By Katrina Wills
Staff Correspondent
BUENOS AIRES–In my letters to you, I have described how to identify an Argentine by their pride, ultra-hip clothes and style (just last week I was again deemed crazy for wearing flip-flops). However, I would like to think a bit deeper. I ask, who are these people and what is going on in this country?
I know, I know. You may be asking, “Why does Katrina care?” Understand that I am among Argentines all the time. They are my family, friends, professors, piano teachers, grocery cashiers and shoe shiners — who do a noteworthy spic ‘n’ span job.
Recently, Convocations have been question-and-answer sessions that help us understand the constantly changing, constantly confusing political, economical and social situation here. We picked the brains of the editor of Buenos Aires Herald — available online in English — and a top journalist for La Nacion national newspaper. Both men have spent considerable time in both the U.S. and Argentina and they live in Buenos Aires.
Everyone across the world knows Argentina is having problems. Most people know its currency (Arg. Peso) fell in value from 1:1 with the U.S. dollar, to 3.6:1 since last spring.
Few people know the public institutions for the poor, orphans and homeless, due to lack of government funds, are almost extinct. No one knows if the government will ever be just and raise, at least, one notch above muy malo—very bad.
Nationally, the government has power and people have little ability to be heard. Senators take and offer bribes and people have given up trusting their leaders. With the presidential primaries coming soon, Argentines don’t ask for ethical politicians anymore. They just want Argentina put back together.
Internationally, Argentina is getting burned. I mean past the third degree, by its debt to foreign countries, including the United States and aid organizations like the International Monetary Fund.
My parents ask how the economic and political crisis is affecting my experience. Honestly, someone could live in our neighborhood, not watch TV and be unaware of the extent of problems. Each evening, I see well-dressed people searching the curbside trash for anything useful and I assume they have always been a part of Buenos Aires.
But that’s not true. They weren’t there six years ago.
Neither were the bulky Argentine flight taxes for foreigners, middle-class families forced to sell second homes, horn-honking to protest demonstrations or the multiple currencies—made by the government hoping to balance the budget—floating around the country causing even more frustration.
The Argentines, I have concluded, are strong people. They tolerate abuse from authorities and have unity among one another.
Since government institutions meant to aid people in hard situations are failing, family and friends have become tighter and even more valuable than before. They all have a common bond and fear. I believe this makes their social institution of family and brotherhood the most stable than I have ever seen.
Every Argentine wants this situation to get better and I ask for your prayers that it does.
October 24, 2002