Essay Sample on Zapatista Movement

Introduction

The word cosmopolitan is derived from the Greek word kosmopolites. Cosmopolitan refers to a citizen of the world (Cosmopolitan, 2002). A cosmopolitan focuses on traditional views that pay attention to the attachment of people to a place, their culture and customs. A cosmopolitan believes that all people regardless of their status, race, and political stand are citizens of a single community (Cosmopolitan, 2002). A cosmopolitan movement, therefore, advocates for equality of citizens and fair treatment regardless of their identity. The Zapatista movement refused to be defined by their origins which made them indigenous. They wanted to be treated as citizens of the world granted the same rights and protection which makes them a cosmopolitan movement.

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The name Zapatista originates from Emiliana Zapato who was the leader of the Liberation Army of the South (Godelmann, 2014). The Zapatista Movement was formed in 1994 when a group of indigenous communities came together to fight for their rights and seek recognition from the Mexican government (Godelmann, 2014). Indigenous people in Mexico constitute fifteen per cent of the total population numbering to about twelve million seven hundred people. The majority of the indigenous people live in the southern states (Godelmann, 2014). The indigenous people were not recognized by the Mexican government and lived in poverty despite coming from areas that were rich in resources. The people rebelled forming the Zapatista Army of National Liberation through which they fought for their rights (Zapatista Movement, 2018). This paper analyses the Zapatista movement with a particular focus on its origin and purpose as well as the role of community, non-governmental organizations and community development workers in the movement.

Origins of the Zapatista Movement

The term Zapatista refers to a group of indigenous communities in southern Mexico believed to have originated from the jungles and highlands of the Chiapas (Zapatista Movement, 2018). The indigenous communities believed the Mexican government had marginalized them. The communities also felt that the government was oppressing them by taking their lands, violating their rights, forceful migration and forcing an education system that completely disregarded their culture and beliefs (Zapatista Movement, 2018). The highlight of the oppression was the North American Trade Free Agreement (NAFTA) between the Mexican government, the United States government and the government of Canada (Zapatista Movement, 2018). The North American Trade Free Agreement was viewed by the Zapatista as a threat to their interests. The agreement was meant to open opportunities for the United States and Canadian businesses by allowing them to rent the land belonging to the Zapatista (Zapatista Movement, 2018).

The North American Trade Free Agreement sparked a revolution led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). The EZLN comprised mostly the Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Chol, Tjobal, Zoque, Kanjobal, and Mame (Godelmann, 2014). The movement referred to as a peasant movement was led by Sub-commandant Marcos (McMichael, 2012). The leader has been key to the success of the movement. The purpose of the EZLN was to represent the rights of the indigenous people of Chiapas. The state of the Zapatista was deplorable with low-income levels, high levels of malnutrition, poor healthcare and lack of piped water despite being the source of natural water.

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation declared war on 1st January 1994 which coincided with the day of NAFTA implementation (Godelmann, 2014). The Zapatistas took up arms against the Mexican government and invaded four towns of Chiapas and seizing control of them (Godelmann, 2014). The Zapatistas cried foul over the NAFTA claiming it would reduce the demand for local products which would hurt the economy of the community. The movement called for the abrogation of the NAFTA. The violence lasted for eleven days after which the Mexican government called for negotiations. The government promised to offer benefits and protection to the Zapatista. However, the President, Ernesto Zedillo went back on his word and sent troops to reclaim control of the towns and capture the leaders of the movement (Godelmann, 2014). The troops together with the police chased the Zapatista back to the mountains, burnt their homes, wrecked businesses and imprisoned many. All the communities that had ties to the EZLN were victimized and displaced forcing the Red Cross to intervene by setting up refugee camps for them (Godelmann, 2014).

The Zapatista fought back by use of the media who highlighted their plight winning the sympathy of many which put the Mexican government under immense pressure. The Zapatista followed this up by use of social media to fight for their rights which gave a negative image of the Mexican government. In 1996 there was a reprieve for the Zapatista as an agreement was signed with the government granting them autonomy and additional rights (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). The agreement gave power to the EZLN which became popular and continued to advocate for the rights of its people.

Efforts Made by the Community in Supporting the Zapatista Movement

The community is the core of the Zapatista Movement. It is the men and women of the indigenous communities that came together to form the EZLN. Together, they fight for their rights calling for democracy and recognition. Between 1994 and 1996 when the movement was engaged in war with the Mexican government, the women and children were isolated and placed in refugee camps (Hess, 2018). The women stepped up and found ways of making their voices heard. This year, the female militants of EZLN organized an event during International Women's day welcoming people from all walks of life to come to listen to their cry for help (Hess, 2018). The event was aimed at welcoming women and it attracted over two thousand women from Chiapas and five thousand visitors from other parts of the world. The women highlighted issues of gender inequality and the importance of fighting for their rights (Hess, 2018).

