Words for the sisters.

Originally published in Spanish by the EZLN ************************** Translated by irlandesa, based on transcription of recording [Comandanta Fidelia’s Words in Oventik, August 9, 2003] Very good afternoon, sisters of the Mexican people and of the world. Sisters: We would like to speak these words to you from my revolutionary sisters of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, who also send you their very special greetings. Sister women: I would like to say these little words to you. Today we are calling on the Mexican people, the men, demanding our respect as the women we are. We are not only going to demand it - since we are not going to ask for favors or plead - this is going to be compulsory. Because, sister women, you know quite well that women are there, in the countryside and the city. They are working, their rights are being violated. They do not respect them. That is why, today, we are inviting the women of all Mexico and the world, and all the women in the cities, and those who are in the unorganized corners, those who are not listening to us but whom my voice shall reach. We are going to make our respect as the women we are compulsory, even if they make their sad little face. Because there are still many parts of Mexico where we, the women, are being mistreated, despised, exploited. They say that we are not any good, that we are worthless, that we do not have any rights. But today the time has come, we are going to do it, it will be compulsory that they respect us. I am not scolding them, listen carefully, it is called obligation, respect for us as the women we are. And so I am sending you very special wishes from my revolutionary sisters of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee, from the Mexican southeast and from all of Mexico, where there are also zapatistas, because they are everywhere. Gracias, sisters.