August 6th marked the 182nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Bolivia. The occasion was marked with the usual civic acts and festivities. Bloggers wished their country a happy birthday, but others wished for something greater. It was also a time to reflect upon their hopes for their country, while recognizing that there have been some bumps along the way.
Miguel Esquirol of El Forastero [ES] writes [1]:
182 años no son mucho para construir un país, pero es bueno poder decir que la gente es boliviana porque lo ha decidido y lucha para conseguir la Bolivia que desea, y aunque esto a veces traiga problemas, a veces sentirse parte del país es suficiente.
182 years is not much to build a country, but it is good to be able to say that the people are Bolivian because it has decided to fight for the country that it wants, and even though that this sometimes brings problems, that sometimes just to feel part of the country is enough.
Andres Pucci, a blogger from Santa Cruz, has often felt discriminated against [2] and laments some of the comments in earlier blog posts.
Bolivia hoy cumple 182 años de vida independiente, 182 año con mas bajos que altos, Canada tiene 76 años de independencia con mas altos que bajos, las comparaciones son odiosas, de acuerdo, pero, ¿por qué estamos asi? repito, por la actitud, la actitud de mirar hacia atras, criticar la colonización (que no existió, fue conquista), criticando al que tiene apellido “extranjero” a pesar de tener padre y madre bolivianos, abuelos nacidos y criados en provincia, tatarabuelos que donaron bienes a su pueblo y antepasados que murieron por la independencia de este país.
Today, Bolivia celebrates 182 of independent life. 182 years with more lowpoints, than highpoints. Canada only has 76 years of independence, but with more ups than downs. The comparisons are unfair, but why are we here? It is because of the attitude of looking at the past, criticizing the colonization (which did not exist, it was a conquest), critizicing those with a “foreign” surname even though one might have a Bolivian father and mother, grandparents born and raised in the provinces, great grandparents that gave land to their country and ancestors that died for this country's independence.
Some bloggers like Carlos Hugo Molina of Agora [ES] paints a picture of a Bolivia [3]that he wishes to see.
El MAS deberá aceptar, una vez más, que ofreció lo que sabía no podía cumplir. Al hacerlo, estará demostrando madurez política y sentido de realidad.
La derecha deberá aceptar que fracasó en los modelos de estados que propuso, y que no queremos volver al país de las transas, los latifundios, el cuoteo del 60/40 y la corrupción.
MAS (Government political party) should once again accept that it offered much more than it knew that it accomplish. By doing this, it would show politicial maturity and a sense of reality.
The right-wing should accept that it failed in the state models that it proposed and that we do not want to return to a country of dealings, feudalism, the 60/40 quotas and corruption.
The anonymous bloggers at Morir Antes Que Esclavos Vivir [ES] continues [4]:
Por un país sin marchas ni bloqueos, que respeta y asume su diversidad y multiculturalidad y que más allá del credo, cultura y color de la piel acoje a cada uno de sus habitantes.
Por un país sin odios, ni rencores, que no busca revanchismo ni venganza con enemigos imaginarios y que se maneja en la línea del respeto y la tolerancia.
For a country with neither marches, nor blockades that respects and embraces its diversity and multiculturalism and that includes each of its citizens irrespective of their creed, culture or skin color.
For a country without hatred or bitterness that does not look for revenge with imagined enemies and that maintains the line of respect and tolerance.
Finally, an independence day parade in Santa Cruz, which featured indigenous groups from outside the city was predicted to bring conflict. However, journalist José Andrés Sánchez of El Pais de las Maravillas [ES] was relieved and writes [5]:
Muchos de ellos flameaban la bandera y a cada paso exhibían un civismo pocas veces visto. Debo reconocer que me emocioné como pocas veces frente a un televisor. Me sentí no solo maravillado sino orgulloso de que esta demostración de apertura y unidad se de en mi ciudad. Debo reconocer que me agradó mucho ver a Evo Morales y García Linera al lado de Rubén Costas y Percy Fernández. Los cuatro aplaudían y sonreían. Debo reconocer (aunque a algunos no les guste) que me gusta la paz y no la tensión del conflicto
Many of them waved the flag and at each step demonstrated a civid price seldom seen. I must admit that not too often have I been as moved in front of a television screen. I felt not only amazed, but proud of this demonstration of unity in my city. I must also admit that I felt grateful to see Evo Morales and Garcia Linera (Bolivian Vice-President) side by side with Ruben Costas (Santa Cruz Prefect) and Percy Fernandez (Santa Cruz mayor). The four applauded and smiled. I admit (even though some do not like to admit it) that I like peace and not conflict and tension.