government's involvement in and the American media coverage of Hurricane Stan's wake in Central America when she was the guest of honor of Latino Arts Inc. in Friday's concluding ceremony to Hispanic Heritage Month.
With the aid of an English translator, Menchú, a native of Guatemala, addressed students from the United Community Center Middle School and attendees from the Milwaukee area at the United Community Center, 1028 S. Ninth St.
Because of Hurricane Stan, which hit earlier this month, and the disasters it left behind in Guatemala, Menchú cited this as her most painful speaking tour. She said she felt an "incredible powerlessness" for not being able to aid victims of the disaster.
Because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the United States and the recent earthquake in Pakistan that left almost 40,000 people dead, Menchú said she believes the situation in Central America has not received enough attention. While she would like to directly help fulfill the immediate needs of the area, including vaccinations, victim relocation, and food relief, Menchú said she realizes her presence in North America has its benefits as well.
"By working together, we can help the situation there," she said. For instance, Menchú urged diverting weapons funding to humanitarian ends as a way to rebuild after the hurricane.
Although the U.S. government has donated to the reconstruction efforts of Central America, Menchú cited the importance of preserving the native cultures. According to Menchú, countries that offer help often unintentionally impose their culture on the one affected. Menchú cited an occasion where the United States donated western-style clothes to victims who had only ever worn their native attire.
In reconstruction, "cultures and customs must be respected, not done from a mono-cultural point of view," Menchú said.
Menchú was raised in the Quiche branch of the Mayan culture and has contributed toward social justice to her native Guatemala.
According to Menchú, the Guatemalan government must experience an internal change in order to achieve lasting effects.
"What our humanity needs are wise leaders who make decisions calmly and in a humble fashion. This is a quality that is never too young to cultivate," Menchú said.
Menchú explained how children can learn the basics of good leadership through volunteer efforts in their communities.
"I believe the greatest thing about humanity is generosity and humility," she said. "Humble people are wise people and normally end up doing great things in life."
Menchú addressed the students in the audience in her call for people to create change.
"All of us have a little child in us and in our hearts. But in recent times humanity has become ashamed and many of us have lost that piece of child," Menchú said.
In addition to winning the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize, Menchú has brought attention to the conditions of native communities through her biography "I, Rigoberta Menchú," as well as through her involvement in resistance efforts toward oppressive regimes.
Menchú spoke about the hardships she has experienced as progressive strides toward the stability of culturally secure societies.
"After my greatest sufferings have come great blessings," she said.
Menchú's speech resonated with the audience of about 200.
"There is very little in our media dealing with Central American news," said Cesar Cerna, a Salvadorian Mayan who came to listen to Menchú, regarding Menchú's comments about a lack of Central American media coverage. "You have to go to an independent media and even then they do not give enough" news.
"The experts and the people with educations aren't the people with the most knowledge for the community," said observer Marilynn Weiland. She also said the planning done for these regions should be done by the minority communities who understand the cultures best.
This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on October 18, 2005.