JStone
Rookie
- Jun 29, 2011
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June 12, 2007
No love for the oppressed, puta? Surely, even uneducated spanish hotel maids like yourself have a heart, no?
Basques, The Oppressed People We Forgot About
The region known as Basque country encompasses a relatively small plot of land on the Spanish French border. The Basques are a people that, from the beginning of recorded history have been independent of Spanish or French rule. That is obviously no longer the case and has not been for a few centuries as the Spanish Republic has eroded their once sacred and all encompassing Fueros, or traditional laws. In the past, the fiercely independent Basques were kept under control bordering governments with the promise of self rule. After the Spanish Civil War that was more or less demolished.
Now the Basque language is eroding and it's culture is dying. In retaliation some Basques have resorted to violence primarily from a group of Basque ultranationalists called Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or ETA. This movement has been counter productive to the Basque cause and is recognized by the EU, US, and Britain as a terrorist organization. Many Basque leaders have been banned from running for public office due to accusations that they are associated with the extremist group.
The Basque struggle is very much a liberal one and a valid one. It is sad that a small number of Basques have resorted to violence. But their story is related to all oppressed people around the world. Under the guise of "anti-terror" Spain has stripped many Basque leaders of position and authority and even imprisoned people for voicing views. Spain has even silenced a major Basque newspaper Egunkaria. Even more alarming is evidence that Egunkaria staffers were tortured.
Spain seems to be enacting systematic conquering of the Basque people, not trying to make peace with them.
Basques, the oppressed people we forgot about. // Current TV