Megan Newcomb

Blog 4

As we discussed at the end of our last class meeting, the blog assignment this week is to choose one passage from I, Rigoberta Menchú and write a detailed reflection of that passage. How does it contribute to the work as a whole? What concerns does it evoke? How does it underscore one or more of the main meanings of the memoir? Why does this passage speak to you? (350 + words, not including the passage itself)

 

“A revolutionary isn’t born out of something good,” said my sister. “He is born out of wretchedness and bitterness. This just gives us one more reason. We have to fight without measuring our suffering, or what we experience, or thinking about the monstrous things we must bear in life.” -I, Rigoberta Menchú

 

I chose this passage/quote because I felt it best represented the story of Rigoberta. This contributes as a great summary to the experiences of Rigoberta and how she did not let these experiences weigh her down but fuel her passion for change. It is these words that we can see the connection between Rigoberta and her family as well as how this quote can show what could be considered the harsh reality of Rigoberta’s life. It seemed like this would be her fate but because what her sister said she chose to defy this fate and do better than those before her. She would not forget those who came before her but she didn’t want her these experiences to change her for the worse. She would learn from her experiences but she would not use them to fuel her fight or her actions. This is concerning though, and for many reasons.

One the main concerns is the accuracy of this statement, not just in the case of Rigoberta but in the case of most revolutionaries. Revolutionaries rise because they suffered great injustice in their life and from there suffering decided to stand up and fight against said injustice. It then provides a vicious cycle for society. The wronged get justice but in the process cause someone else injustice. The revolutionaries suffered, and it is important that Rigoberta as a revolutionary does not let her suffering drive her. It feels too much like a sign that suffering breeds change but only when someone suffers greatly do we create the change we need.

This passage/quote emphasizes the points of the story well. This is a woman who had gone through a lot in her life and despite those trials and tribulations she chose to fight for the rights of her people and while these trials pushed her to become a passionate advocate for human rights she did not let them change her into something that fed the cycle that most revolutionaries fall into. This speaks to the idea that a person shouldn’t fight because of the suffering they did but because it is the right thing to do. It is important to fight for people who suffer as well.

This spoke to me because it felt like a great representation of Rigoberta and her story. It also felt like it represented most people in her situation.