Carlos Monsiváis, without a doubt the most brilliant chronicler of Mexico, when he received the honorary Doctorate, I think from the UNAM, said: they are giving me the country’s lost honorary Doctorate. I am more grateful.
On Thursday or Friday of last week, my honorary Doctorate was approved.
I dedicate this undeserved award to Julia, a cholita from Pulacayo who marked me, crossed the river and deposited me at the door of my school. He died of tuberculosis; I didn’t feel any more than if my cat had died. That’s how I was raised.
I also dedicate to Ariel, my first-born son, and his siblings Manuel, Raquel, Diego, Camila and Ramón.
The priests at my school were llunkus with my uncle Germán, Minister of Education at the time, and they couldn’t take it away from me because I got a straight seven, conduct one. He was not naughty but responsive. A teacher told me that I had a bad laugh. To this day I laugh and wonder what he wanted to tell me.
They didn’t do things to me, heh, but when the guerrillas were discovered in Ñancahuazú and an anti-guerrilla demonstration was organized in Catholic schools, a sinister character, Gary Alarcón, came to show us how to burn a bearded doll. I could do what my companions did, who squirted on every side street, but no: I decided to go to the management to file my complaint. I told the director that no one forced me to think what I didn’t want to and he replied that it was mandatory to attend. And I added: What’s more, if I found a way to join the guerrilla I would surely do it.
My mother went to rescue me and the priest told her a memorable phrase: Your son is very intelligent, but his intelligence is inclined to evil. My mother was brave and told him four cool ones. He immediately took me by the hand and didn’t let go until we got home. The next morning I didn’t have to get up early. My mother prepared me a sumptuous breakfast, which I exhausted in bed; But when I got dressed and went out in search of my friends, I didn’t find any: they were all at school.
I owe to the UMSS everything that I was from the time I was 18 until today, when I turned 73. First I won the chair of philosophy of law, then I was general secretary of Picucho, later I went into exile after receiving García Meza’s scholarship. ; then director of Cana 11; I tried to return to my professorship but I found out that a former student of mine ran it; I returned to political philosophy; I retired and today I enjoy this doctorate for which I especially thank Rosario Ferrufino, my colleagues, the head of public relations, the rector of the UMSS, who warmly welcomes the initiatives: the members of the University Council and to the former rector Juan Ríos, who was kind to me during his administration.
The Glass Eye
RAMÓN ROCHA MONROY
Writer, lawyer and “City Chronicler”
[email protected]
