The sound of horns, spoons to pots/pans, and whistles ride the breeze through my window as the protests and demonstrations end their sixth day.
The atmosphere here is that of a moments prior to a football game. Everyone in the stands know that a collision is going to occur, it's just a matter of how intense and how long. In this case, I don't mean collision as two bodies forcefully impacting each other, though that could happen, but more so the ideas/sides are moving in that direction (again) and the anticipation looms large over each minute.
First and foremost, after talking with the headmaster this afternoon, we (teachers and staff of CIC) are OK. If you don't know what I'm talking about it's OK (I'll post some links at the end of the post), your part of the world isn't too interested with the civil unrest of Venezuela.
Long and short of it, the opposition to the Chavista movement have engaged in a series of demonstrations over the course of nearly a week to show their dissatisfaction (to put it lightly) of the way the current administration is handling things. The rampant food shortages, corruption, inflation, crime, and other issues have been the main points of unrest.
The last four days we have gotten out early and had dwindled attendance in classes. Our percentage of students during these days have hit a high of 43% (secondary) and a low of 3% (elementary), but most are scattered in between. Today we had classes cancelled as the citizenry had set up roadblocks to force a strike against working, while there were two major marches held in the capital of Caracas.
This morning, the sounds of the previous night started early, 4am. The majority of roadblocks were up by 9am while the masses gathered for a march that was to take place at 10am. A group of us foreign hire teachers made the trek to Jon and Randi's house to hangout. We spent most of the day watching people near his house constructing roadblocks out of garbage, tree limbs, boxes, car parts, glass bottles (broken), window frames, doors, broken tiles, and tires. All of which were lit on fire. While we witnessed this construction, we watched streamed CNN, checked twitter, and screened facebook to monitor what was going on. All of the TV stations carried by the government are not showing any footage (except the pro-government march today) and many other media outlets are censored. Twitter and other websites have been altered to withhold images and information from being published on the web. Later our headmaster (superintendent) came over.
He told us he walked all the way to where many of us live and that things were active but safe. He said that only a few businesses were open in the plaza, but we could order Papa Johns if we wanted. We talked about school the next few days and where to go from here. He didn't have the answers, but was constantly checking in with security and local employees on his phone. He told us he would be in touch and he left to head home. Shortly after his stop, we hit the trail back to our apartments before nightfall. Things were starting to build back up and the road home was littered with debris used in making roadblocks.
If I was a betting man, and I am- we won't have school tomorrow.
Here are some images from today. Those of Leopoldo Lopez below (not my pictures) will probably make international news (or the one of him kissing his wife).
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| National Guard Vehicle |
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| The 'hood. |
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| Lopez |
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| Lopez making his speech before his arrest. |
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| Lopez' view. Not a selfie. |
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| Lopez giving one last show to the people before his jailing. |
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| Roadblock (notice the fire). |
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| The hood again. |
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| Roadblock complete with burning tire. |
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| Another roadblock. |
Observations
1. The power of information. Both sides seemingly are trying to use this to promote its cause (obviously), but social media seems to be the great equalizer. Each side uses the various programs to set up gatherings, show pictures of the injured, spread video, and many opposition supporters are tagging famous people and major media to try to generate coverage. If you check out the hashtag #venezuela you'll see tons of pictures and statements from both sides. You don't have to use google translate, but check out the photos. The problem with social media, is you don't know what is real and what is well done photoshopping.
2. Polar division. Remember, oh say the last few US elections? The huge division between both parties due to their move away from the moderation/the middle (yet, strangely enough saying the same thing- check out some of the speeches between Gore and W or Obama and Romney and you'll see). It's polarized even more here, but much more passionate and with much more at stake. In the States, we have other bodies of government that keep others in check (remember the checks and balances lesson in US History?) and keep things moving (or not). Here, they recently gave Maduro power of decree (he doesn't need approval from the other bodies) so the decisions made and issues that result are very caustic to both sides. Basically, it's one side or the other and it's intense. Many blame the government for 15 years of oppression and the laundry list of issues, while the other side feels things are moving well and the revolution is strong. No middle ground, it's US vs. THEM.
3. My students have it figured out. I had them write a short piece using vocab words (haha, I really just wanted insight without the discussion as we are an apolitical school) about their thoughts and feelings about this. Many said it was a vicious cycle of struggle, up rise, indifference and then repeat. The said much of it is due to lack of education in the poorer communities and that the numbers on either side don't change because of policies, socio-economic divide, and apathy that keep the game from changing. Many said they can't wait to live and that this country will die because it will become "unlivable". It tugged on the heart strings a little to know that many of these students have seen this their whole life, but I was comforted by the fact that many would go to university in the US or Europe.
4. Censorship. It may be alleged in some cases, but there is a lot of information and visuals that are not getting out. TV, radio, and the lack of paper for ink sources are just a few of the issues. When you have a Ministry of Communication and Information, it seems tough to think that everything will be on the up and up. It (censorship) apparently got so bad that the hacker group Anonymous hacked the government website and one of its twitter handles.
5. I don't know what will happen. I don't know where this goes from here. The opposition wants the President to resign, but I don't know if that is feasible. What chips do they (opposition) have? What can they use as leverage? If this is chess, they are basically asking for the other pieces to stay still and the other player to hand over their King. Maybe now the Leopoldo (an opposition leader) has turned himself in (the cause of the huge march in Caracas) they can use that as collateral, but I don't know. I'm not strong in the area of political theater, I just listen, read, and observe. It's not my fight, but it's hard to watch having invested interest in students, colleagues, and friends.
George Orwell once said, "He who controls the past, controls the future. He who controls the present, controls the past." I feel that this statement is living right now here. There seems to be a lot more riding on this series of protests and action than those that came before it.
The book 1984 (I just started reading it a few days ago) seems to have hit this and other worldly issues on the head. I just hope that Venezuela gets it right this time. I hope they figure out a way to make it work, because there is a lot of work and change that needs to happen to improve the quality of life here for its citizens.
It's crazy to think right now this situation is happening here, Thailand, and the Ukraine. It would be nice if things were good everywhere and we could all watch Ice Dancing and Curling, but they aren't.
Links
If you are interested in some of this stuff, check out these links and learn more.
Expelling US diplomats.
Neutrality even has a cost.
A opposition member's problem with the protests.
Leopolodo Lopez turning himself in.
The US plotting with protesters to flip Venezuela?
Gunfire at the gathering.
To reiterate, things are ok here. We (school employees and leadership) are safe and smart. We don't put people at risk and respect the opinions of both sides. It's not our war, we are just observers and we are encouraged to not get involved. Friends and family there is no need to worry, but if you are nervous stay informed. If things go bad (I don't think they will) you'll hear from me.
That's all. Nothing fancy, nothing funny (hardly the time), just what I've seen and read.
Until next time,
KRS
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