Ruxin Ye

About Ruxin Ye

http://www.colby.edu/directory_cs/rye21/

Posts by Ruxin Ye:

Poblacíon La Victoria, Curarrehue

/ / / 0 comments

Activism can be passionate, loud and visible, or it can be passive, simple and resilient. At Poclacíon La Victoria and Curarrehue, we saw two examples of resistance against gentrification, forceful displacement and environmental interference. The residents of these two areas stood their ground against the dictatorship and the neoliberal state to preserve their culture, their land and their identities.

Poblacíon La Victoria is a neighborhood at the outskirts of Santiago, where the Communist headquarters of Chile is located. La Victoria was a focal point of resistance during the Pinochet dictatorship. Journalists and communists who resided in the poblacíon where murdered and the administration set up police departments within the neighborhood. Yet, the neighborhood stood by their beliefs against the hegemony of the government and neoliberalism. To this day, they remain a monetarily poor community that employs a communist structure. Everyone in the community helps each other out and share meals at the communist center. The government currently mostly stay out of the Poblacíon and let them self-govern, except for collecting taxes.

For our last full week in Chile, we traveled 10 hours south to Curarrehue, a Mapuche (indigenous population of Chile) community on the border of Argentina. We stayed with Mapuche families and listened to their stories of resistance. As indigenous people who have lived on the land for thousands of years, their way of life is an active form of protest to the Capitalist, neoliberal economic system that destroyed their sacred land and threatens the livelihood of their community. The Werken (messenger) of the lof(community) led us to Trankura, one of their sacred rivers, and told us the story of how they fought hydroelectric companies from building hydro dams on this river to make profit. The projects would not only disrespect the Mapuche spiritual life, but also ruin their environment. Besides lobbying, debating in court, actively protesting, I believe that continued tranquil and self-sufficient lifestyle is a deliberate rejection to the Capitalistic ideologies. Families here live in harmony and help each other, and produce their own food and protect their own lands. The lifestyle really inspires me to rethink my daily life practices, and whether or not they align with my beliefs. 

world_destination_map_web-_1_

once de septiembre

/ / / 0 comments

Being in Santiago in September is an irreplaceable experience. 46 years ago on September 11th, the first democratically elected socialist government led by President Allende was overthrown by Pinochet led military coup d’état, which bombed the Presidential palace (La Moneda) and detained — people. One of the largest sights of imprisonment and torture was Estadio Nacional (the national stadium). After dinner, our host parents drove us to the stadium, where a lot of people were already gathering. The fences of the stadium were covered in posters and photos, demanding justice for those who were tortured or disappeared. The flyers had photos of the missing and asked the question “Dónde Éstan?” (Where are they?), demanding the administration to give victim families an answer and reveal more information about the dictatorship. The military leaders have kept a pact of silence after the dictatorship ended. 

We lit a candle for our host parent’s friend’s brother, who still is missing. Afterwards, we went inside the stadium where a group was performing in all red. The sound of drums and fireworks lit up the stadium and everyone is cheering. I was deeply touched by the unity and positivity at this annual protest to commemorate the loss and the trauma. At the base of the stadium there was a small museum that recounted the story of the military coup and the dictatorship. Vigils like this where what seems like the entirety of Santiago came together and showed their strength as well as continued trauma through powerful chants, music, and performance, really redefined what “trauma” looks like in my perception. Especially in comparison with the same date in the United States, where the vigils are usually silent and pensive, once de septiembre at Estadio Nacional showed me that people can process pain and protest injustice in a multitude of ways. 

Our host mom also left signs with missing persons’ faces, information and the question “Dondé Estan?” downstairs of our apartment building. When we returned from Estadio Nacional to collect them, people have left paper cranes on some of the signs, sending their love and support. The continued protest all across the city goes to show that Santiago hasn’t forgotten, and Santiago will not forget.

National Protest Day in Santiago

/ / / 0 comments

Hi! It’s Leaf here coming at you from Santiago, Chile. I am here for the month with IHP program studying and researching human rights.

We arrived in Santiago on September 1st, Monday, and only two days of recovery and adjustment later, it was National Protest Day. During class, we heard student protesters running across the street (our classroom space is in Providencia, an university district). During lunch, we saw on the news that the police was spraying water at protesters, who have gathered near the universities. All of us were very intrigued by the situation, but as newcomers to the country hesitated to participate. However that night, when my roommate and I arrived at our host families, (mind you, this is only the second night at our host families), our host mother is wrapped up in layers ready to go out. She asked us if we wanted to go protest with her. Having been interested in the situation all day but never had a chance or idea how to approach it, I jumped at the offer. Soon, with another layer of puffy jacket and scarves, grabbing some pots and pans, we’re out the door.

On our walk over, we learned that this is a neighborhood protest right near our complex. A similar protest happened in our neighborhood (La Nuñoa) during the day that was broken up by the police. This, to continue the effort, as well as to protest against police intervention, the residents decided to gather in small clusters all over the area, so that the police can’t do anything about their peaceful protest. 

Along the way, our host mom met several friends, hugged them tight and gave them passionate kisses on cheeks. I thought these must be her closest friend in the neighborhood, until we arrived at the gathering, and she proceeded to greet everyone with the same level of affection. That’s the first thing that struck me – the love and unity. Ignoring the banners, chants and the pots and pans, one could easily mistake this as a neighborhood reunion, with the tight hugs, silly selfies and even FaceTiming neighbors who cannot make it. The clear excitement and love in the air contradicts with the anger incited by what they are protesting against. With my best efforts to decipher the banners and flags, I gathered that there were many policies being  protested that night: including the privatization of pension and health care, and lowering minimum work hours.

From toddlers in strollers to elders, everyone had a smile on their face and pots in hand (a signature of Chilean protests) banging and chanting at the top of their lungs at the passing vehicles on the street. We returned home for dinner a hour later, as the protest quieted down. Yet after dinner, our host mom put her jacket back on and jumped back into the protest again.