It is not possible to conceive a democratic Guatemala, free and independent, without the indigenous identity shaping its character into all aspects of national existence.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of indigenous identity in creating a truly democratic Guatemala.
Rigoberta MenchΓΊ's quote highlights the crucial role that indigenous identity plays in the formation of a democratic society in Guatemala. It suggests that for a nation to be genuinely free and independent, its cultural roots and diversity must be integral to its national identity and governance, influencing all areas of social and political life.
In practice
Discussing the importance of cultural identity in a speech on national unity.
I think that nonviolence is one way of saying that there are other ways to solve problems, not only through weapons and war. Nonviolence also means the recognition that the person on one side of the trench and the person on the other side of the trench are both human beings, with the same faculties. At some point they have to begin to understand one another.
I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for evading the responsibility of finding the most suitable path toward the elimination of any expression of discrimination against indigenous peoples.
Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.
The separation of state and church must be complemented by the separation of state and science, that most recent, most aggressive, and most dogmatic religious institution.
Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficent.
This is the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. Away; go. They say there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death.
We have long become overgrown with calluses; we no longer hear people being killed. ("X")
Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that have been offer'd to private subjects.
Whatever life takes away from you, let it go.
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