I feel like I was watching a video of ghost, people who used to live a simple, ecological and happy life that was erased by the power of profit. I wish them the best in resisting. If they loose it will only be temporary. One day, when the rich poor divide becomes to wide history will repeat itself and the poor will overthrow the rich (yet again) and the world will return to this kind of simple living, to real happiness.
Scary to think of being caught up in that mess. Our own sell-out to capital desires, the rape of Lamanz to support the 4Seasons project, is hard enough to swallow.
-I love AMLO, but....has he thought this through? So much to do and undo and will it be done correctly and entirely.
-AMLO is from the Yucatan region which is indigenous and very poor. AMLO, of indigenous roots himself, knows the history of poverty, isolation and racism against the indigenous populations of this area and of Mexico in general. Thus his focus on the Yucatan and its poor.
-Lots of political opposition exists against AMLO and his party so it is hard to tease out the attacks from legitimate concerns. Are politicos and business people wanting the investment directed elsewhere or just giving AMLO a hard time and press.
-La Manzanilla was already invaded; its community, physically, culturally and economically changed before 4 seasons. I've participated in this.
-Would local LM families have voted for this impact?
-My guess is yes with lots of nostalgia for life as it was before. I have heard from locals that people helped and supported each other more; there was more cohesiveness and communal activity and sharing.
-I wonder how locals would vote now or evaluate our impact? Favorably in many ways, I'm sure, but at what price? Remember that OXXO was welcomed as needed and as progress.
-I'm sure many families here would like to see a malecon and yachts mooring in the bay with tourists coming to enjoy a resort town experience. We are still a sleepy type village only a stones throw from this scenario. Can it, will it be stopped?
-So, maybe the Yucatan peoples are wanting and going towards this same experience because of their proverty, daily struggles and no water and no ....... and no.......
-And of course, the monied will get the biggest slice of the pie, as always from time immemorial, many times without social or ecological concern.
-A planned vision, developed by and including many, with hopes of preserving cultural positives; achieving security and safety for plants and beasts, including humans; getting equitable development and distribution of all resources and income to all inhabitants should be the goal. Will this ever happen elsewhere or here? Cruz
PS: The Yucatan has lots of water, all underground with no rivers and beautiful cenotes. So pueblos need tuberia, so where to start?
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Re: A Conundrum, to be sure
Posted by Daniel H on August 20, 2020, 9:46 pm, in reply to "A Conundrum, to be sure" Edited by board administrator August 20, 2020, 9:49 pm
Good post Cruz.
Lots of topics, let me focus on this statement of yours a bit.
"So, maybe the Yucatan peoples are wanting and going towards this same experience because of their poverty, daily struggles and no water and no ....... and no......."
All through the video they are questioning the results of progress of past projects in the Yucatan Peninsula, which have resulted in poverty and few services and asking "how will we benefit, what will be different than what has already happened?" They have come to the conclusion that the promises are bullshit and they are going to actively resist the project.
So they are proceeding with their legal, moral and logical position, I think they are in the right. But from where I stand those views/positions are just going to be swept away by the current reality of money/profit is the real power, which is why I referred to them as ghost in my post.
Its not over yet, what is needed is a charismatic person who is able to communicate concepts so clearly that they can not be buried by changing the topic, fake news, Ad hominem attacks etc. Something along the line of "I have a dream"
A gigantic conundrum, absolutely, from all angles because they are not being addressed.
After listening to and reading a couple of the above links more carefully, I am listing some more observations:
-That common Yucatan inhabitants need and want their basic needs of water, education, health care, employment, etc., met. The train project holds this promise and 92% of 15 communities voted in support of the train because of this.
Only unclear, changing information and project positives were presented and no one has been told of the trains actual route. Supposedly, only a rosy picture was given.
-That the more educated and landed Yucatan resident has subsisted successfully over the years and doesn't need or want more 'services' except for water, especially when it doesn't rain. They are the ones usually in leadership.
They see that developments like Cancun do not serve their needs or lifestyle.
They see that investors and developers only come in to exploit the resources of Yucatan land and labor of the communities. Thus they create even more inequality and need that has never been addressed, even in the past.
-That AMLO sees bringing the Yucatan area into the same exploitative and destructive experience as the rest of Mexico as something positive and needed.
AMLO does worry about the poor and includes social and employment program funding.
But does he see the violence and destruction wrought by uncaring business and investment practices that go for big and push out the small that can't compete. That destroy the fabric of community. That they mainly serve the needs and wants of the monied.
So will the train project meet the needs of the have and have nots? Will AMLO ever appreciate that small is beautiful and safer for all in the long run?
Yes, open up the Yucatan for the people and not for corrupt destructive development and investment that does not provide equitably and safely for the betterment of families, community and environment. Easy peasie to say, lol.
Daniel, I don't know what it will take but I'm forever hopeful that movement in the right direction will happen. Even AMLO has been a light for some issues. And change in Mexico is slow, slow, slow.
I hope and pray for leadership and that we don't lose the positives. My rambling, Cruz