The mirror of dignity: Zapatista communications & indigenous resistance
Date
2002
Authors
Pitawanakwat, Brock Thorbjorn
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Abstract
The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) is an indigenous resistance movement that has achieved remarkable results in its communications campaign in Chiapas, Mexico. The EZLN has successfully drawn attention to indigenous rights domestically and internationally, a success that offers potential lessons for the decolonizing efforts of indigenous peoples elsewhere. Although limiting factors exist, this thesis generalizes the Zapatistas' particular communications experience into a model of action that directs other indigenous resistance movements to: (1) self-consciously build on the historical context of their communities and nations to create an identity of resistance; (2) develop communications infrastructure; (3) develop spokespersons; (4) attract and maintain media and public interest; (5) clearly frame the adversary and the objective; (6) nationalize and internationalize their cause; (7) offer useful services to communities; (8) avoid message manipulation and cooptation; and (9) beware of "perception management" by the adversary.