Award-Winning Oral History of a Honduran Campesina Activist
"Here is a voice seldom heard, the voice of Latin America's majority, those who bear the burdens of society. If we are to understand Honduras, Central America, or, for that matter, Latin America, we must listen attentively to this voice. It has much to teach us. It commands the future." --E. Bradford Burns, Professor of History, UCLA
Don't be Afraid, Gringo is the award-winning oral history of Elvia Alvarado, a courageous campesina [peasant] activist in Honduras, the poorest country in Central America. Trained by the Catholic Church to organize women's groups to combat malnutrition, Alvarado began to question why campesinos were malnourished to begin with. Her growing political awareness, her travels by foot, over the back roads of Honduras, and her conversations with people from all over the country have given her insights into the internal workings of her society that far surpass those of the majority of campesinos who have never ventured from their villages.
Grassroots Activism and Land Reform in Honduras
Working as a campesino organizer, Alvarado has led dangerous land recovery actions in an effort to enforce the national land reform laws. As a result of these actions, she has been harassed, jailed, and tortured at the hands of the Honduran military. This firsthand account provides rare insight into the struggles of rural communities fighting for their rights and survival in Central America.
Expert Translation and Cultural Context
Skillfully translated and edited by Medea Benjamin, an expert on Central America, Don't Be Afraid, Gringo takes us into the heart of campesino struggle and political conflict in Honduras today. Benjamin's expertise ensures that Alvarado's powerful voice reaches English-speaking audiences with authenticity and clarity, making this essential reading for anyone interested in Latin American history, women's activism, and social justice movements.
This paperback edition from Harper Perennial presents an unfiltered perspective on rural development challenges, gender dynamics in activism, and the realities of political organizing in one of Central America's most impoverished nations.
