Memories

As you probably already know, South America has a long history of military regimes and dictatorships. Argentina is no exception to this trend.



A few months ago Andre discovered a building that served as a clandestine detention center, used by the Argentine Air Force, during the military dictatorship of the 1970s.


"Ex-Air Force Clandestine Detention Center. 30,000 comrads detained, disappeared. Neighbors of San Cristobal against impunity."


"Los Desaparecidos" are those who were "disappeared" by the military dictatorship. Most theories suggest that people suspected of conspiracy or opposition to the regime were kidnapped, tortured and usually murdered. On the off-chance you managed to escape, you needed to flee the country, or else risk putting yourself and your family in peril. The reason they are regarded as the disappeared is because their bodies were never found. Again, most theories suggest that their bodies were disposed of by dropping them into the Pacific from a plane.



Perhaps the loudest, strongest and most heart-breaking voice for government accountability on the issue of "the disappeared" are Las Madres (Mothers) de la Plaza de Mayo. This organization is composed and run mostly by the mothers and sisters of the disappeared.



A now very powerful and well respected organization, Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo routinely gather (I believe every weekend) at la Plaza de Mayo, in front of La Casa Rosada, wearing their trademark white headscarves to honor their disappeared relatives and remind the government that 33 years after the fall of the dictatorship they still have not been given answers.

(Plaza de Mayo)

It's scary to think that someone may try to erase you and all memory of you. Though, I don't think that could ever be a completely successful endeavor. The story of Argentina's oppressive and bloody past will always be there, whether we remember it or not. After living here for so long, I know I will always remember it. What makes it stick out even more in my mind is that detention center that Andre spotted while walking down the street.


"Here operated the Virrey Cevallos Clandestine Detention, Torture and Extermination Center. We are working to take back this Memorial Site."

The fact that this building is located about 3 blocks from my apartment beckons the question, if this building came in and affected the lives of so many hundreds (if not thousands) of people, why should it not affect mine? Why should I not remember it like so many others do?