We were influenced Galeano’s description of the violence caused by the conquistadors as they explored and conquered Latin America.
Dulce’s audio-visual response:
This video focuses on Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador. It explains Pizarro’s expeditions and how he came to conquer Peru. What stood out to me most about this video was the way in which he conquered this land. He used violence and force against the Incan people. Pizarro’s greed led him to take advantage of the Incan’s vulnerability when they were suffering from illnesses and trick/deceive Atahualpa (the Incan Emperor) even after he was submissive to his wishes. It seems that Pizarro’s ambitiousness and eagerness to become rich was so powerful that he’d stop at nothing to achieve it.
Kayla’s drawing response:
This drawing is a series of images influenced by the fact that a majority of the article was about people traveling and “exploring” these parts of the world a lot of times looking for gold. The Taíno symbol represents the Indians killed during these explorations.
Lucy’s writing response:
What struck me most from this excerpt of Open Veins of Latin America was the juxtaposition of the splendor that the Spanish found in this “New World” and the atrocities that the native people have to endure as a result of it. For the Spanish, the land and riches of the New World was a paradise that almost seemed to be a gift from God, while the native people of these lands were forced to undergo complete suffering as they were subjugated in order to procure riches for the conquistadors. I was particularly affected by the Antillean holocaust and the fact that these people were so deprived of hope that they resorted to killing their children so that their people would no longer suffer. And yet, when we learn of these “discoveries” we are only told of the glory that Spain found. I wrote this poem to highlight that juxtaposition from the text.
behold! the sun casts its golden glow upon sloping hills as trees reach for the skies and spreads its luscious greenery onto the rich black soil upon which we seek our riches behold the sunlight that reflects off these men who stand over us as sparkling waters kiss as shore that glitters with His bounty and cuts through the banks like lightening running through the earth bringing life breathing air unto my Home this water that runs bears no more color red or clear, is there a difference? the air is empty in our home gifts bestowed upon the deserving our inheritance from Him no paintings can do it justice no words nor melodies can capture the paradise He himself has given us do the stars and moon betray us? the god have abandoned us, what omens have we ignored to lead us here blessed be His children that the mountain opens up its veins to bestow upon us gifts! Open yourself before me! Our children will bear this weight of bounty and riches, the deep gold and dazzling silver surrender to our might! i open your veins before me my child, i am so sorry but this weight you will bear no more
