Guadalajara, Jal. The Nicaraguan anthropologist María José Díaz Reyes obtained first place in the doctoral thesis competition of the Jorge Alonso Chair organized by the Center for Research and Higher Studies in Social Anthropology (Ciesas) and the University of Guadalajara, with her work Discourses of resistance Nicaraguan in the face of state violence 2018.
The jury considered that Díaz Reyes, a researcher at Ciesas in Mexico City, managed to establish in her thesis converted into a book (available for free download on the chair’s website) an anthropological perspective with emphasis on semiotics, language and power, which shows the popular struggles, the student movement that year in Nicaragua and they do “a consultative work to make a critique and self-criticism of the revolutionary processes, in a revolution that led to a process regrettable.”
The event to announce that his thesis won was held in person this Thursday at the University Center of Social Sciences and Humanities (CUCSH) of the UdeG, in which Jorge Alonso was present, while members of the jury and the two anthropologists who received honorable mention were linked via the internet.
The author said that she dedicated her work to exiles, political prisoners and “to those of us who survived and dreamed of returning to our country,” which she abandoned after being harassed by paramilitaries, who always had her located.
He stated that his line of work was semiotic anthropology, socially committed in a year of extreme violence, taking into consideration the complexities of reality to propose “innovative methodologies” that show that social resistance “has had its own processes of reflection and maturity.” ”, resulting in a book that “is committed to being a power through denunciation and historical memory.”
“The creation of the book I thought could make it possible for more Latin American colleagues to learn about this reality that is being relegated compared to other realities. “It is anthropological science at the service of social movements, of truth and the search for justice,” he said.
Francisco de Parres, on behalf of the jury, recalled that the chair was founded 13 years ago and has been publishing the award-winning books for the annual thesis contest for 10 years and that those who evaluated the almost 30 works presented to the contest this time are researchers from universities. such as the Autonomous Metropolitana, the Veracruzana, the Ciesas and the UdeG, including several of those who have already been awarded in previous years.
He highlighted that after a first selection they were left with 18 works and in the end they concentrated on three, in a dynamic that led them to observe issues about migration, mining, cinema, music, commerce, the Mapuche people, journalism, salaries, problems in Bolivia, in Cuba, justice, coffee production or urban struggles, among others.
There were special mentions for Anneliese Hurtado Guzmán, with her thesis Discussions on the indigenous work of Triqui women in Mexico City, between forced migration and capitalism, which included topics of violence, rituality, gender perspectives, appropriation of public spaces, a marginal feminism, stigmas or power relations intertwined with racism.
Alberto Colín Huizar also deserved mention for his book Being a teacher in the margins. Teaching work and criminal violence in the Tierra Caliente of Michoacán, which refers to crime in the environment of public schools in the Apatzingán valley, with situations such as the displacement of people due to physical and symbolic violence. He was grateful that the chair is “a space to promote anti-capitalist movements.”
At CUCSH, Jorge Alonso, accompanied by the rector of that campus, Juan Manuel Durán, congratulated the winner of the award that bears his name and those who obtained honorable mentions, anticipating that next year the chair will focus on topics such as the defense of the territory, other ways of inhabiting cities, art, culture, seeking families, migrants, critical thinking and science and that as of January 1 the call will be open regarding the best theses of 2024, available in the official page
The renowned researcher informed La Jornada that on December 4, at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, there will be a presentation of the Al Faro Zapatista collection, promoted by the Retos publishing cooperative, the Jorge Alonso chair, the CUCSH and the Council Latin American Social Sciences (CLACSO), which consists of 30 books authored by various national and international authors in tribute to Zapatismo.
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#Nicaraguan #anthropologist #awarded #Ciesas #UdeG
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**Dr. de Parres praises Dr. Díaz Reyes’ work for its dedication to “denunciation and historical memory.” In what ways does this thesis contribute to the larger goal of social justice and accountability in Nicaragua?**
RW:
Good evening, and welcome to World Today News. Tonight, we’re diving deep into the world of anthropological research with two distinguished guests. We’ll be discussing the recent award-winning thesis by Nicaraguan anthropologist MaríaJosé Díaz Reyes, which sheds light on the complex realities of resistance against state violence in Nicaragua.
Joining us tonight are Dr. Díaz Reyes herself, the author of the acclaimed work “Discourses of Resistance: Nicaraguan Resistance in the Face of State Violence 2018,” and Dr. Francisco de Parres, a respected member of the jury that selected Dr. Díaz Reyes’ thesis as the winner of the Jorge Alonso Chair competition.
Welcome to both of you.
**Section 1: The Significance of Dr. Díaz Reyes’ Research**
**RW:** Dr. Díaz Reyes, your work has been hailed for its groundbreaking approach to understanding resistance in Nicaragua. Could you unpack the core arguments of your thesis and explain why you chose to focus on the semiotics and language of resistance?
**Dr. Dias Reyes:**
**(Response from Dr. Díaz Reyes highlighting her research methods and the importance of analyzing semiotics and language in her specific context)**
**RW:** Dr. de Parres, in your view, what makes Dr. Díaz Reyes’ work stand out from other anthropological studies on political upheaval and resistance movements? What makes this research particularly timely and relevant?
**Dr. de Parres:**
**(Response from Dr. de Parres, emphasizing the strengths of the thesis and its wider societal impact)**
**Section 2: The Power of Truth and Historical Memory**
**RW:** Dr. Díaz Reyes, your thesis is described as being “committed to being a power through denunciation and historical memory.” Can you elaborate on this concept? What role do you envision your work playing in documenting and preserving the experiences of those who have resisted oppression?
**Dr. Díaz Reyes:**
**(Response from Dr. Díaz Reyes, focusing on the ethical implications of her research and its role in raising awareness and promoting accountability)**
**RW:** Dr. de Parres, how does this thesis contribute to the broader field of anthropological inquiry? What lessons can be learned from studying resistance movements through the lens of semiotics and language?
**Dr. de Parres:**
**(Response from Dr. de Parres, offering a broader academic perspective on the significance of Dr. Díaz Reyes’ work within the field of anthropology)**
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: The Future of Nicaraguan Resistance**
**RW:** Dr. Díaz Reyes, what are your hopes for the future of Nicaragua? How can your research inform the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in the country?
**Dr. Díaz Reyes:**
**(Response from Dr. Díaz Reyes, sharing her personal reflections and aspirations for the future of Nicaragua)**
**RW:** Dr. de Parres, what message would you like to convey to young scholars inspired by Dr. Díaz Reyes’ work?
**Dr. de Parres:**
**(Response from Dr. de Parres, offering words of encouragement and guidance to aspiring researchers)
**RW:** Thank you both for your insightful contributions. Your work is a testament to the power of anthropological research to shed light on critical social issues and inspire positive change. To our viewers, we encourage you to further explore Dr. Díaz Reyes’ groundbreaking thesis, “Discourses of Resistance: Nicaraguan Resistance in the Face of State Violence 2018.”
**(Closing remarks by RW and potentially a teaser for the upcoming Al Faro Zapatista collection presentation at the Guadalajara International Book Fair.)
