Introduction
Both Colombia as a country and the whole Colombian ethnic group each have a slew of stereotypes to conquer when dealing with other culture groups. One of the more popular and beautiful cities, Medellin, is often portrayed as a dangerous place to visit—full of drug cartels, kidnappings, and homicides. The popularity of cocaine and the illegal drug trade have both left the uninformed public with the opinion that the citizens of Colombia are all drug fanatics and/or murderers. While strong, united family values exist and there is a solid drive for education shaping the workforce, Colombian culture has remained a relative mystery to the people too nervous to experience Colombia on their own. As tourism to the main cities of Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin continue to rise, it is important to learn more about what makes the Colombians so exciting and Colombia so attractive. This ethnic research paper will delve deeper into Colombian culture, with the expectation of showing the various qualities of the people and of the country.
Drug Culture
During the World Cup, Dutch actress Nicolette Van Dam, a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, posted a very inappropriate, fake picture of members of the Colombian soccer team on their knees snorting white powder—meant to be cocaine—as the referee was spraying it onto the field. The public outcry, both immediate and definitive, could be heard around the world. The proud Colombians, tired of the incessant drug related stereotypes, demanded that Twitter remove Ms. Van Dam’s account as well as have her barred from UNICEF. By the next day, UNICEF had publicly apologized to the Colombian people and had tendered Van Dam’s firing. (UNICEF, 2014) For generations, the Colombians have fought the immense drug trade in their country, but with one Tweet—everyone was reminded of the problem that has plagued Colombia for years. In the midst of Colombia’s violent history during the late 20th century, different government parties came to power only to be quickly and forcefully removed from power. It was the end of the National Front in 1974 when drug trafficking began gaining popularity. Marijuana was an income boost to the poor, growing disparity in the country. Soon, however, cocaine took the marijuana’s place. Drug lords were bringing in a huge amount of money through the new drug, so they efficiently made the switch to trafficking cocaine. The cocaine sales brought in huge revenues to Colombia. People were getting jobs, too, in the factories. No matter the political opposition that the legal drug trade combatted, it always came out on top. Along with having all the power, the cartels were dangerous, violent, and merciless. (Britannica, 2014) The Colombian ethnic group has spent years (over thirty), money, and blood trying to break this drug trafficking ring from being centered in Colombia. This is a fight they are proud of. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by the Colombian government in an attempt to eradicate the nation of its cocaine trafficking problem. In 2000, President Bill Clinton proposed a $1.3 billion package for the Colombian defense to help combat internal cartel forces. President Andres Pastrana of Colombia then chose to allocate $68.5 million to a program that would show Colombian farmers the benefits of cotton and coffee, instead of cocaine. An overwhelming amount, $519 million, was added to defense spending to help fight cartels. (Absurdity of Drug War, 2000) While so much capital has been spent on the brutal drug war, even more costly has been the human lives taken. All the fighting has cost Colombia dearly in human capital as well. Colombian journalist, Adriana Aristizabal, writes in her article, “Colombians are Tired of an Age Old stereotype,” that the war on drugs has …show more content…
A report done by Channel 4 News in Colombia brings to light the fear cartels instill into mothers across the country. A research journal from 2001, called “Sun, Sex, and Gold: Tourism and Sex Work in the Caribbean,” details a study of thirteen young girls who were forced into prostitution as a means to survive. Being from a poor background makes it extremely difficult in Colombia to get out of dangerous, hopeless situations. A sixteen year old female prostitute was interviewed about the unfair position she had been left in at the
Both Colombia as a country and the whole Colombian ethnic group each have a slew of stereotypes to conquer when dealing with other culture groups. One of the more popular and beautiful cities, Medellin, is often portrayed as a dangerous place to visit—full of drug cartels, kidnappings, and homicides. The popularity of cocaine and the illegal drug trade have both left the uninformed public with the opinion that the citizens of Colombia are all drug fanatics and/or murderers. While strong, united family values exist and there is a solid drive for education shaping the workforce, Colombian culture has remained a relative mystery to the people too nervous to experience Colombia on their own. As tourism to the main cities of Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin continue to rise, it is important to learn more about what makes the Colombians so exciting and Colombia so attractive. This ethnic research paper will delve deeper into Colombian culture, with the expectation of showing the various qualities of the people and of the country.
Drug Culture
During the World Cup, Dutch actress Nicolette Van Dam, a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, posted a very inappropriate, fake picture of members of the Colombian soccer team on their knees snorting white powder—meant to be cocaine—as the referee was spraying it onto the field. The public outcry, both immediate and definitive, could be heard around the world. The proud Colombians, tired of the incessant drug related stereotypes, demanded that Twitter remove Ms. Van Dam’s account as well as have her barred from UNICEF. By the next day, UNICEF had publicly apologized to the Colombian people and had tendered Van Dam’s firing. (UNICEF, 2014) For generations, the Colombians have fought the immense drug trade in their country, but with one Tweet—everyone was reminded of the problem that has plagued Colombia for years. In the midst of Colombia’s violent history during the late 20th century, different government parties came to power only to be quickly and forcefully removed from power. It was the end of the National Front in 1974 when drug trafficking began gaining popularity. Marijuana was an income boost to the poor, growing disparity in the country. Soon, however, cocaine took the marijuana’s place. Drug lords were bringing in a huge amount of money through the new drug, so they efficiently made the switch to trafficking cocaine. The cocaine sales brought in huge revenues to Colombia. People were getting jobs, too, in the factories. No matter the political opposition that the legal drug trade combatted, it always came out on top. Along with having all the power, the cartels were dangerous, violent, and merciless. (Britannica, 2014) The Colombian ethnic group has spent years (over thirty), money, and blood trying to break this drug trafficking ring from being centered in Colombia. This is a fight they are proud of. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by the Colombian government in an attempt to eradicate the nation of its cocaine trafficking problem. In 2000, President Bill Clinton proposed a $1.3 billion package for the Colombian defense to help combat internal cartel forces. President Andres Pastrana of Colombia then chose to allocate $68.5 million to a program that would show Colombian farmers the benefits of cotton and coffee, instead of cocaine. An overwhelming amount, $519 million, was added to defense spending to help fight cartels. (Absurdity of Drug War, 2000) While so much capital has been spent on the brutal drug war, even more costly has been the human lives taken. All the fighting has cost Colombia dearly in human capital as well. Colombian journalist, Adriana Aristizabal, writes in her article, “Colombians are Tired of an Age Old stereotype,” that the war on drugs has …show more content…
A report done by Channel 4 News in Colombia brings to light the fear cartels instill into mothers across the country. A research journal from 2001, called “Sun, Sex, and Gold: Tourism and Sex Work in the Caribbean,” details a study of thirteen young girls who were forced into prostitution as a means to survive. Being from a poor background makes it extremely difficult in Colombia to get out of dangerous, hopeless situations. A sixteen year old female prostitute was interviewed about the unfair position she had been left in at the