CHS 323 (Monday) Notes

Progress and Coursework in PhD Program

  • Current Coursework
    • Need to complete three more courses to advance in the PhD program.
    • Courses scheduled for Spring at UCLA.
    • Likely reconfiguration of class schedule due to conflicts with PhD classes.
    • Potential for online modules on Mondays.
  • Personal Adjustments
    • Instructor is coordinating to ensure the class remains interactive despite schedule changes.
    • Aiming for a blend of online (Monday) and in-person (Wednesday) sessions.
    • Instructor expresses gratitude for students' patience regarding changes.

Thesis Submission Status

  • Thesis Submission
    • Instructor submitted the final draft of the thesis to committee members last Thursday.
    • Awaiting feedback and edits to finalize the document.
    • Official submission deadline is March 20.

Class Ice Breaker Discussion

  • Topics Raised
    1. Favorite late-night snacks.
    2. Discussion around colonialism.
    3. Knowledge of Guatemala.
  • Key Student Responses
    • References to the banana wars and the United Fruit Company.
    • Discussion on Guatemalan socialists and the impact of U.S. corporate interests on democracy.
    • Mention of regime change in Guatemala and the role of rebel forces.

Historical Context: Guatemala and U.S. Involvement

  • U.S. Intervention
    • In 1954, the U.S. supported a military coup against the democratically elected president of Guatemala, Jacobo Arbenz.
    • Motivations included protecting the profits of the United Fruit Company, which had significant economic control in the country.
    • The coup resulted in a prolonged period of dictatorship and violence in Guatemala, leading to significant upheaval and suffering.
  • Culmination of Violence
    • U.S. policies supported horrific human rights violations, massacres, and genocides against the Maya population.
    • Emphasis on the role of U.S.-funded and trained military forces in committing these acts.

Educational Recommendations and Literature

  • Suggested Reading
    • "The Tattooed Soldier" is recommended for its portrayal of the impacts of genocide and migration resulting from U.S. policies in Central America.

Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy and Colonialism

  • Textual Analysis of Documentary
    • Discussion on a 1962 documentary by Chet Huntley about Guatemala's communist government and the subsequent coup.
    • Highlights the U.S. strategy framed under the guise of anti-communism for economic exploitation.
    • U.S. industry's vested interests over the welfare of the Guatemalan populace are critiqued.

Colonialism and Modern Implications

  • Concept of Settler Colonialism
    • Settler colonialism posits that indigenous peoples are systematically displaced to allow for settler expansion and economic interests.
    • Discussion of how settler colonialism continues to propagate colonial ideologies and exclusion of indigenous knowledge.
  • Examination of Linguistic and Cultural Appropriation
    • The importance of maintaining the integrity of indigenous names and cultural identities.
    • Critique of the tendency for dominant cultures to dismiss indigenous ways of knowing in favor of colonial narratives.

Ethical Issues in Adoption and Cultural Assimilation

  • Adoption as a Colonial Strategy
    • Adoption of indigenous children by U.S. central families as a continuation of settler colonial ideologies.
    • Implication that removing children from their indigenous contexts is a form of cultural genocide.
    • Historical context around indigenous adoption trends illustrates how systemic exploitation of indigenous populations continues.

Historical Tragedies and Contemporary Connections

  • Recent Realities
    • Overview of the ongoing struggles of indigenous populations across the globe, echoing historical tragedies faced in Guatemala and the larger Central American region.
    • Reference to statistics about violence against indigenous groups and the associated invisibility in mainstream narratives.

Inquiry into United States Ideological Constructs

  • Conversations on US-Hegemony
    • Students reflect on how narratives around communism influence U.S. foreign policy.
    • Recognition that labeling governments as communist often serves to justify interventions and oppressions under the guise of protecting democracy.

Approach to Indigeneity in Academics

  • Critical Latinx Indigeneities
    • Caution regarding claiming indigeneity without substantial connection to the heritage.
    • Importance of understanding the complexities of indigenous identities beyond simplistic rebranding as a trend.

Wrap-Up and Next Steps for Class

  • Future Class Activities
    • Film screening planned to complement classroom discussions on these topics.
    • Emphasis placed on critical engagement with materials relating to indigenous issues, anti-colonial movements, and migration policies.