Lecture 15: Latin/o culture, society, and politics in the 21st century Flashcards
Who declared the war on drugs?
In the 1970s, Reagan declares the US’s war on drugs (escalates during Reagan and Bush administrations)
What are the policies implemented during the war on drugs?
- Increased law enforcement and incarceration
- Interdiction and eradication programs of drugs
- Military aid and intervention (funding/training for security forces in LA)
What do policies targeting drug use look like now in the US?
Although there is still a problem with incarceration, there are more policies aimed towards public health approaches
What is the impact of the war on drugs on LA?
- Rise in cartel culture
- Rise of violence and instability
- Destruction of local economy
- Police corruption and violence (since drugs need to be transported by land)
- Migration
- Environmental damages
What are achievements in women’s rights in LA?
- Gender violence awareness
- Reproductive rights (access to abortion and contraception)
- Political representation (more women in leadership roles)
What are achievements in LGBTQ2+ rights in LA?
- Same-sex marriage and adoption
- Trans rights
- Pride and visibility
What are ongoing challenges in women and LGBTQ2+ movements?
- Conservative and religious oppositions
- Violence against women and queer people/activists
- Legal disparities (progress uneven across region)
What is the situation with mental health in LA?
- High rates of mental health issues (especially in youth)
- Lack of access to resources/services
- Inaccessibility due to high cost and insurance
- Stigma and cultural barriers
- Exacerbated by political instability, ongoing violence, and poverty
- COVID 19 hit hard
What is recent progress involving mental health support in LA?
- Virtual mental health aid/support (telemedicine)
- Some countries have adopted/are developing mental health policies
- Increased effort to destigmatize mental health
What is the evolution of environmental activism from the 1970s to the present?
70s-80s: Resistance from peasant and Indigenous communities
1990s-2000s: growth in environmental NGOs, legal reforms, and international attentions
2000s-present: rise of grassroots movements, climate justice activism, and Indigenous-led environmental defense
What are some achievements regarding environmentalism in LA?
- Legal protections (envr laws, PAs, rights of nature)
- Indigenous leadership
- Global awareness and activism
What are current challenges regarding environmental issues?
- Deforestation and biodiversity loss
- Corporate and governmental resistance backed by political interests
- Climate change impacts
- Violence against activists
What caused the spike in the destruction of the Amazon in 2019?
- Before 2019, there was a rise in beef consumption –> need for livestock feed (i.e. soy)
- A lot of the Amazon forest was converted to soy farms
- Lula implemented many policies to protect the forest
- However, in 2019, Bolsonaro was elected and supported the Ruralistas by repealing many of these policies
