ABSTRACT

We propose to analyze how difference is constructed in order to produce diverse inequalities along the lines of ethnicity, social class, generation, and gender, in Yaxcabá, a Maya village in Yucatán. We show how the people of Yaxcabá differentiate themselves ethnically through the use of surnames associated with either Maya or Spanish descent. This interethnic classification system emerges from a collective imaginary that employs a supposed cultural difference to reproduce social, economic, and symbolic inequalities. These are then used to justify discriminatory practices by Yaxcabá people who claim Spanish origin against other community members who are identified as of indian origin. These practices are expressed through a complex social organization between family groups, linking and confronting different collective, essentialized, and stigmatized identities, which serve to establish social and prestige positions. We show how other inequalities are compiled on top of this ethnic differentiation, such as generational inequality and gender inequality. Women of Maya origin suffer a compounded inequality, rooted in Mayan language and culture, which subordinates them to men. All of this motivates young men and women to desire to change their social situation.

摘要

我们建议分析差异是如何构建的，以便在尤卡坦州的玛雅村庄 Yaxcabá 中沿着种族、社会阶层、世代和性别产生不同的不平等。我们展示了 Yaxcabá 人如何通过使用与玛雅人或西班牙血统相关的姓氏来区分自己的种族。这种跨种族的分类系统源于一种集体想象，它利用假定的文化差异来再现社会、经济和象征性的不平等。然后，这些被用来证明声称西班牙血统的 Yaxcabá 人对被确定为印度血统的其他社区成员的歧视行为是合理的。这些实践通过家庭群体之间复杂的社会组织来表达，将不同的集体、本质化、和污名化的身份，这些身份有助于建立社会和声望地位。我们展示了如何在这种种族差异之上编制其他不平等，例如代际不平等和性别不平等。源自玛雅的女性遭受着复杂的不平等，根植于玛雅语言和文化，使她们从属于男性。所有这些都激励着年轻男女渴望改变他们的社会状况。