Announcements:
- There will be an in-class debate on Monday
- Reminder to bring LA&P book to next class period
Latin American History and Culture (2):
We had two LA history and culture posts today. Kate’s focused on the upcoming 2018 election in Venezuela. After Nicolas Meduro was elected president in 2013, the country has been in a state of turmoil – a state that was only heightened after Meduro managed to pass an “alternative assembly” that would allow him unchecked power in May 2017. Although it was hoped that the general outrage at Meduro’s actions would feed the opposition enough that he wouldn’t stand much of a chance in the next election, the most recent election results and analysts’ projections are proving disheartening. Many are questioning the integrity of the election, but it remains to be seen who will come out on top.
Carlos’ post discussed Hurricane Irma’s effects on Cuba, and debated where the blame ought to lie. While hurricanes are unquestionably powerful forces of nature not to be reckoned with, many places that find themselves frequently in the path of hurricanes – such as the Caribbean Islands – find ways to brace themselves. But Cuba’s architecture is worryingly fragile, and with the help of gale force winds, was responsible for some of the deaths that occurred during the disaster. Though it is pointed out that the Cuban government just doesn’t have the resources for this project, some still wonder why they aren’t focusing more effort on attempting to gather those resources for the safety of Cuban citizens.
Class Discussion:
Keep in mind: What role did the priests play in the colonization of Latin America? Try to understand the mindset and what would have been at stake.
We talked about the role of priests in colonial Latin America, and how that role changed over time. Christopher Columbus, for instance, didn’t initially bring any church-affiliated men over with him. Later, however, when Hernán Cortés was establishing his rule, he called for the Franciscans to join him in the New World. By 1559, priests were considered an essential part of the campaign. The tools used by priests in their evangelization of Latin America were: church construct, secular and regular clergy, congregation, and education (catechism).
There was a common idea that the natives of Central and Latin America were a blank slate, with no concept of their own religions or cultures. This assured the Europeans that it was both okay and necessary to bring them into the fold, imprint their own ways onto them. Towards the goal of conquering, the spreading of religion was also a way to organize society and people. However, the priests’ efforts were often met with what they would label betrayal. The native peoples of Latin America would frequently mix Christianity with their own beliefs instead of replacing their beliefs with European ones. Priests were also troubled by their inability to decide which of the twelve tribes of Israel the native were. This fed into an overarching theme tied to race that one could tell another’s worth by their physical appearance. In their descriptions of the New World people, Europeans claimed they had “fine bodies” and that it meant that they would make good servants of the Lord.
Important Terms & Readings for Today:
The Virgin of Guadalupe- a Roman Catholic title for the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated image enshrined within the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City
- Human Traditions: #1 Gaspar Antonio Chi
- Human Traditions: #9 Diego de Ocaña
- ARP: Orders Given to the Twelve (1523)