La Felicidad

When we were first introduced to the ten themes, each person was assigned a theme and had to define it in their own words, plus provide examples that they had witnessed in Nicaragua. These next 10 entries are supposed to be more academic and less personal, but in order to really disect the theme and how it applies to a poem, song, etc., there's no way to avoid getting a bit personal because the definitions of each theme is subjective.

The theme that I was given was La Felicidad, or happiness. I had never understood the need for two spanish verbs to define the english translation of "to be", until I had to define happiness. I had always understood the differences between "Ser" and "Estar", and knew what situation would call for the use of which verb, but I never exactly understood why until I started thinking about my own definition of happiness. In English, we just simply say a sentence such as; "He's happy because he just got money". But does that mean he's a genuinely happy person? Does money buy happiness? In English, there's no way to separate temporary, conditional happiness from inate, unconditional happiness. Whereas in the Spanish language, the verb Estar would be used to describe the temporary, and the verb Ser would be used to describe the inate. They both mean to be, but their usage is different. Now, all of the Estar versus Ser business begins to make some sense. Personally, when I think of happiness, I think of the inate kind because although you can be temporarily happy, that feeling will go away and then what are you left with?

In the poem, "El Celular" by Ernesto Cardenal; the poet speaks of the temporary happiness of people from developed countries. We had learned that many things can be symbols for power, such as horses that were brought into Nicaragua from the Spaniards. In this poem, the symbol for power is technology in the form of the cell phone. He writes about how people; while talking on their cell phones, laugh and smile and display a sense of fulfillment. But if technology is a symbol of power, and we are its consumers, than that makes us the powerful and in order to be powerful, that means that there are the powerless. So while we may be happy to have the newest blackberry or I-phone, at what cost is our happiness? And we're only happy for a little while because there's this little thing that silicon valley uses called planned obsolescence, meaning that cell phone companies already have the next 5 models ready at the time that they put out the first model. They plan that first model to become obsolete, and from a money making perspective its a genious idea. As consumers, few realize this, and even fewer put any thought into how their product was made and those that were taken advantage of in order to make it. So yes, we may be happy as we text message until our thumbs cant handle it any more, but at what cost is this so called happiness?

As the saying goes, "Ignorance is Bliss"; however, not knowing the truth is no excuse. When you order food at a restaurant, don't you ask how its prepared, in case you have an allergy? Unless a food is made with peanuts, will a restaurant generally inform their patrons of food dishes containing allergens. Its up to the patron to ask for information, and as one consumes food, those that use cell phones, computers etc. are consumers as well, just of a different product. Major companies are not going to tell you that they have blood on their hands, and just because no ones informing the public does not absolve the companies' consumers of responsibility to be asking questions. We too, the consumers, have blood on our hands as well. A different industry with a problem similar to coltan in the technology industry is the diamond industry, and the movie Blood Diamond shows an accurate depiction. Essentially, in order for us to have that jaw-dropping, sparkling engagement ring, or whatever piece of jewelery, villages are raided and the men are taken and forced to dig for diamonds. In the movie, a man was separated from his family, and his son was taken and trained to be a renegade soldier, and was taught how to shoot up drugs and kill on demand. The boy, and many others, were brainwashed to despise their parents and to shoot them if needed.

Essentially, the poet is pointing out that our temporary happiness has been causing permanent loss of life, culture and resources to others. Crimes against humanity are being performed for the purpose of quicker and better communication, and these are crimes against our brothers and sisters, for we are all human beings. This is a form of oppression at its best because we deprive our fellow human being the opportunity to better their lives and the lives of their children. While knowing that the United States has been outsourcing jobs since we have used up our own natural resources, how can we not demand information regarding where the products are made and the conditions they are made under? This is not just a consumer's responsibility, but that of a human being's.

When we do not seek the truth, when we cease to ask questions, we cease to be fully human because we are no longer using what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom; our brains and intelligence--which has helped us to adapt to, change, and destroy the world we were given. If we aren't seeking out the truth, then we also become apathetic. If we have arrived to the point of apathy, how can we ever truly feel happiness in the first place?

The human condition is not a political, nor ethnic issue. Some may argue its a religious issue but even in the realm of religion there are conflicts and wars involving death and destruction. The human condition; therefore, needs to be taken up by its namesake: humankind. If we are the caretakers of this world, and if we refer to the developing nations as "Older Brother", and we refer to developed nations as "Little Brother", than we have a resposibility; an accountability for and to one another. We cannot be the caretakers of this world without being each other's caretaker. How can happiness, serenity, and peace ever be acheived if its at the expense of our own brother?

Any type of exchange, whether of ideas, or material goods has a mutual dependency for both parties involved. Whether producer and consumer, or speaker and listener, neither would function without the role of its partner. Therefore, consumers are a part of production, listeners are part of a conversation. How can we acheive happiness when we, consumers, are killing our brother by an extension of, if not even our hand?

POEM BY ERNESTO CARDENAL: "El Celular"