I continue to find it very interesting the verbiage used between the ancient Maya the modern Maya. And, although I just committed the error, I do not really understand why we label them as two separate civilizations. I think this may have part to do with the problem. This would be like always referring to Americans depending on whether they lived before the 1900’s or after. This seems to segregate the Maya from the past to the present, thus perpetuating the problem. Are they not one, whole, unique civilization? Why should time divide them?
The Maya today possess so many qualities that mirror those of their ancestors. After looking at the website http://www.archaeology.org/9707/etc/maya.html , I was astounded to how today’s Maya engage in so many practices that resemble their past practices. According to the website, "Considering that 500 years have elapsed since the Spanish Conquest," says Harvard University ethnologist Evon Z. Vogt, "I am impressed with the enduring nature of Classic Maya religious concepts and beliefs." Their daily and religious practices all seem to envelope the beautiful colors and intricate details of their past.
The Maya today seem to be facing a real plethora of problems. They are constantly discriminated against. They have an immense desire to cleave onto their culture as it is being stripped away from them, and they are constantly set apart from their ancestors, never living up to their accomplishments. The violence that took place in the 1980s, as well as the problems facing the Maya in Chiapas, seems to progressively be becoming the norm. And, it’s not just with the Maya. The discrimination of the indigenous people seems to be one constant in an ever-changing Central America. So, how do we change this?
In conclusion, when we as humans are able to glorify our present day civilizations in a way that we do with our past civilizations, we may be able to escape the hatred, violence and discrimination that have suppressed people and their potential.