The Role Community of Development Workers Play in Empowering Communities

Community development workers have played their part in improving the state of the communities supporting the Zapatista movement. The Samuel Family Foundation launched the Connecting Care Project which distributed community development workers in Chiapas to provide medication to the ill, offer advice and counsel the people (Community Care, 2016). The community development workers pay close attention to the mentally ill and the disabled (Community Care, 2016). Concern America is another organization that has focused on ensuring community development in Chiapas. Concern America launched the Chiapas Water Project whose aim is to provide clean water to the communities (The Chiapas Water Project, 2018). Besides providing clean water, the project is also aimed at providing access to food, helping the people generate income, improving hygiene and prevention of diseases (The Chiapas Water Project, 2018).

The community has also helped develop a website for the Zapatistas. The website known as Enlace Zapatista is a medium of communication for the movement providing information about its activities (Additional Resources, 2018). The media also continues to play an active role by covering the lives and activities of the Zapatista. Z Magazine provides articles that discuss the difficulties faced by the Zapatista. Other media outlets that continue to act as the voice for the Zapatista movement are Desinformemonos, La Jornada, El Proceso, and Radio Zapatista (Additional Resources, 2018).

Role of Non-governmental Organizations in Supporting the Zapatista Movement

Red Cross was the first organization to come to the aid of the Zapatista Movement during the violence that erupted in 1994 (Zapatista Movement, 2018). Red Cross set up a refugee camp for the displaced communities. However, in the end, the Zapatista rejected the help from Red Cross (Zapatista Movement, 2018). Another impact made by Non-Governmental Organizations was towards the dissemination of information on the plight of the Zapatista (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). The EZLN was poorly equipped in terms of weapons and thus turned to NGOs to mobilize for support. The NGO's communicated the views of the EZLN through their leader Sub-commandant Marcos who was an eloquent spokesman of the movement (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). The Mexican government labelled the EZLN as a group of selfish individuals strung on taking over power. This was an attempt to take the attention away from the movement and ensure they had no support. The NGO's did the opposite showing the positive intentions of the movement. NGO's questioned the government's treatment of the indigenous people of Chiapas and the lack of democracy (Ronfeldt et al, 1999).

The Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations for Peace (CONPAZ) was formed to coordinate the efforts of the various NGO's working to help the Zapatistas (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). The National Commission for Democracy was another NGO that served as a public relations department for the EZLN (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). It ensured the movement was seen as non-violent and helped voice their concerns. Other NGO's played their role through reports. The Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights wrote reports of how the troops were torturing the Zapatista (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). Amnesty International and Americas Watch published reports highlighting the violation of human rights by the Mexican government (Ronfeldt et al, 1999). Up to date the NGO's have been the voice of the Zapatista Movement calling for equality and protection of their rights. The NGO's have helped the Zapatista movement gain the support of the people which has on numerous occasions forced the Mexican government to give in to the pressure and grant the Zapatista their rights.

Currently, many NGO's are involved with the Zapatista movement helping them to achieve their quest for democracy and autonomous. Popular Communicators for Autonomy (COMPPA) is an NGO based in Mexico which is empowering the Zapatista movement through communications (Additional Resources, 2018). PreMedios provides equipment that enables the Zapatista movement to create their own videos. The organization has trained the youth on the use of video equipment and computers to enable them to produce videos which it airs on its YouTube channel (Additional Resources, 2018). The Organic Consumers Association is an organization that campaigns for the health, justice and sustainability of the communities in Chiapas (Additional Resources, 2018). Big Noise Films have made several films that have highlighted the plight of the people in Chiapas. One of the films is Zapatista produced in 1999 which showed the struggle for liberation by the Zapatista movement (Additional Resources, 2018). Companero Manuel is a volunteer group that helps the movement in terms of health care, education and economic development. Teaching for Change is another organization that avails tools to help students and teachers in Zapatista schools to read and write (Additional Resources, 2018).

Conclusion

The Zapatista movement rose to prominence in 1994 fighting for the rights of indigenous people in Mexico. The movement faced opposition from the government when they invaded and took control of four towns. The fight lasted for two years after which the government granted the indigenous people autonomous and recognized them. Several players have been involved in the success of the movement. The community has supported the movement with every member playing an active role, both men and women. Community development workers have also helped improve the education system, health care, hygiene and nutrition of the people. Non-gover...