PDF Compañeras: Zapatista Women's Stories by Hilary Klein in History

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The struggles of the Zapatista women are of course intense and painful and hardBy Deborah AxtI will confess that I had become a little weary of the books I "should" read in order to understand social movements and political struggle. I have been craving a bit of junk literature to just let my brain rest and be entertained. But this book defied my expectations - rather than another book that I read for 50 pages and then let linger on my bedside table while I watch tv; this one drew me in. The struggles of the Zapatista women are of course intense and painful and hard; but what comes through in this book - in really lovely and engaging prose - is the joy and power and liberation. The feel of this book is not heavy or pedantic or "important" to read. This is a book to pick up when you feel that life or work is hard; and you want a taste of beauty and inspiration and love. You move quickly through the pages and the gorgeous words of powerful women. And you will feel much better falling asleep after a few chapters of Companeras than after an hour or two of indulgent t.v.!!!!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Poignant; Powerful StoriesBy DAVID FANN JR.This extraordinary book is a study in all that it means to become a revolutionary; not only for women but for the communities in which they live. It describes in visceral detail; in the voices of the women themselves; the brutal; startling; and sometimes beautiful process of internal and communal political and interpersonal transformation.Hilary Klein's skillful narrative is crafted as a framework to provide context for the first hand stories she collected during the years she lived and worked in Chiapas; traveling to many indigenous communities to collect testimony and spend time as an observer. From the decade before the Zapatista uprising in 1994; to the twenty years of community building that followed and continues today; 'Companeras' chronicles a powerful movement. But more importantly it illustrates how the EZLN and the women who joined it were lifted up each by the other; empowering them both to succeed.With this book; Hilary makes of herself a bridge so that the voices of the companeras can walk out of their communities and into the international arena; illuminating the dark places where hopelessness and despair harbor the belief that revolution is impossible.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This book is by far the best that I have ever read about the Zapatista struggleBy daveThis book is by far the best that I have ever read about the Zapatista struggle. It's beautifully written around the stories of Zapatista women in a way that illustrates both how and why we build a better world. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Zapatistas; regardless of how familiar you may already be with their efforts. I would also suggest it to anyone interested in women's liberation; Indigenous rights; campesino movements; or social movements generally.As an educator; I also see this book being incredibly empowering for some of my young Latina friends - many of whom come from migrant and/or farmworking families. I think this book would be a great addition to a college reading list and would also be suitable to some high school students. Because of the content and complexity; it would likely be tough for a younger audience. However; I think it is important that younger kids learn about the Zapatistas and the women's stories. I would suggest selected reading and guided reading/discussions for the younger audiences. I don't believe in censoring content for younger audiences; but there is discussion of rape and murder and; at the very least; I'd want to be sure kids had someone that knew what they were reading to check in with.In my community; I have noticed that kids know very little about Mexican history or the history of chicana/o social movements in US America. As a consequence of their history and culture being ignored in schools; I have noticed a lot of kids in the community debating what it means to be Mexican and whether or not they are Mexican. I really think this book could do a lot towards healing from some of that violence and engaging in the work of social justice both locally and internationally.