Why do Zapatistas wear masks?
First, the masks represent the need for anonymity among the indigenous people fighting for autonomy and against the injustices inflicted on their people for generations. Despite the “peace agreement”, there is still a real danger to these people – the government of Mexico has done little to implement the accord that gives the indigenous communities of Mexico limited autonomy. The masks are a symbol not only of anonymity, but also egalitarianism. The masks are very symbolic to the Zapatistas. Despite the reality that the Zapatistas took over all the major cities in the highlands of Chiapas on Jan 1, 1994, this was not their first choice – culturally they feel that dialogue, not violence is the best way to find solutions. At that time, they say, they gave up “the word” (or their voices) so that they could be heard and, by wearing masks, they give up their faces in order to be seen. “With my mask, I’m a Zapatista in a struggle for dignity and justice,” replied the masked man to whom this
