The Beauty and Horror of Truth

Although born in Guatemala I was raised here in America, and thus my list of readings were similar to those of any other U.S. citizen. Read American novels and read American history. But I've had an awakening in my reading of political essays and novels from Latin America. In the past I thought I'd had a decent understanding of the country I grew up in and its standing in the world. From my reading and learning I now know that what I knew before was only the tip of the iceberg.

After reading stories of CIA supported coups to the exploitation of nations through trade agreements, I was painted an entirely new picture of America. Much of my reading had come from James Cockcroft's, Latin America: History, Politics, and US Policy. It's hard for me now to hold America in high regard as I once had, especially considering its involvement in the atrocities that had occurred in Guatemala. The best way to describe the U.S. foreign policy is a saying by Cockcroft: "Preach democracy, practice terrorism."

While reading these articles I was reminded of Malcolm X's own experience, in that I was overwhelmed with anger and disbelief, though not taken to a racial level. I can't agree with most of the U.S. policies made in the past but I can't deny the prosperity those decisions have brought to the country and its people. Now I'm only left wondering, "What about the rest of the world?"

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