It is often argued that identities like race, religion, class, and others are often the drivers of conflict in societies. At the center of most conflict is the struggle for power, with lines being drawn between those who have power and will fight to keep it, and those who are kept from power and would give anything to have their fair share. This fight – one against exploitation of those without power – is the type of conflict that is described in the book I, Rigoberta Menchú, which is titled for its author (Section XVI, 2368). In this book, Menchú, known for her work as a human rights activist for indigenous peoples, especially in Central America, recounts the hardships she faced growing up as a poor and marginalized girl and puts the reader …show more content…
This violence was experienced by Menchú first hand, whose Father was burned alive while nonviolently fighting for better representation, whose little brother was also burned alive, and whose mother was raped and tortured to death – these events were broken down in detail, obviously leaving a major impact on Menchú and influencing her to fight for her people (Section XXVII, 3752). Before this, though, Menchú’s father, Vicente, was arrested and threatened with eighteen years in jail. His outlook was made even worse by the fact that landowners in El Quiche paid the judge large amounts of money, which Menchú says wasn't uncommon in Guatemala, as Governors, Mayors, and other officials also demanded mordidas, or bribes, to be entertained, supported, or otherwise be given favor (Section XV, 2084). This only lends further support to the fact that the Guatemalan system of government was corrupted and abusive of Indians who often lacked the resources or were unwilling to pay these modidas. Because of these reasons, which Menchú supports with biblical evidence which is held in the utmost regard by her community (Section XVIII,