The Prize & Punishment of all Venezuelans

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 1:55:04 PM By: Oscar Heck

VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: These words come from the mouth of a close friend of mine living in the Caracas barrio (slum) where I find myself at this time.

A few days ago, he and his extended family, had been interviewed by a Canadian CBC reporter (and cameraman) and with a reporter from Denmark. At their request, one member of the family escorted each for day trips through the barrio ... they interviewed and filmed throughout a good portion of the barrio.

• Visits (with interviews) to the barrios by the media is extremely rare.  Seldom does the media take the time and effort to visit and listen to people who represent a great portion of the Venezuelan population.

The reporters were surprised by several things:

1. The fact that people here in the barrio CONFIRMED that during the entire time of "el paro" (the stoppage -which began December 2, 2003 - incited by the anti-Chavez opposition), almost everything was 'business as usual' ... at least 80-90% of all stores and businesses were open and functioning, and still are. (This is unlike what was being reported by the conventional Venezuelan media who reported that the entire country was shut down and on strike).

2. That about half the people approached who were asked about what they thought of the present Venezuelan political situation refused to respond or said "Go ask the politicians or the people who attend marches and demonstrations." (Which contrasts with what much of the Venezuelan media reports are saying about increased voiced opposition support).

3. That the majority of the people believe that Chavez, through good or bad governance, had done the best thing for the people (the thing that any former government had neglected to do); to OPEN the eyes of the poor people, to give them dignity and a voice, to allow them to know and exercise their rights as human beings rather than remaining "slaves" to the richer Venezuelans. (This contrasts with what much of the Venezuelan media and opposition are trying to tell the world; that there is no division between the people, no "class" division, no racism, and that there has never been any).

The eyes of the poor have been opened and some lose their privileges.

There are some anti-Chavez opposition people that write to me saying: "ignorant, communist, socialist, leftist, Canadian -- go home!, you are blind, you do not understand Venezuela, go to Cuba ... you are an embarrassment, etc."

I suggest to the people who respond to me in this fashion to spend some time in the barrios of Caracas.

Come to the barrios to do your reporting and your interviews .... like they did ... the CBC reporter and cameraman and the reporter from Denmark.

Oscar Heck oscarheck111@hotmail.com