September 7, 2017--La Clase Final

Rev. Dr. Youngsook Kang

Women’s movement in Mexico: Tears in My Heart
Mujeres el la Historica de Mexico

I have tears in my heart for the indigenous women of Mexico who have suffered from discrimination, racism and economic injustice for hundreds of years.

We had a CHARLA (conversation) yesterday with Martha Mata, who works as the administrator of CETLALIC, on the history of the women’s movement in Mexico.  She gave an excellent presentation on the women’s movement in Mexico with a focus on indigenous women. The women’s movement in Mexico dates back to the pre-Hispanic era and runs through the colonial period, the revolutionary period and modern times.

As women’s movement progressed over time, it is notable how women leaders broke their gender roles to take great risks that required great courage.  In the revolutionary period, for example, many women served as soldiers and others as leaders.  In the following years, women leaders pioneered to claim women’s vote rights, participate in the congress, and gain equal rights for education and jobs.  

What caught my attention is how female artists fought against the traditional depiction of women- i.e., objectification of women.  Female artists claimed their own identity and attempted to change the image of women given by a patriarchal culture and society.

Frida Kahlo, one of the most celebrated artists in Mexico, depicted the women’s
experience and identity through her self-portraits. In fact, wherever you go in Mexico,
you encounter her image. She is certainly not only a feminist icon but a national icon
here in Mexico.

Another woman who impressed me is Rosario Ibana de Piedra. She became an activist after her son, Jesus Piedra Ybarra, disappeared in 1975. She appealed to many places about her son’s disappearance, but to no avail.  Then, in 1977, she formed a community of women and organized “the Comité Eureka de Desaparecidos ("The Eureka Committee of the Disappeared") with another 100 women who similarly lost their children.  They opened a museum called Muse Casa Memorium Indomita sharing the pictures of their lost young children there. Outside the museum, 43 empty chairs are displayed as a symbol of those young men who disappeared on September 13, 2014.

In a separate session today, presenters on ecumenical women in the social movement and people of the LGBTQ community talked about the continued violence against women.  Violence and prejudice against women is a human rights issue. Despite such dark reality, it was encouraging to see even a small group of people fighting against injustice.  

I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about Mexico’s history and its current realities. As found in the practice of the Christian Base Community movement (CEBs), seeing the reality firsthand is the basis for engaging ourselves in actions for God’s justice.  I hope this awakening to the unjust situations of indigenous women in Mexico helps lead to my deeper engagement in actions of justice, however small it may be.

Closing thoughts

I had thought my consciousness was raised about the struggles of the under-privileged. I thought I had read enough. I thought I had traveled enough.  I thought I had seen enough. I thought my own identity as an Asian American living in the United States had given me understanding of what it means to be a minority.

Here in Mexico, my encounter with those who are devoted to working with the oppressed has given me a renewed understanding of what it means to stand and work with them.

I love the way CETLALIC teaches the Spanish language and exposes us to different communities.  They are clear about who they are.  Jorge Torres, Director of CETLALIC, said today, “We are part of an alternative world.”  They are excellent about teaching alternative perspectives for seeing the reality of women, indigenous people, the poor, the LGBTQ community, and those living with HIV and AIDS.

I truly loved their program, teaching method, theology and praxis.  My thanks go to my fellow pilgrims who participated in the immersion, Bishop Karen Oliveto, who led this trip and to the excellent staff and teachers of CETLALIC!

I am a different person because I was here immersing myself in the life of Mexican people in Cuernavaca.  Transformation happened.

Final class picture!

Rev. Pat Johnson

Tonight is end of our time here in Cuernavaca at Cetlalic. I can't say enough about the excellent teaching methods. So kind and not just learning by rote, but conversational so that you learned by relating the language to every day life. The discussions and presentations on the struggles for human rights for marginalized segments of the population were inspirational and instructive. Our presenters and the community programs we visited gave us theological connections to the realities they face. Today our last trip was to the Museum  of Indigenous Art. We even got to see some artists working on art for an exhibition. I appreciate art and being able to see the ways each region is represented in the intricate and beautiful talents of its people.

I have experienced what it is like to be in a country where I don't understand the language, the money, the customs, or directions. People who have so little have been so hospitable and generous with their time, food and care for us. I have received true unconditional welcome- what a grace filled gift that has been. I know I will need time at home to process all that I have seen and experienced.

My heart is full. I encourage you to start planning to attend the next trip! I'd love to talk to you about the experience and if you don't ask I'll probably tell you anyway because it has been life changing.

Final celebration and good-byes

Bishop Karen Oliveto

Today was the last day of class, and we got into a discussion on the connection between the brain and learning languages (the discussion was all in Spanish!!!). Our instructor talked about how we learn language by hearing it, as in how we listen when in the womb. It is harder to learn a language when we are adults, except if one is committed to one's education and life-long learning. This keeps one's mind open and malleable. 

This resonates with me as a Christian, and particularly as a United Methodist, we who are "moving onto perfection." Our growth as a Christian/United Methodist/pastor/laity requires us to be committed to life-long learning, opening ourselves up to the unexpected ways the Spirit moves in our lives and the lives of others. 

In this way, we all continue to learn a new language--God's language. The language of Love.

