A WOMAN’S MISSION

Being Guatemalan-born (though raised in the United States since the age of 5), I was impressed with the time, effort and consideration given to Rigoberta Menchu, her goals and admirable quest (“Rigoberta Menchu and the New Mayan Pride,” by Hector Tobar, Jan. 23).

I have been to Guatemala several times and can attest to the blatant abuse, verbal and physical, of these poor people, even by my own family (we are middle-class Ladinos). I have read Menchu’s book and believe all she says about the atrocities heaped upon the Guatemalan Indians. I pray for world compassion and understanding but realize that perhaps one must be an Indian who was born and raised in Guatemala to fully understand.

AURA J. PEREZ

Santa Ana