Introduction

In the late 1950s, the largest and most vigorous popular mobilizations of the century were registered in Mexico; Fidel entered Havana; Che was a source of inspiration across Latin America. Reflecting the spirit of the sixties, people like us across the world wanted to follow this path—to change everything. Much of the inspiration is drawn from the Zapatistas and their commitment to a “world in which many worlds flourish”; in which a recognition of the inherent dignity of all peoples, along with the tradition of changing traditions in a traditional way offer pathways beyond all our contemporary horrors. Recognizing the chaos and nightmares that were upon us, three decades ago the Zapatistas began clearly warning us of the spread of violence, the reemergence of hunger and misery, the exacerbation of inequality and of authoritarianism, with horrific impunity. Today, the syndemic intensifies the myriad tensions and challenges overwhelming most people on the planet while forging a climate of fear and despair.