Anna Roig Walk of Pride

Cover ............ page 1Family Tree ............ page 2Personal Narrative ............ page 3,4,5,6Q and A interview ............ page 6,7,8,9,10Reflection ............ page11Bibliography ............ page 12

My Family Tree

Personal Narrative

Walk of Pride

“Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed. There were thousands of people

clustered in Plaza Cataluña. Shove, bump, squish, I was trying to

make a path for my father and me. My eyes could not stop darting

from side to side. I saw almost every person grasping on the dry wood

supporting Catalan flags. “Visca Cataluña! Independencia!” Live

Catalonia! Independence! I heard on my left side. I have been walking

for about an hour now and there are sweat drops sliding down my

forehead. Reaching down to my waist to grab my Catalan flag, I pull it

off and wave it around. The gleaming red and yellow stripes on each

flag made me feel proud. Seeing the single but strong standing white

star, reflected how we are so determined to gather 1.5 million people

in one place to support our stance for independence.

Since it was still warm out with a slight breeze giving me goose

bumps, I was walking around in my green espadrilles, blue jeans and

yellow t-shirt. I saw everyone in groups of families. I left my son,

Lucas, at home because he would get tired of walking so much. Also, I

wouldn’t have to deal with the 6 year-old whine, “Mama, estoy muy

cansado y tengo hambre y

tengo que hacer pipi.”

Mom, I am really tired and

hungry and I have to go

pee. I regret doing that,

though, because there

were children of all ages. It

would have been an

unforgettable memory for

Lucas. When my dad

started to talk to me, I

wasn’t capable of detecting

what he was trying to mention with all the cheering in the background.

I know this is going to be an emotional march, I thought to myself.

I felt crammed, as the road was not very wide. Standing shoulder

to shoulder with everyone didn’t make me nervous. I turn around and

there was a person right next to me. As I turn the other way, there is a

little girl in front of me, so I can see over her head. Noticing people like

my father beginning to talk to strangers about how they felt towards

this whole march was surprising. The bond kept excelling upwards

amongst everyone during the next couple of tiring hours.

I hear a man talking on a microphone. I turn towards the stage

and listen to what the tall, middle-aged man had to say. He started

talking about why everyone is here today and highlights, “Mira a todos

los Catalanes que nos estan apoyando desde el extranjero.” Look at

all of those Catalans who are supporting us from different places, as a

video is shown on a massive screen. I got heart warmed when I saw

Pep Guardiola, Barcelona’s former soccer coach, up on the big

screen. Barcelona Soccer Club is a source of pride for Cataluña and is

symbolic like its flag of its culture and sense of independence. The

crowd suddenly went silent when he announced from New York,” Si, a

la independencia”. Yes, to independence. I was moved to see that he

is one more of our community supporting us all the way from there. A

loud synchronized clap started to rise from the crowd. I pulled my two

hands from my sides and started moving them in out, in out, joining

the vast group as tears rolled down my cheeks.

Step after step, I was thinking about how the three to four hour

walk made everyone gain the confidence that we all belong to a

community that is democratic, intelligent and sensible. Tying it in into

my own situation, it gives me the security that my son is growing up in

a safe place. I am very glad that the Catalans have become more

aware of the spirit of community we have a with this situation we are in

right now. Them understanding that we have the obligation to defend

what we consider is our culture and our rights makes us stronger.

Q and A I asked during the interview

What were the senses like? (smell, hear, see, feel)

The experience of being in the march was a very emotional one. You could hear the chants of the people, the opinions and conversations of the individuals as we walked, it’s difficult to explain the sensations you have when amongst so many people but without feeling uneasy about it. It’s being aware there is so much life, there is so many people around us in life, each one with their own stories, groups of friends and individuals.

 What were people saying?

 In general people were obviously talking about Catalunya, but mostly about their emotions. About why they felt they had to be there to support what they consider are their rights and culture, about what future they want for their children, etc. Because it was a march driven by a sentiment of unity and also it was such a peaceful march, it was not all only talking about politics it was also talking about emotions.

Did anyone disagree towards the event?

 Of course there are people in Catalunya that do not support this initiative of independence. They simply did not turn up in the march. There were absolutely no incidents in the march, no arguments, no disagreements or fights.

What year did this take place?

 2012, September 11th.

What were you wearing? (I’m asking this to make more detail in my piece)

It was still warm. I knew we would have to walk a lot, so I was wearing comfortable sandals, jeans and a t-shirt. I was also wearing a flag of Catalunya wrapped around the waist. Almost everyone was wearing/carrying a flag, a t-shirt with Catalunya on it, posters or holdups.

What time did this happen?

The march was due to start officially at 18:00 pm. But since there were many people coming into the city from other villages/towns outside Barcelona in buses and trains, you could already see many people walking around on the streets of Barcelona with flags, t-shirts with messages on them, etc. Some people were coming from towns 2 hour drive away. We left home at 17:00 and the streets were already packed by then

Why did you only go with your dad and no one else?

