In my last blog I discussed the ways in which Indigenous people of the Andes and Inca empire were able to successfully transform themselves into colonial elites and profited from colonization and a new empire. In this blog I want to focus on how resistance to empires have evolved from what they used to be, looking back at those indigenous people of Peru. Progressing to modern day resistance, which can be seen through the Standing Rock resistance happening in North Dakota or even political resistance shown towards Donald Trump by U.S. citizens out protesting, and how resistance has now become a norm and easily distributed worldwide through media.
In Peru during the 1780s a rebellion lead by Tupac Amaru against the Spanish was out in full force, this rebellion is important to note due to the fact that though this rebellion was against the Spanish empire, Tupac Amaru didn’t want to leave the empire but fix the colonial corruption that was occurring at the time and fighting for more and better Native representation when making decisions that would ultimately affect their lives. The U.S. also faced issues of minority groups wanting better representation and going out and protesting.
The Women’s March on Washington would be an example of minority groups going out in the world and resisting to the government. The Women’s March occurred as backlash to the inauguration of new president Trump and in order to send a message to the new administration the women’s right are as vital as human rights. President Trump on his campaign trail spoke of defunding Planned Parenthood which to most women was seen as an act against women and their right to care for their bodies as they want/need.
Protesters block K street to try to disrupt the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC..Photo by Olivier Douliery/Abaca(Sipa via AP Images)
The Women’s March on Washington resembles that of the Tupac Amaru Rebellion because in both instances minority groups are standing up to their governments and demanding that their groups be recognized and treated equally and fairly. The need for resistance since those of the 1750s have only grown bigger and have become well known and world renowned. Unlike the days of Tupac Amaru and those innovative Incan systems that made them such a powerful empire, the modern day person now has access to so much technology that something like the Women’s March in Washington can be seen in Peru!
Resistance has not disappeared but have become something so usual and regular in places across the world including the U.S.. Looking at resistances from the past and the present helps us understand that fighting for what is right is never going to end especially in these cases of minority people being discriminated and mistreated. Resistance has grown and will continue to grow while we have these problems within governments and peoples feel that they are not being represented and treated fairly.
Women’s March on Washington: Highlights | NBC News
Where there is ruin, there is hope. 