F*** the Police

In my Spanish class this past week we have been learning about the history of Argentina. Even though I am a history major, I have never really studied much, if any, of the history of South America. Obviously each country has its own vastly different history of independence. What has interested me most though is Argentina's modern history and what is referred to as the Dirty War. Just as recent as the 1960's through the 80's the People's Revolutionary Army kidnapped and murdered people(who they said held ideas or views against the communist militia) almost weekly. Those arrested were usually sent to a sort of concentration camp and most likely simply "disappeared." Human rights groups have estimated the numbered of the "disappeared" to be near 30,000! According to my teacher the militia would drop the corpses out in sea. There was a period of time when bodies upon bodies kept washing up in the coastal areas of Argentina and Uruguay. Today justice is far from being served. There are very few militia behind bars, most of which are under house arrest; a far cry from the punishment they deserve. Today the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" congregate very frequently to try to bring justice to their children who have "disappeared."

It is not so surprising to hear that almost all portenos have a complete distrust of La Policia. My teacher, for example, was taught since a child to not go to the police unless absolutely necessary. Even if your house is robbed there is no way you would call the police she says, that would just make things worse. If you let the police in your house they will just steal more! I had my first kind of awakening to this mindset when this Irish guy we have met a couple of times said that when he left the same bar as us the past weekend, in the most expensive/safest neighborhood, the police asked to see his ID. Once he got home he realized they had actually taken all of his money from his wallet.

It is kind of a bizarre feeling living somewhere knowing that the police are not to be trusted. Even though there are obviously corrupt police in the US, the overwhelming majority is not. They way people talk about La Policia here makes me think of the French song, F*** the Police by the band NTM.

On a lighter note.... the pictures from the previous post are mostly from San Telmo. Every Sunday there is a famous market going for blocks and blocks. Pretty spectacular!

Also we figured out how the portenos manage to eat so late here...Almost all have a snack around 8, usually consisting of cafe and either medialunas or facturas(slightly different and both less delicious than a croissant). If I start doing this though I will gain so much weight. Anyway it is better to eat earlier because we will never have to wait in lines, which happens here after 9 at many many restaurants.