Whenever I think of home, my mind does not gravitate to the place I was born. Despite the importance of my upbringing in a working-class community in Western Miami-Dade, home is an ocean away. Fuzzy memories of summers in Nicaragua swarm my mind when I think of home. Whether it be visiting food markets, running around barefoot with my cousins in my sister’s backyard or swimming in Laguna de Apoyo, these recollections from my childhood are filled with warmth. These experiences, my family’s stories and a desire to learn more about my culture over the years have informed my understanding of the area where my family comes from. Despite all of this, living in the Global North has meant a constant and insistent wave of misinformation about Nicaragua and Central America. Portrayals of Central America in the U.S rely on racist, xenophobic and imperialist ideas that create images of backward, crime-ridden and poverty-filled countries within the popular imaginary. While this might seem like a thing of the past, past president George W. Bush recently used the term “banana republic” when describing the scene of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Historically speaking, “banana republic” is a derogatory term to describe politically unstable countries within, but not limited to, Central America. It is a term that denotes social stratification, turmoil and exploitation at the expense of many and benefit of the few. Through the use of this term, Bush preserves the history of viewing my home country as a place of chaos where these kinds of insurrection are normal. It upholds a dichotomy of seeing the U.S as a land of justice and civility and the Global South as primitive and unprogressive.
While our lands struggle with issues of crime and poverty, it is ahistorical to view these issues in a vacuum. Through the very use of the term “banana republic,” we can learn so much about the history of these lands. During the 1900s, the region was struck with issues of economic dependency on the exportation of a single crop, i.e., bananas. Yet, this exploitation was at the hands of U.S. companies, such as the United Fruit Company, which often had more power and control of the country than the governments of the region. According to Merriam-Webster, the term was first used in a novel by William S. Porter in 1904 after he returned from a trip to Honduras. The term describes a country in which the state gets turned into a private enterprise for the profit and benefit of the elite. In short, this is just one of the ways U.S. imperialism and capitalism have marred the region. While the state of Central America cannot be solely tossed onto the U.S., the position these countries currently find themselves in can be linked to moments of U.S. involvement.
Whenever I speak with friends that aren’t from the region, it is often surprising to them just how involved (and recently) the U.S. was in Central America. Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century, the U.S. has supported regime change to oust democratic, leftist leaders with right-wing or military juntas within the region. Whether it be funding the Contras in Nicaragua or participating in the 2009 Honduran coup, the efforts during and following the Cold War era defined the political, social and economic conditions the region grapples with today. Despite there being a great arena for the U.S. to aid the region, such as with the immigration crisis, the U.S. government continues to look away and do its part in perpetuating these issues. As said to Central American migrants, “If you come to our borders, you will be turned back.”
Despite the pain and struggle that comes with our history, being Central American means being resilient. We are not defined by outdated terms and metrics of Western imperialism. We are defined by the diverse cultural contributions of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, which are often ignored by the states of the region. We are defined by the ecological diversity and unparalleled preservation across our lands. We are defined by the literary, musical, artistic and culinary talents of our people. There is more to Central America than crime and poverty. Central America is a place of continuous hope and a community that prospers against all odds. The region continues to push back against authoritarian regimes such as the Ortega-Murillo and Bukele presidencies. Activists and organizers continue to risk their lives in demonstrations to demand political freedoms and the right to live freely. The mobilizations and work these organizers continue to do are a source of education and inspiration. Our rich history in revolutionary action informs much of my political stances as a member of the diaspora in the U.S. While at times it might feel sad to think about the cycles of repression our communities seem to be stuck in, I am inspired by the way the region has survived in the past. I choose to believe the sun will shine on Central America once again.