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Despite what you may hear about the current crisis happening in Colombia, it was not CAUSED by the pandemic, it was exacerbated by it. Please understand that it is a part of a global legacy of colonization and white supremacy.
A thread #SOSColombia
A thread #SOSColombia
U.S.-based Colombians have A LOT of feelings right now cuz while we don’t want to contribute to the toxic stereotypes that exist about our home country, we also can’t & shouldn’t remain silent.
Family members in Colombia have shared with me that basic necessities are running out, like food, milk, eggs, & gas, prices are skyrocketing.
People are locking themselves in their homes for safety, & yet still corrupt government agencies continue to instigate & stoke violence.
People are locking themselves in their homes for safety, & yet still corrupt government agencies continue to instigate & stoke violence.
The “anti-riot” arm of the security forces known as ESMAD have been documented using lethal force against civilians, peaceful protesters, & even posing as protesters to instigate violence & commit destruction. https://twitter.com/citeblackwomen/status/1390475000650641415
25+ deaths have been reported, 800+ injuries, and 75+ disappearances.
Unfortunately, repression & censorship have been prevalent by the govt. & social media outlets, making it difficult to amplify up-to-date information.
Unfortunately, repression & censorship have been prevalent by the govt. & social media outlets, making it difficult to amplify up-to-date information.
To this day, Colombia is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world as a consequence of the significant disparities that exist.
Some estimate that as much as 42% of the Colombian population currently live under the poverty line. http://unperiodico.unal.edu.co/pages/detail/despite-economic-growth-colombia-continues-to-be-one-of-the-most-unequal-countries-in-the-world/
Some estimate that as much as 42% of the Colombian population currently live under the poverty line. http://unperiodico.unal.edu.co/pages/detail/despite-economic-growth-colombia-continues-to-be-one-of-the-most-unequal-countries-in-the-world/
This reality is even more so true for AfroColombian & Indigenous people in Colombia, who are systematically targeted by state sanctioned violence & are the most heavily impacted by economic, health, & educational disparities. BLM is a global movement. #LasVidasNegrasImportan
However, Colombia, like other parts of the world, heavily engages in a historical amnesia by denying its role in genocide and enslavement that produced the conditions we see today.
A part of this anti-black history, is Colombia’s myth of a racial democracy which has attempted to erase & deny its AfroColombian citizenry, & in effect cover up its history of racist violence & injustice committed against communities in the margins. https://www.dejusticia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/fi_name_recurso_204.pdf
In fact, Colombia has a record for repression & committing assassinations against human rights activists, especially targeting Indigenous, Black, & trans women & people. “More than 450 human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia since 2016” https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/20/amicus-brief-killings-human-rights-defenders-colombia
Colombia needs your attention. They have stopped the latest tax reform that would significantly harm low income communities, but there is more work to be done. Bear witness to a people fighting to break free from injustice & oppression.
¡El pueblo no se rinde, carajo!
¡El pueblo no se rinde, carajo!
Fundraising efforts: https://twitter.com/redcondors/status/1390292922646544386
