As globalization accelerates throughout the world, Latin America, neoliberal logic has contributed to the attitude that English, Chinese, French, and Arabic are the most functional languages to study. There is little or no economic value in knowing and speaking indigenous languages. I have done extensive research on Andean hip hop artists who share many commonalities; to reach people through sound, particularly indigenous youth. Politicians and government actions seek to weaken and destabilize the power of this movement, but it is the rappers and musicians like the ones I study in this present investigation that are giving body and spirit to this continued legacy of resistance. In their lyrics, audiovisual productions, and even some documentaries that feature their work, the rappers connect their creative work with their life experiences. Through their music, they make sense of personal, familial, and cultural histories that happen to them individually and occur on larger scales. This music acts as a form of circulating knowledge between younger and older generations, even if the stories’ genre, style, and portrayal are different from how previous generations told stories. The artists’ creations function as a form of oral history and a horizontal teaching tool for future generations. As a student who has been studying Spanish for years and plans to continue increasing my linguistic and intercultural proficiency to help me and others in my professional path, I must continue to become more informed. I must study the diversity of voices in the Spanish-speaking world, and I think this sort of research that seeks to integrate the voices of indigenous people in Spanish-language classrooms is vital for me and all of my peers.
Author: Khenadi Grubb
Advisor: Caroline Shipley, Spanish & Portuguese
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