It is unfortunate that bigots and racists become politicians, capitalizing on (discriminatory) anti immigration* sentiments to gain power, yet it has been a campaign tool for ages. These politicians who are elected usually bring nothing but embarrasment to themselves, their respective parties, and the rational townspeople who did everything they could to try to avoid the election results. Here in Vic, Josep Anglada is one of these politicians. As president of the Platform for Catalunya (PxC: filled with fascists as one of the Catalan minor parties which capitalizes on nationalist sentiment of the race -- not independence -- variety) and one of the city council members (5 of which are members PxC, 7 CiU, 2 CUP, 2 PSC, 2 ERC, 1 ICV-EUiA, and 1 SI), Anglada has done fairly well for himself in terms of politics. As I mentioned before, however, he's a xenephobic embarassment: a fact which is applicable to the moral core of the PxC.
Why I'm writing about this man: Sunday, April 22nd, this councilman was crossing the Plaza Major to head home with his wife and one other man when, upon seeing two young Marroquin men (18 & 21), insultingly initiated what ended up with him breaking the nose of one of the boys and leaving marks on the other. Every witness (minus those who were accompanying him to begin with) verify that it was him, JOSEP ANGLADA, who threw the first punch. This incident was sparked outright by nothing less than racism, and unfortunately is not enough to have him kicked out of his place of office. I feel that now is the appropriate place to also add that earlier this year his son filed (but withdrew the court case filing a month later) verified domestic abuse claims.
Last Saturday there was a manifestation convoked here in Vic for the coexistance of races within communities, here and throughout the world. Over 1,000 people marched, beginning in the Plaza Major and continuing throughout the town before looping back where we began. Although some politically afililiated organizations gave their support, this is a situation where profitting credit from this action is not feasible. Yay for tolerance and unification! Although a walk will seldom initiate and/or change anything, at the very least some attention and reminders can be made.
A brief demographic explanation: Vic is a MAJOR immigrant hub relatively recently in terms of history (Andalusians were bussed in during the 50s and 60s, and more recently these past 20 years immigrants have been flooding in from Africa and South/Central America). Walking around the streets, it is possible to encounter people of all colors (something I´m actually going to slightly miss when I head back home).
Although Sunday, April 22nd was marked by this unfortunate incident, Monday, April 23rd went off without a hitch as the Catalans celebrated El Dia de Sant Jordi! St.Jordi's Day is an incredibly romantic holiday in which traditionally the ladies gift their man a book and the gentlemen pass over a rose to their lady. However, 21st century norm changes have now (fortunately) made it acceptable to exchange these gifts to either. The legend of this holiday has its origins in the legend in which the bold knight St.Jordi slayed a dragon in order to rescue a princess. Roses began to grow from the blood of the slain beast, and he so nicely picked one to give to her. As for the book; the tradition of giving this gift came in later when it was recognized that April 23rd is International Book Day. Vendors can be found all along the main walks selling roses for 1€ - 2€, and as soon as the plaza is reached it´s just about impossible to move along as crowds of people pack the edges looking through the books that are set up in the stalls all the way around. I highly prefer this holiday to St.Valentine´s day (minus the chocolate discounts), and it is one that I´ll make it a point to cross over.
*I agree with some well made arguements concerning the anti illegal immigration and immigration limitations debate. However, I DO NOT and WILL NEVER support flat out discrimination/racism.
Sidenotes: School for me let out about two weeks ago and I have really been enjoying summer so far! I took a short trip to visit some exchange student friends over in Galicia, and am really looking foward to the south of Spain exchange student trip coming up in a couple of weeks. My official catalan exam is coming up next week, but other than that I've just been enjoying the summer as most people my age do (reading, chatting with friends from time to time, napping in the sun, etc). I will be giving a rotary presentation soon here to sum up my exchange (I've been here 9 months!) and time really seems to be closing in as I have just little over a month left before I head back to my Iowa home. To the few people who actually read this blog (and all the way through): I'm fairly certain that my next entry will be just about that (my class and exchange overall) but it's all up in the air. I'll keep you posted :P
Un petò i Cuida't!
Bonnie
 |
| One rose for the Independence please! |
 |
| So many to choose from! |
 |
| Don´t be fooled: not everyone against fascism is also against violence. |
 |
| They say the Americans hang a lot of flags... |
 |
| Perfect end to my day! Before I went to bed I saw the rose that Jordi had put on my desk :) |