I did not take Lucas with me because I thought he was too small and would get too tired. But afterwards I perhaps regretted it a little seeing the huge amount of children of all ages out on the street too.

What do you think my small moment could be from this story? (what the story is going to be about; small moment) (moment you remember most; details)

Not quite sure what you mean with this. I think for me what was most significant of this moment was that for the first time in my life I felt a true sense of belonging to a large community and one that has values

that I share. It’s a bit like when we have the big family reunions and everyone is happy and enjoying it, it kind of makes you feel good right? Nakes you feel good because you feel you belong to all the people there and you share something in common with them of course, because they are your family, there is an emotional bond and also a set of values and memories we share…, that gives that good feeling huh? Well the same it was to a different level obviously, but that good sensation that you’re amongst “your” people.

How did you change as a person as a result of this event? Why?I was very impressed to see so many people on the street marching with the Catalan flags, singing songs and discussing their opinions in such a calm and civilized manner. It made me feel proud to see that such a huge amount of people could be out on the street protesting but with no tensions.

What did you gain/ lose?What I gained from it is the confidence that I belong to a community that is democratic, intelligent and sensible. It gives me the security that my son is growing in a safe place.

How did the event affect you / your community? Why?The event has had a great impact not only within Spain but also internationally. The Catalans have become more aware of the spirit of community, we have a greater sense of unity and also understood we have the obligation to defend what we consider is our culture and rights. On the other side, Spain I think has also become more aware than ever of the dissatisfaction of the Catalans and that they have to take it into account to the degree that it might mean the constitution will need to be amended.

What is your most vivid / strongest memory of the event/ time?Everybody chanting together included children, youngsters and elderly people. Such a number of people at once is very impressive. Think like when you go to a music concert the usual amount is 50.000-80.000 people that attend and you know how it feels when that amount of people are singing along to a song, well imagine if that happens with 1.500.000 people!!!

How old were you when you experienced this? 41 years old

If you could go back in time, how would you have changed it?I would not change it. I think it was a good decision to go out and march even though we had to walk over 4 hours!!

Did you choose to participate in this event or were you forced to?I chose to.

Were you prepared / were you expecting this event to happen?Previous to that day it was said that there would be a large amount of people going but never thought it would be that many.

Did you like anything about the event?For me again the most important is that it was an example of democracy and peace.

Nore Q and A for climaxWhen Guardiola showed up on the screenFeelings built upNessage of supportsImportant Catalan figures living abroad were present via the screen.Crammed, road not very wide. Even though so many people were packed together, I didn’t feel claustrophobic. Everybody was calm and

relaxed. Infused by excitement of everyone else. The bond was very strong. Everything was very emotional. The power of everyone shouting in unity showed how powerful we were.People of all ages were attending the march.

How long has this event been going on for?3 hours we were there

What did Guardiola say?From New York to let you know that I am one more of your community supporting you all the way from here. The most important sense was hearing. You ended up talking to people you didn’t even know.

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Catalan_independence_demonstrationThe number of participants was estimated at about 1.5 million people according to Barcelona's Nunicipal Police and Catalonia's Ninistry of the Interior, and about 2 million according to the organizers, while the delegation of the Spanish government in Catalonia estimated the number at 600,000.Nany newspapers and other news agencies described it as a "historic" demonstration and considered it to be the biggest protest march ever held in Catalonia since the restoration of democracy in Spain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19564640Tens of thousands of people poured into the city waving the region's independence flag and brandishing the colors red and yellow. This year's march aimed to be the biggest ever - and a protest against the Spanish government's tax laws. The huge volume of people overwhelmed the mobile phone network, which shut down for hours as a result, reports say.

http://world.time.com/2012/09/11/barcelona-warns-madrid-pay-up-or-catalonia-leaves-spain/Sept. 11 always brings Barcelonans into the streets to dance the sardana, sing for their enemies’ blood in the anthem “Els Segadors” and chant political slogans in celebration of their national holiday, the Diada de Catalunya. But this year, a new intensity colored the Catalans’ nationalist fervor. The independence movement’s flag bearing a white star against a blue triangle outnumbered the region’s official yellow-and-red-striped standard.

http://www.theworld.org/2012/09/million-man-march-for-catalonians-independence/A woman named Rosa, listening in, got excited. “We’re sick of Spain. It’s over, Spain, Good Bye!” she said.

Reflection Working on this project helped me learn about my family’s history and given me a better sense of my identity by learning something important about my family that I had no idea about. I think doing a project like this is important because we get to learn how to write in a different style. Also, connecting with our family member and talking to them more about what we are doing and about school. The part of this project that I enjoyed the most was probably writing the Personal Narrative because we got to be a person and express their feelings in their way. One problem that I had during the project was time different in between China and Spain. Sometimes when I could Skype or call, my Aunt couldn’t.I think I have grown as a writer because I know more parts of conventions like how to punctuate dialogue. Also, I learned how to use my own voice in my piece. One piece of advice I would give for future students as they begin this project is do your homework every night and don’t leave everything until the last minute because it piles up and you start stressing out.