Maya Today

The Maya civilization is having to face many problems that are unfair in today's society. First that the Maya people cant be free to express themselves and their culture. Second that they are afraid of how people would react because of where their roots come from. Lastly that this is all still going on today.
The Maya people are afraid to dress how they would traditionally dress in their "Trajes" all due to fear of calling attention to themselves and having people think that they are Maya, it makes me think of a cop being afraid to wear his uniform because people would then think that he is a cop when he really is. It makes me sad knowing that the Mayas get discriminated when i think that people should want to learn more about different cultures and have them express it more, not force them to hide it. I don't think that it is fair how people judge them just because of where hey came from people cant decide who their ancestors are so why should they be judged for it?
Racism is something that happens everywhere but i think that having the government involved is going too far. The Mayas feel threatened by the Mexican government and the Zapatistas just because of their Mayan life and their beliefs. I think that the Maya culture should be something that is appreciated and accepted and not have all of these Mayan people afraid to be themselves just because of how people might react. In today's society it seems that people are more open to wanting to learn about the past and to learn about a culture that has many fascinating things, not to keep it hidden away and bring fear to these indigenous people.

    The last time i went to Mexico was when i went with my grandma and my big brother i was about 11 or 12 and we went to Torreon, Coahuila which was where my mother was born. It was my first time ever going to Mexico so i was excited. Three of of the things that come to my mind would be some of the poverty that i saw while i was visiting, different lifestyle and the fast food restaurants.

    When i was younger my mother used to tell me how they used to live in a "Casa de Carton" a cardboard house and it would always be so difficult for me to try to imagine someone living in a casa de carton because i grew up with the opportunity to live in a well built warm house. When i went to Mexico was when i first saw one and what i saw was a little house made out of cut milk cartons and cardboard and some sheets it was then when i was able to visualize what my mom was trying to make me see. I appreciated living where i was living then, it might not have huge like most people would want but it was my home and the size didn't matter anymore i was grateful for having a nice home. We stayed at my grandmas house that she had their and i had to do things differently than i would have done at home in the United States.

    Living in the United States where we take so much things fore granted i learned to appreciate the little things i had when i stayed in Mexico. In the united States we have the reward of turning the sink key that says hot and hot water comes out or taking a shower and having warm water come out of the shower head. In Mexico i couldn't take a shower i had to take baths and i would have to fill a huge pot with water put it on the stove that i had to light and warm it up if it was too hot then i had to wait until it cooled than i had to carry the water to the tub and take a cup with me and use it to get water and pour onto my head. It was defiantly more difficult than if i would have showered in America. Also washing clothes was done by hand when i was in Mexico and i would have to hang my clothes so that they would dry. Fast food restaurants was also something that was different.

    In America fast food restaurants play a huge role in most of Americans life. When i was in Mexico yes they had Mcdonalds, Burger King and Dominoes Pizza and many more fast food restaurants but they are not visited as much as they are in America. I remember that we passed by a McDonalds and i asked my cousin if she has eaten Mcdonalds and she told me that she had never been their i was taken back by her saying that because i remember always going to McDonalds when i was her age. It seemed weird for me to hear that when its something that is so common in America. Even though things were different than from what i was used to i still enjoyed going to Mexico and having the chance to see how other countries live and it was a life changing trip for me. It made me realize that we do have it easy here even though times may seem hard it can always be worse somewhere else but those people are still happy just knowing that they are alive and healthy.