The national intellectual production on the features that characterize us as a people, as well as the contributions of different daily manifestations, would allow, once again, to try to resemble what we Ecuadorians are. On this occasion, I use these elements, together with personal criteria, to try to understand the importance of the link between the behavior of citizens and local culture characterized by social insecurity, uncertainty about the future, moral degradation, but also the attempt – always present, congratulations! – to improve as a society and get out of the decay of which we are a part.

An age of despair

Ecuadorian literature, so important and rich, offers us a view of the different ways of existence of the diverse population of our country. I mention only a sample of the names of national writers who analyze our cultural characteristics: Jorge Icaza, César Dávila Andrade, Jorge Carrera Andrade, Demetrio Aguilera Malta, Pablo Palacio, Luis Monsalve Pozo, Eliécer Cárdenas, among others. I also evoke the work of Leopold Benitez Vinueza, Jorge Enrique Adoum and Osvaldo Hurtado, who describe the peculiarities of the way of being that represents us as a people. Finally, always as a link to some of the criteria issued about our idiosyncrasies, I recall the painful opinions expressed by Bolívar in his letter to Santander of January 7, 1824.

Under the influence of these references and impressed by an increasingly clear awareness of my own reality and Ecuadorian modernity, I think about the relevance of some cultural aspects described by part of the Ecuadorian intelligentsia: racism, exploitation, hypocrisy, cynicism, envy, lack of social commitment, arrogance, betrayal, with the intention of understanding its impact and relationship with the unfortunate current reality of Ecuador, characterized by poverty, corruption, insecurity, lack of job opportunities, defiant mediocrity, pain and suffering.

democracy in crisis

The effort in the search for civic transcendence could, therefore, be the main goal for many…

I believe that the characteristics that are part of the negative side of our society and that are widespread in many public and private spaces are precisely those that push us into despair and hopelessness.

Altruistic, supportive, cooperative, noble behavior with respect, devoted to others, with truthfulness, with civil action that respects the law and social norms designed for adequate coexistence, which undoubtedly exist among us and are the basis of the best that we have built as a society must be strengthened to stop having secondary role in relation to others who represent the quintessence of underdevelopment, insecurity and decadence.

The effort in the search for civic transcendence could, therefore, be the main goal for many, but also for those who have more knowledge and opportunities, who for the same reasons would be under pressure to build themselves as patriots in the service of improving life conditions in our society. (OR)