Jorge and Marta, Cetlalic directors

Robin Ridenour

What an incredible experience the past 10 days!  My Spanish is vastly improved, we've been telling stories in different tenses and from different perspectives!

More than the Spanish, I have learned about inspirational people doing cutting edge work of equality and justice.  From The Bishop Don Sergio Human Rights Center to Caminando Unidos school for child education and empowerment to LGBTQ advocacy through an annual International Arts Festival to the history of women in Mexico and ecumenical and catholic laity coming together for community, city, state and county issues.  All of these groups are committed to not only one issue but understand the interconnectedness of all of the issues: violence against women, women's rights, indigenous people's rights, LGBTQ rights, land and water protection, global warming, helping to correct the systems that keep people on the margins,  and corruption.   All of these groups work for all of these rights and injustices.  We have much to learn about how no issue is independent of another.  I'm reminded of Fanny Lou Hamer's words, "nobody is free until everybody is free".

Brad, Denise, and Bishop Karen with our maestro

Rebecca Wilson

Rebecca and Jim

Almost a week ago we visited La Iglesia Catolica Antigua del Rio de la Plata. This church works with the LGBTQ Community in Cuernavaca. It took me several days to process our encounter and below is a poem inspired by that brief, yet life changing night.

I came on this trip unsure of what to except, but believing that the Spirit guided me here. I was searching for hope. And I found it! Thank you Bishop Karen and the Mountain Sky Area for your kindness and hospitality.

In Circles

    in a circle

we created

a circle

chairs with plush cushions perfectly arranged

in a sterile office space

an altar in the center

to help center this merciless moment

on this most unholy occasion

in a circle

we sat

in a circle

the sadness palpable

grief indescribable

I cannot describe the shame that burned my throat each time that I swallowed

in a circle

we sang

in a circle

I don't remember the chorus

only the way our position divided us

us and them

supporters and those who would claim to be

and then me

soon to be neither

in a circle

we stood silent

in a circle

a collision of full cabinets and empty closets

the Bishop was silent

as I handed over my title, my papers, my credentials

in a circle

I surrendered

in a circle

I said what I could

far too much and oh so little

I only hope that it mattered

does it matter to anyone

that I made the best of the worst decision possible

to surrender my hopes, my dreams, my self

all that the Spirit ordered

because someone somewhere decided

my sexuality's a sin

that a woman loving a woman cancels her gifts

in a circle

I stifled my tears

in a circle

because I feared if I cried

I'd drown in the waters

and the pharisees would cite some ancient law

as reason not to save me

in a circle

I left my heart, my call, seemingly my all

in a circle

in circle

we prayed

in a circle

it tasted bitter

and it felt hollow as a clanging symbol

    in a circle

we created

a circle

that was more octagonal than round

and we sat on whatever could be found

chairs or the stairs

or a table

rainbow colored curtains

served as the altar

centering us all in this most merciful moment

in a circle

we sat

in a circle

the Bishop shared how he overcame his fears

to become pastor to those on the streets dying of AIDS

how he built beds for the homeless

gave hope to the hopeless

how he still dreams of one he couldn't save

remembering the blood dripping from her veins

who despite finding welcome and love

couldn't out run the shame

and her name sounded like mine

in a circle

we sang

in a circle

a divine harmonized chorus

spanish, english

no language could divide us

powerfully the Spirit united us

as we sang all together in zulu

when Christ is present there is no estados unidos or mexico

methodist or catholic

in a circle

we stood silent

in a circle

as one by one they spoke

telling their own story in their own voice

how the church welcomed them when their family rejected them

how they found home and hope and purpose

leading worship and workshops for others

how depression was lifted when their worth was uplifted

how grief lessened when comforted

how shame was erased when their full self acknowledged

how everything changed when their calling celebrated

and their gifts were accepted

in a circle

I surrendered

in a circle

from my seat on the marble step

I lay it all down

the lies I was told and wrongly believed

the time spent deceived  

I am not a sin

or a result of another's

the only abomination

the years and the love I lost to self hatred

in a circle

I started to cry

in a circle

yes, I was afraid

yet I wasn't the only one

and I knew if I fell

someone would catch me

in a circle

I reheard my calling

in a circle

I never quite knew what to do with titles or papers or credentials

robes and stoles and cinctures

I simply wanted to offer compassion to those on the margin

because I knew that place so well

and tell stories of resurrection

they don't just happen in heaven

and to help bring forth justice

in a world that's not so

and to serve all God's children

as Jesus said, Go

in circle

we prayed

in a circle

and it tasted like aqua de sandia

and fresh tortillas

and even with the noise of engines revving in the street

it sounded like shalom

in a circle

I heard God's voice again

in a circle

calling

your calling

you did not, you could not, surrender your calling

I'm calling

still

be still

rest in my hand

as you prepare for where I'm calling

in a circle

I picked up my heart, my hopes, my dreams, my self, my all, my calling

in a circle

circles

life moves

in circles

not as meaningless motion

but as continuous action

round or octagonal

they may be interrupted

but can never be broken

circles

faith grows

in circles

circles

grace flows

in circles

in circles

forever

and ever

amen

in circles

@Rebecca Wilson

Final dinner together