TimeBank Boulder’s Spanish Conversation Group thought it was toonice a day to stay indoors at the library, so we wandered outside,speaking Spanish as we went, and sat in the shade of two trees near thecreek. Here is some of our far-ranging conversation, first in Spanish,then in English. We began with the ideas of liberty, equality, andfraternity in honor of the fact that it was France’s Independence Day. Bonnie expresaba que hemos perdido muchas libertades in este país,incluyendo hablando abiertamente en reuniones sociales público—sobreel efecto en la Tierra de nuestra manera de vivir en sociedadmoderna. En contraste Jake decía que hay muchos jóvenes despertadospor Parkland que están respondiendo contra la violencia y por ejercer suderecho de votar y que es uno paso por lo menos. Los estudiantes deParkland inspira optimismo por hablar y organizar las cuales sonejemplos de la libertad que tenemos.
Bonnie stated her opinion that we have lost many freedoms in this country, including speaking openly in public and social gatherings about the effect on the Earth of our modern lifestyles. Jake noted that thereare many young people waking up because of [the school shooting in]Parkland and that they are responding against violence and in favor ofexercising the right to vote and that at least is one step. He said, “TheParkland students inspire my optimism because of their speaking andorganizing, both of which are examples of the freedoms we do have.”
Bonnie añadía que al lado de votar hay cambios necesarios para sacarla influencia de dinero y la tendencia de corrupción in la política.
Bonnie added that in addition to voting, there are other changes thatneed to be made, such as removing the influence of money and thetendency toward corruption in politics. Discutimos sobre la diferencia de los tiempos de protestas en contra laGuerra de Vietnam cuando jóvenes enfrentaba el “draft” y ahora. Bonnie declarada que los poderes decorporaciones con gentepagada a influir las leyes ensu favor y para los ricos hadebilitado el poder deactivistas la mayor dequienes no son pagadas.
We discussed the difference between now and the time of the protests against the Vietnam War when young men were facing the draft. Bonnie said the power of corporations, including people being paid to influence laws in their favor, and the influence of the rich on policymaking, has weakened the power of citizen activists, the majority of whom are unpaid, to make a difference.
Sylvia comenta: Hay ciclos de la historia en cuando hay más fraternidad y sororidad, es decirépocas de más tolerancia y épocas de menos. Estamos ahora en un periodo de intolerancia, desconfianza, y si, aun del odio. Yo creo que el ambiente emocional cambiara, con tiempo–quizás una generación o. Con Bonnie veo nuestro país ahora en problemas que nos parecen sinesperanza, Con Jake, creo que hay posibilidad de volver a un tiempo de más igualdad ytolerancia. Pero, no será nuestra generación cual lo hará, pero la próxima generación y dejóvenes.
Sylvia noted that there are cycles in history with more fraternity/sorority and epochs with greater tolerance. She said, “We are currently in a period of intolerance, suspicion, and even hate. I believe that the emotional climate will change with time, perhaps [it will take] a generation. Like Bonnie, I see our country a washin problems which seem hopeless. And, like Jake,I believe in the possibility of returning to a time of greater equality and tolerance. But it won’t be our generation that will make the change. It will be done by the young.
”De repente, una mujer pasando vio a la camisade la Universidad de Nuevo México de Jake y comenzaba a preguntar sobre suconexión. Nosotros invitamos a ella hablar connosotros en español dado que ella es HispanoAmericano. Gozamos, ella contando su historiaen un español que entendimos.
When a passerby saw Jake’s University of New Mexico T-shirt, she began to ask (in Spanish)about his connection. We invited her to join our conversation and we were happy to be speaking with a native speaker who spoke at a pace we could understand. We enjoyed the stories she shared from her life.