Don't Be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks From The Heart: The Story of Elvia Alvarado

A strange title for a book that sums up one of the problems of USA's intervention in Central America. Central American governments often apply their U.S. military aid to curtail any progressive social change and to reinforce their repressive government. Elvia Alvarado, a courageous Honduran woman that many would dismiss as simply a rabble-rouser is actually solving what many consider the main problem of the former banana republic countries. The small wealthy class owns most of the land to the extent that there is a large landless peasant "campesino" class. An agrarian reform law was passed in Honduras to lawfully award small sections of large unproductive estates to the campesinos to overcome this injustice in land ownership. The average campesino is ignorant of this law or their country's legal system. The situation really seems hopeless, but Elvia and selected leaders received training sponsored by the Catholic Church. The course trains them to organize the campesinos to demand their rights. The Campesino struggle is similar to the civil rights marches in the American South. They might be legally correct through a slow acting legal system, but they often meet the spontaneous violence of the local authorities before they gain legal access..Other interesting points brought out by this book is the oppressive condition of women in campesino society. If a solid family structure is the building block of a healthy society then this is a failed society. Elvia's own story and others she alludes to demonstrates the disruption of family and the displacement of children brought about by beatings and live-in conditions offered women when no other alternative is available. I do not have any first hand knowledge of poverty to this degree, but I believe this is a good book (explanation) to try and understand why poverty still exists in some countries even though they have been the beneficiaries of large amounts of international aid. There was not too much of the text that dealt with "the Gringo" except to say that as the U.S. brought pressure to bear upon Nicaragua, repression by Honduran troops also ratcheted up. Other than that it is really an interesting account of a brave woman standing up for her rights. Well worth the read.

When I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras from 1987-89, I wish I had read this book. Had I done so, I might have changed the way I did some of my work.Don't Be Afraid, Gringo had just come out when I completed my training in May 1987. Had I been more persistent and read the book back then, I might have been a better volunteer and tried some different approaches other than the standard stuff. As a literacy promoter working on the North Coast and in the Aguan Valley, I worked with some of the same types of peasant cooperatives that are discussed in the book. I often didn't know intimately what these peasants were going through. Yes, I spent time in various cooperatives doing my literacy work. I'd chat with community leaders, maybe do some training or projects with the literacy teachers. But I never really got to the heart of the matter. This book took me there. It answered many of my lingering questions.The book not only takes you inside the campesino movement, but also takes you deep inside the feelings, customs, and everyday struggles of the poorest peasants in Honduras. Many saw the more outspoken peasants as troublemakers, when in fact, all they wanted was a good meal to eat.If you're thinking about traveling to Central America -- or you are planning to do work there -- this book is still very relevant and important. Though many changes have occurred in Honduras over the years, many things still remain the same.

Good insight into the experience of the Honduran campesino (and more to the point, the campesina) in the 1970s and 80s. I imagine that while not 100% of it applies today (the political and military situations in the US, Russia, and Central America have changed since then), some of it remains very relevant. What Alvarado has to say about the effects of poverty, solutions to social issues, the challenges and benefits of organizing and empowering the women in the communities, and the culture are likely still as fresh as the day she said them. A bonus for me was that having read Ryszard Kapuscinski's account of the Soccer War (twice), I appreciated reading about the conflict from her completely different point of view.Benjamin did a great job of maintaining Alvarado's voice and the flow of the storytelling - note that Benjamin is credited as "translator" rather than "author," as her goal was to preserve and publish Alvarado's thoughts. While the subject matter is serious, Alvarado frequently shows her sense of humor, and it was a fairly quick read. I can't say I agree with all the theoreticals espoused by the subject, but Alvarado's narrative helped me understand why she felt that way, so I feel it was successful.

No flaws, brand new as mentioned. The book content itself was insightful. I enjoyed reading Elvia Alvarado's testimonio.

Well worth reading by Marxists and Libertarians alike and evenconservatives if you want to know what the circumstances are in Central America. Note that the translator and "ghost "writer is a bureaucrat . Well written and true to life this is the model for the caravans and for Valenzuela /Cuban agitation against the bourgeois of Central America. The book points out the futility of aid to and though the government or the parallel NGOs

Took a little longer to arrive before i wanted it but all was in good condition as described. would do business again with them anytime. I would call myself a seasoned traveler to Honduras, despite the usual travel warnings now and then from the state department, but i wanted to know more about the struggles some Hondurans go through and this book i felt could enlighten me a lot more despite the usual life in Tegus, Roatan, Copan and other well to do areas.