myths of ol' antonio! - to remember is the of art of rebellion

The Zapatista Army

 of National Liberation (EZLN)

 has utilized the character of Old Antonio (El Viejo Antonio), who is both a real elder and a mythical figure, as a narrator for stories that convey the movement's ethical and moral philosophy.

 These stories, often written by Subcomandante Marcos (now Subcomandante Galeano), serve to bridge the revolutionary ideas of the guerrillas with the indigenous cosmovision and traditions of the Chiapas communities.

While there isn't one single, universally recognized "comprehensive list" of ethical stories specifically attributed only to Old Antonio, the ethical outline conveyed through his narratives—often compiled in collections like Los Otros Cuentos (The Other Stories)—

centers on the following key Zapatista principles:

Outline of Old Antonio's Ethical Moral Themes

The stories generally impart an indigenous, collective perspective on justice, democracy, and liberty, contrasting them sharply with the values of neoliberalism and state power.

The primary ethical themes include:

1. Dignity, Resistance, and Self-Determination

 * Core Principle: The inherent worth (dignidad) of the individual and the community, which mandates a refusal to be oppressed or silenced.

 * Outline:

   * Dreaming and Awakening: Stories like "Old Antonio Dreams" illustrate the journey from passive suffering under injustice to the realization of a shared dream for freedom and the necessity of struggle to achieve it. The ethical action is to wake up and walk together to fight for that dream.

   * Challenging Power's Gaze: Narratives (like the one about the lion and the mole) teach that the "lion" (power) kills by looking—by making the prey see itself as small and weak. Ethical strength comes from looking into one's own heart and seeing one's own strength, not the power of the oppressor.

2. The Power of the Word and Silence:

 * Core Principle: The word is a fundamental tool for human connection, healing, and building a new world; silence, when imposed by power, is a form of pain and isolation.

 * Outline:

   * Words as Creation: The "Story of the Words" suggests that the first three words that birthed all others were Democracy, Freedom, and Justice. This outlines the ethical duty to speak these words into existence.

   * Speaking and Listening: True men and women learn to walk (live) by speaking and listening. The word is the "bridge" to cross to the other side (to the other person or community), while silence is what power uses to make people small and alone. The ethical imperative is to maintain dialogue and be heard.

3. Collective Governance and Shared Decision-Making

 * Core Principle: Rejecting top-down, individualistic authority in favor of collective, participatory governance rooted in indigenous traditions.

 * Outline:

   * Leading by Obeying (Mandar Obedeciendo): This central Zapatista maxim—which is more a foundational practice than a story topic—is the practical application of their ethical-political belief. Leaders (commanders) are mandated to listen to and carry out the will of the people, thereby reversing the traditional power dynamic.

   * Walking While Asking (Caminar Preguntando): This principle emphasizes that the path and goals of the struggle cannot be set in advance but must be shaped by constant questioning and dialogue with those encountered along the way. The ethical act is one of humility and constant consultation.

4. A World Where Many Worlds Fit

 * Core Principle: Pluralism and the recognition that diverse ways of life, cultures, and truths must coexist, rejecting the imposition of a single, hegemonic "truth" (like global capitalism).

 * Outline:

   * Critique of Singular Reality: Old Antonio's stories often subtly critique the "pre-fabricated story" or the "truth" offered by those in power. The ethical goal is the denial of a singular reality and the creation of a world where different forms of justice and knowledge are possible.

   * Cosmovision and Indigenous Legitimacy: The narratives function as "neo-myths" that use indigenous oral traditions and metaphors to provide an alternative, ancient, and legitimate foundation for Zapatismo, contrasting their community values with external forces of exploitation.