“Rape was widely used as a weapon” (The Guardian). This statement is too true all over the world. I don’t think rape could be described as anything other than a weapon. Often times rape is a result of racism as we see in the case of the Guatemalan women who were forced into sex slavery, “almost 90% of the victims were indigenous women” (The Guardian), or the case in Peru. After reading this article I am left feeling empty. I cannot imagine going through any one of the horrible things those women went through and still be strong enough continue on. I think the article about enforced sterilizations in Peru goes to show that you can’t take anyone’s word for it—so to speak. Fujimori disguised his racism through what he knew was something the world would accept and encourage—family planning. But at the root of his twisted mind was a deep hatred towards indigenous men and women in Peru, “unos cuyes.” He thought of them as nothing more than animals that needed to be controlled. I thought this article was interesting and engaging because it was a primary source. The author had been to Peru, she talked to a woman who was performing these enforced sterilizations. It easier to get behind the cause than when I read a secondary source like the Paula Godoy-Paiz essay. While the Godoy-Paiz essay still beneficial to read it did not place me in the moment.
These are just a few thoughts that ran through my head while reading the assigned articles. I am mortified at the violence men and women alike can impose upon innocent people. It makes me wonder where it stems from—although if I had to wager a guess, I’d say racism. Racism has deep dark roots that sometimes we don’t see unless we take a closer look.
RachelH 