Impact in the Present

Nothing we do in this world is without impact on others. Every little single thing we do affects a later situation. People are impactful. Their words and actions trickle down onto others. This is even more evident when it comes to public figures. Celebrities from decades ago inspire how we dress, speak, act, and think. Marilyn Monroe is still a household name despite her death in the 1960’s. When it comes to infamy, that is also true. You can kill a person, but never their thoughts and impact on others. Even with the takedown of Alberto Fujimori and the Shining Path party, their radical ideas exist in modern day society, and they aren’t going away anytime soon.

 

After Abimael Guzman’s capture, most of his party, the Shining Path slowed down. Their popularity spiked down and less and less attacks occurred. This doesn’t mean that their radical beliefs are no longer popular. While small, the Shining Path still have a few members. They have been inactive, except some speculation of them still committing terrorist attacks, although the validity is not very strong. The biggest affect of Shinning Path is the fear of it occurring again, causing people to give into “red scare” methods. Many leftist activists have their name slandered and are accused of being supporters of terrorism. (Trelles, N., & Trelles, N. 2018)

 

Alberto Fujimori won the hearts of the Peruvian people by capturing Abimael Guzman and making them feel safe, but as we know, that did not last long. While he wasn’t the first sheep in wolf’s clothing and he won’t be the last, his impact on politics is seen today. His daughter Keiko Fujimori has taken over for him and his supporters want him forgiven. His supporters still rally for him and wish for his daughter to become president and finish what he started. (Oxford Analytica, 2016)

 

All-in-all, history cannot be forgotten and should be used as a learning experience. What happened in the 90’s was tragic, and many causalities were hurt and killed in a civil war between two people too selfish to see their wrongs. This has taught me there is a no clear good or evil.  They both believed they were saving this country. In their eyes, they were doing whatever it took to move Peru forward. The intention to help was there but the reality was death, violence, and trauma to the very country they swore to protect.  

 

References:

Trelles, N., & Trelles, N. (2018). Terruquear, terruqueo, terruqueadores. Universidad de Piura. https://2020.udep.edu.pe/castellanoactual/terruquear-terruqueo-terruqueadores/

 

Oxford Analytica (2016), "Fujimoristas will dominate new Congress in Peru", Expert Briefings.

https://doi.org/10.1108/OXAN-DB210796