What a marvelous introductory essay, Jeffrey, to your travels and your empathy for all you've come to know. I remain a deep admirer and wish you a wonderful break. xoxo ~ Mary
Tubaab. Qallunaat. Two of the words for stranger, outsider, that I have learned in my travels. I too know the strange sensation of suddenly realizing, despite my poverty and obscurity in my own nation, that I am viewed as wealthy and powerful by nations who suffered colonization by people who had the same genetic phenotype as I do.
You absorb the spirit and culture of every place you go, inhabiting a zone between native and visitor. It’s a pleasure to experience undreamed-of places through your eyes.
So fascinating! One of my goals this summer is to learn more about Latin American histories. That’s a blind spot in my high school World History class that I need to illuminate
Great post Jeffrey. I lived for awhile in Ecuador when I was working on my PhD. Something that is notable about the racial hierarchy in the Andes is how it intersects with gender, geography and ideas of development and modernity. Where you live, how you dress, how you speak may all be racially coded as more or less 'blanco' or 'indio'. In this sense racism looks a lot more like the British class system than the North American example. Circles of hell indeed and the long shadow of European colonialism.
I often think, unfortunately, that the very nature of the literature we share, the pursuit of aesthetics, already constitutes a luxury. We assume that this particular perspective—like so many other things—is universal. The 'universal' is nothing more than the dominant discourse.
Thank you for the reference to the novel. To suggest other classic titles that resonate in my memory, the stories from the series "El llano en llamas" by the Mexican author Juan Rulfo are unmatched in capturing that claustrophobic feeling of so many layers of oppression. Another reference in Spanish would be "Los santos inocentes" by Miguel Delibes, and finally, for the English-speaking audience who may not yet know it, "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" by Peter Matthiessen, one of my favourites, which so well illustrates that clash between exclusive and totalizing worldviews.
Thank you, Rafa. "El llano en llamas" is one of my favourite books and I relish your description of it. I must check out the Delibes, which I haven't read.
I loved this early essay and I’m so pleased you resisted the temptation to rewrite it. As with all your writing, your respect for the country and understanding of the plight of the poor and oppressed, shines throughout.
What a marvelous introductory essay, Jeffrey, to your travels and your empathy for all you've come to know. I remain a deep admirer and wish you a wonderful break. xoxo ~ Mary
Thank you so much, Mary! Such a lovely thing to say, and I'm truly appreciative of having you as a reader.
Tubaab. Qallunaat. Two of the words for stranger, outsider, that I have learned in my travels. I too know the strange sensation of suddenly realizing, despite my poverty and obscurity in my own nation, that I am viewed as wealthy and powerful by nations who suffered colonization by people who had the same genetic phenotype as I do.
Thank you, Holly. It's disorienting, isn't it, but ultimately important for us to realise how we are seen.
You absorb the spirit and culture of every place you go, inhabiting a zone between native and visitor. It’s a pleasure to experience undreamed-of places through your eyes.
Thank you, Rona. What a wonderful compliment to get. I'm truly humbled and appreciative.
Your wide-ranging curiosity is amazing, Jeffrey - enjoy your break!
Thank you, Troy! It's been great so far.
A wonderful piece, Jeffrey. It captures your reverence for travel and your keen perception of other cultures. :)
Thank you, Michael!
So fascinating! One of my goals this summer is to learn more about Latin American histories. That’s a blind spot in my high school World History class that I need to illuminate
Thank you, Jenna. In general, Latin American history is a huge blind spot in the UK.
Great post Jeffrey. I lived for awhile in Ecuador when I was working on my PhD. Something that is notable about the racial hierarchy in the Andes is how it intersects with gender, geography and ideas of development and modernity. Where you live, how you dress, how you speak may all be racially coded as more or less 'blanco' or 'indio'. In this sense racism looks a lot more like the British class system than the North American example. Circles of hell indeed and the long shadow of European colonialism.
Thank you, Simon! As you suggest, the shadow of European colonialism is long indeed.
I second what Kathleen says above! My reading list grows ever longer, but I’m not complaining 😊
I often think, unfortunately, that the very nature of the literature we share, the pursuit of aesthetics, already constitutes a luxury. We assume that this particular perspective—like so many other things—is universal. The 'universal' is nothing more than the dominant discourse.
Thank you for the reference to the novel. To suggest other classic titles that resonate in my memory, the stories from the series "El llano en llamas" by the Mexican author Juan Rulfo are unmatched in capturing that claustrophobic feeling of so many layers of oppression. Another reference in Spanish would be "Los santos inocentes" by Miguel Delibes, and finally, for the English-speaking audience who may not yet know it, "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" by Peter Matthiessen, one of my favourites, which so well illustrates that clash between exclusive and totalizing worldviews.
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14133/9780995632011
https://a.co/d/1LOoLx4
At Play in the Fields of the Lord https://a.co/d/hErMJS6
Thank you, Rafa. "El llano en llamas" is one of my favourite books and I relish your description of it. I must check out the Delibes, which I haven't read.
A masterpiece. You may also check the film, a powerful and loyal adaptation.
A beautifully painted picture with that signature self-awareness. This is another book I must read soon.
Have a wonderful break, Jeffrey!
Thank you, Kate! I'd love to know what you think of it.
I loved this early essay and I’m so pleased you resisted the temptation to rewrite it. As with all your writing, your respect for the country and understanding of the plight of the poor and oppressed, shines throughout.
Thank you, Maureen! Your comments mean a lot to me.