Justice in Guatemala

Claire DeWitte of UUSC's Advocacy and Communications Department was part of a UUSC delegation to Guatemala.

Guatemala. A country rich with culture, vibrant colors, music, and a recent history of genocidal violence against the indigenous people.

I had the honor to join twelve other men and women from Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, Colo., on a journey to learn upfront of the many, many massacres of the indigenous communities in the 1980s. While I left UUSC´s office educated on the events and people we would meet, it was impossible to be prepared for the startling reality of the past and its repercussions today.

We traveled through rolling Guatemalan mountains to listen to Mayan men and women tell their stories. Innocent wives, husbands, children, aunts, uncles were massacred. Homes were destroyed and land was lost.

Each story was told with a personal voice, but a common thread wove them together. Justice will be met. The community will be rebuilt with dignity and respect. The survivors are not daunted by time or threats. With courage unparalleled, the peaceful fight for resolution will continue until won. There is no question. This is a true testimony to the strength of the human spirit to rise again.

Countless times I asked myself – what next? How do I harness my many thoughts and emotions? How can I act in a way that best serves the indigenous people, and not just my personal desire to help? Honestly, I do not know. But, I am sure of three things: 1) I will remain educated; 2) I will not forget; and 3) I will use my right to a voice and a vote to hold my government accountable for its actions. The greatest tragedy would be to let my experience remain a collection of stories, photos, and distant memories.