As people across the United States are gathering around, firing up their BBQ’s and fireworks for their Fourth of July parties today, I sit in awe amongst a most powerful example of patriotism, thousands of miles away.
No doubt you’ve heard of the current political upheaval in Honduras; President Manuel Zelaya “Mel” was arrested at dawn last Sunday and exiled to Costa Rica on charges of treason and abuse of power after he tried to go against the other government branches and hold an illegal election for re-writing the constitution, and began firing people in his way. While much of the international world argues it was a military coup, the Honduran Congress, newly appointed president, and military branches are struggling to convince the world they followed their legal process and avoided Mel from eliminating their constitution and democracy altogether. Regardless of what side you believe, one must stand in awe of the strength and determination the Honduran people have shown to protect their democracy and peace, which they value so dearly.
Hondurans now frequently express their regret and embarrassment that this sudden political turmoil is the only reason their beautiful country is making world headlines. But Honduras, you do not have to apologize to me, you have too much to be proud of. There have been small spouts of more aggressive protests, some broken windows, graffiti, and one fire started, but this is so much against the peaceful Honduran culture that many say these isolated events have been conducted by Nicaraguans and Venezuelans actually paid to go into Honduras and raise havoc! Powers such as Hugo Chávez and Manuel Zelaya have been very public in their calls for the people to protest and fight. Yet no matter how much the outside pressures are, the Honduran people won’t be fooled and they won’t be bought. Yesterday thousands of people gathered in front of the presidential house, all wearing white and proudly waving their Honduran flags, in support of the Honduran government and especially their beloved peace and democracy.
The amazing thing is, though it may have taken a traumatic political event for CNN to take notice, deep-rooted and unconditional patriotism explicitly transcended Honduran culture long before last Sunday. Despite carping about the local corruption, poverty and petty crime, it was never uncommon to hear my Honduran friends whole-heartedly state, “I love Honduras, and never want to leave this beautiful country,” …a statement you may have heard in the US only amongst our military, immediately after 9-11, or in the occasional country song, but not in everyday conversation. I of course also see people out wearing the national fútbol team jersey every day here. And watch out when there’s actually a game on! National pride strongly infuses Honduran music as well. Polache, whom I’ve seen perform twice now and hope to see many more times, is one of Honduras’ most popular singers, and almost all of his songs are about and for this country he passionately loves. Check out this video tribute with images of the recent peace rallies and Polache’s most telling song, “Mira Honduras.”
