Prelude

I'll be documenting and reflecting on my three weeks in Guatemala. I'm going as a participant in a UW exploration seminar called "The Shifting Terrain of Human Rights in Contemporary Guatemala." The history of this country and its contemporary struggles follow a pattern of experiences in many other parts of the world. I'm taking this opportunity to take witness, make connections, and then share what I've learned.

In preparation, our class holds book club meetings. Our reading selection includes:

• Silence on the Mountain: Wilkinson
• Bitter Fruit: Schlesinger & Kinser
• Enrique's Journey: Nazario
• Paradise in Ashes: Manz
• I, Rigoberta Menchu: Menchu