Ground Report

As December approaches, one should be weary of the date December 21, 2012 or 12/21/12. So far, this has significance as it is the alleged date of “doomsday” according to the Mayan calendar. In short, we’re supposed to be expecting the world to come to an end on that date. However, the thought of the world ending, let alone on that date, has been met with skepticism and rejection. Apparently, the Mayans themselves don’t believe that the world is coming to an end on that date. The Mayans of Guatemala weighed in on the use of the Mayan calendar and had their views on things.

The Mayans do not seem at all that pleased with how the Mayan Calendar and the “Mayan doomsday” were interpreted. In fact, the Mayans have started speaking out against it. They claim that the doomsday theory is just an effort to profit off of inaccurate interpretations.

Felipe Gomez recently spoke with the French news outlet Agence France-Presse (AFP). He is the leader of a group of Mayans called the Oxlaljuj. According to the group, the doomsday talk is just an excuse to use misinterpretations as a means to drive up tourism. In short, they called up for an end of the myth of doomsday. According to them, the talk of doomsday was very disrespectful to the Mayan culture.

Instead of having anger directed to the westerners, the Mayans are directing anger at their own country’s government.

Gomez isn’t the only Mayan speaking out against the misinterpretation of the calendar. Christina Coc of Belize, who is of Mayan blood, dismisses the thought of the world ending on December 21. Coc explained that this “doomsday” is actually an end of a 5,000 year cycle.

In short, Mayans have given their two cents on the so called “end of the world.” The answer is “not happening” which seems to be unanimous.

Perhaps the Mayans could link up with some other people and exhibits to help them further debunk the myth. One example would be with the curators at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The museum is launching an exhibit to dispel the doomsday myth. Another example would be the students studying at Rutgers-Camden who have to study for their course in “The End of the World.”

According to one religion professor at the school, regardless of the possible apocalypse, they still have to study for their final exams. The professor explains that interest in thinking about the apocalypse has been within American pop culture for a long time.

Perhaps December 21, 2012 isn’t the end of the world. The Mayans have certainly weighed in on the subject and strongly disagree that the world’s going to end, let alone on that date. For the students at Rutgers-Camden, they still have to study for finals.