ORGANIZED PEOPLES IN SEARCH OF LIBERATION
Real liberation is the organized expression of a people. When people are on the move and seek for their liberation, it is because their rights are being violated by an oppressive system. The peoples seeking liberation are characterized as new social movements and their starting point is the new signs of the times, which points to a greater human liberation of our peoples.
The peoples are in constant struggle to free themselves from the structural injustice that oppresses the majority of our continent. The peoples of Latin America have assumed liberation as an existential attitude and have been the support of the popular forces in their communities. The reality of the impoverished people is getting worse and worse at the social, political, ecclesial and economic levels. For this reason, many do not remain silent in the face of injustices, inequalities and inequity that are outrageous.
In the face of this life-threatening reality there are apparently no signs of hope, however, there are sectors that are organized such as small communities, villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods, would stand to defend their rights. They are the new viable alternatives for liberation today because from their places they promote actions in search of the dignity of life. That is to say, they are the new awakening of society.
Throughout history, peoples who have memory and full awareness of their right to freedom and justice are always the alternatives for liberation. A good example, from a theological perspective, was the organization of the people of Israel to free themselves from the oppression of Egypt.
The Scriptures narrate the period of slavery experienced by the Chosen People and their liberation process (Ex 1-15), which was possible thanks to the people’s trust in Yahweh and in their leaders, Moses and Aaron, who also trusted in the company of Yahweh who led them to a land where the people were free and had the spaces and conditions suitable for the dignified development of life.
Consequently, it is important to be clear that oppression is a whole system of death that penetrates all spheres of life. For this reason, the people take concrete actions from an organization, volunteers, alternative organized groups, citizen participation and action, social movements, movements of native peoples (Indigenous), peasant movements, student movements and interreligious movements from the different Spiritualities.
The liberation sought by the peoples is part of a history in which the main objective is to recover justice, equality and dignity for human beings and the common home. Despite the realities of oppression and suffering of the peoples, they do not resign themselves, since they maintain an inner strength that moves them to continue opting for life and in the search of liberation through their trust in the God who is incarnated in the heart of the peoples, in the God who walks with them and liberates them from slavery.
Therefore, it can be affirmed that the liberation of a people arises where there is a messianic practice, in faith and hope in favor of life.
Sister MARÍA ONELIA LÓPEZ ORTÍZ
Guatemala
