The first event sponsored by the new CLAIR (Center for Latin American and Iberian Research) at UCSB was Dr. Giovanni Batz’ launch of The Fourth Invasion on February 5th. This was a truly special event to commemorate the beginning of CLAIR and celebrate Professor Batz’ years of collaboration with Indigenous Ixil Maya of Cotzal, Guatemala. Daina Sanchez, Associate Professor of Chicana Studies, moderated. Here to mark the occasion with us was Don Concepción Santay Gómez, Alcalde Indígena (Ancestral Authority) of Cotzal.
Much as the book begins with a foreword coming from the Ancestral Authority, Don Concepción kicked us off with the powerful and sobering narrative of his people’s history since the early days of Spanish colonialism. He made us aware of the successive invasions mentioned in the book’s title, from colonialism, farmers taking land for agriculture, and genocide, to the modern incursion of transnational corporations and the Palo Viejo hydroelectric plant. For the people of Cotzal, a simple resistance against the theft of their land led to them being treated as criminals and terrorists. They are not violent or unreasonable; the baton they use to protect themselves is a symbol, not a weapon. Their fight continues, and we are grateful to be aware of it through Don Concepción’s oration and the written narrative of The Fourth Invasion.
Charles Hale, the Dean of Social Sciences, and Javiera Barandiarán, LAIS Director of Graduate Studies, offered commentary next. Dr. Hale said that Professor Batz set a potential gold standard, earning his approval from the community and their recommendation that future researchers follow in his footsteps. Dr. Barandiarán drew parallels to her own work, describing the invasion of corporations (even the specific one running Palo Viejo) as an “alarmingly common story.”
Finally, Professor Batz shared a few words about his journey navigating academia. He did not always feel he belonged in these spaces as a first-generation student. He spoke on the notion of the “indio permitido” and on standing out. Nevertheless, Professor Batz was rebellious and refused to be defined by others. Professor Batz blazed a trail in academia for himself, embodied in this release of this groundbreaking book he has worked on since 2011. To watch him and Don Concepción share their collaborative effort was an honor.