Week 11: The Terror

This week’s readings focused on a few major conflicts including 1) the proxy war occurring in Guatemala between US and USSR with China and 2) Peru’s dirty war as a part of their civil war. The contrast between these two conflicts coincide with their attempts to differently create “prosperous peasantry” (Max Cameron). It is interesting to see how although many people believe that the world has changed, in many ways similar events are still occurring. Back in the day, it was the young and the middle class who often rebelled against the government. In today’s world, once again, especially noticeable with the US elections, it is the young who oppose the idea of Trump in presidency and try to do something to stop it. I find it interesting how in many ways the world hasn’t changed. Additionally it is also a surprise to see how many horrific things have occurred in Latin America (e.g. the Terror). It is sometimes hard to swallow that the world in which we live in is not the same for everyone. I was raised in a good and stable home, go to a good university, and I’m lucky enough to have lived in countries that are economically and governmentally stable. However, sometimes I must remember that 1) there have been so many people that have suffered for the world to be where it is. They have sacrificed so much and so many wars had to happen in order to get where we are. 2) In today’s world, so many people are still undergoing similar situations and similar circumstances as those in the times of The Terror. When we don’t see that environment, it is easy to forget, but the truth is so many individuals are living through those circumstances (poverty, government corruption, financial instability, etc.). Unfortunately in order to get a world where people work as one, they must also fight for what they believe to be right.