Racism Againt AfroColombians

As I said previously, I was born in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. It is a beautiful city with some of the most perfect beaches of the world. Still, it saddens me that my hometown is an excellent example of the racism presented in Colombia. But not only there, I would bet is the same in at least Medellin, Bogota, and Barranquilla, and I’ll explain why

I watched a video of a guy talking about his experience in Medellin as a black man, and most of the things he said were really nice and all but it catches my attention what he said about the population. That if you walk on touristic and commercial areas it will be difficult to find Afro Colombians in comparison of the amount you’ll find in the center of the city AKA the poorest area.

It is interesting because I was there 2 months ago and I know it’s true. I also know that is EXACTLY the same here in Barranquilla and it has a totally different level in Cartagena. There, about only the 20% of the city is evident for tourist from even national cities. The other 80% composed mostly of black people, is living in terrible conditions of poverty and it’s almost hidden to visitors as if they were the filth you wouldn’t want to show to a guest.

But why is this racism? Well, let’s take what the guy of the video said: most of the population here is black or at least not white. Then why is more strange to find them on commercial areas? Some people have commented me by experience that is easier for you to get a job if your skin isn’t too dark, even here in Colombia. I’ve heard an administrator say before that is better for economy to hire white people for jobs that require contact with clients because they look “cleaner”.  And I’m not even going to start with how many black representatives exist in our politics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWBnGl0lo9s