Steven Huber, Soc 122 Zapatista Movie Analysis

Steven Huber

Soc 122, M-W@5:30

Analysis of Zapatista Movie

4/13/16

Zapatista Movie Analysis

            This social movement was so large and important that it consisted not of one but of all three theories which make up a social movement. At the beginning of the uprising one of the most important factors to the movement's success was the ability to frame. The proper language that allowed the Zapatista people to be noticed came from a half breed outsider by the name of Marcos "Military Commander of the Zapatista Indigenous Uprising". He did this by way of the internet and through rap music. Prior to his framing abilities, this movement began life as a rebellion. Emilio Zapata led his army of indigenous people to rebel against the Mexican government. This took place so these poor and unheard people could actually become an important part of society again. The problems with this rebellion becoming strong was that there wasn't enough resource mobilization, and there almost was no framing. Marcos brought the people together with his strong and positive words. He used words that gave these forgotten people hope that they once will be heard and cared about again. This positive reinforcement is all that was needed for these needy people to come together and fight with everything they had. What I like about this movement is how all three theories came together. The framing by Marcos brought so many different areas of people together, that there was no doubt resource mobilization would come into play. The resources and funds these people provided just made this cause that much stronger.