Activist and holistic healer Juan Almenarez spoke Wednesday in the Humanities Building to UW-Madison students and community members on healing in times of crisis and trauma. He spoke about his experience dealing with civilians who have suffered under tyranny in Honduras and gave words of wisdom in dealing with the recent crisis in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Almenarez introduced himself with a history of how he found his calling in aiding the Honduran people and others suffering around the world.
'One of the driving forces for me to be involved is that I have a history of violence myself,' Almenarez said.
Despite the suffering Amenarez said he has endured and witnessed, he said he did not harbor feelings of retribution, only the desire to fight.
'I was traumatized, but I don't have hate,' Almenarez said. 'But that doesn't mean that I don't have [the spirit to struggle.]'
Speaking of the history of the tragedies in Honduras, Almenarez emphasized the helplessness Hondurans felt in the development of their own country.
'All our history has been written by others, not by our own people,' Almenarez said. 'We have been a country of tragedies; we have been a country living under terror.'
During an open forum after his speech, audience members asked questions about the American reaction to the events Sept. 11, and what Almenarez saw as the best way for the nation to deal with the trauma the attacks have caused.
'There is one way: That is denial,' Almenarez said. 'But the best way is to talk about our fears.'
Alemenarez stressed the need for a peaceful solution and solidarity within the community.
'[America] must develop peace; we must develop an international movement for peace,' he said.
Alemenarez said tragedies affect an entire community, whether directly or indirectly.
'When they torture or kill one person in a community, the whole community is traumatized,' Almenarez said.
He said there was a need for the public to change its mentality.
'We are not going to solve the problems of violence unless we develop a conscience,' Almenarez said.
An audience member said Americans should look to Honduras as an example of community support, because although America is rich in resources, it lacks a sense of unity amongst the people.
Other concerns addressed by the audience were with America's healing process being focused too much on economics and not enough on the lives lost. However, Almenarez said he saw America's political and economic position as a chance for a new standard for a peaceful healing process to be set.
'You will have the most beautiful revolution in the world; it will not be violent,' Almenarez said.
