Andrés Buriticá Restrepo .
United States Hegemony and its Influence on Paisa Culture.
The United States seems destined by Providence to .
plague America with misery n the name of liberty.
---Simon BolÃvar.
The stigma of Paisas--natives of MedellÃn and its surroundings--being involved in drug trafficking has been ongoing since their victory of the Colombian-Cuban drug war in Miami during the seventies. In the streets of Colombia the story is different. Millions of citizens are haunted by memories of homicide, kidnapping and extortion. Colombians fear narcotraficantes because they have witnessed over and over how they betray their countrymen to achieve their purposes. To avoid crime and violence Colombians have protested, formed paramilitary groups against the narcotraficantes and thousands have given up their lives. Colombian citizens, including Paisas, are not in agreement with the trafficking of drugs. Most unfortunately, the effort of the majority of Colombians to end this war is overshadowed by the wrongdoing of a few. United States hegemony has ultimately shifted the blame to the oppressed country. Many Colombians feel guilty because of the constant criticism they receive f!.
rom the United States. And many Colombians have paid for the narcotraficantes' evils. The country has been penalized and put down by the international community. But the highest price hasn't been paid.
in blood. The children have paid it. A stigma of guilt and inferiority is automatically enforced upon every child that is born in Colombia. This disgraceful process of changing ideas about oneself to be replaced by ideas from a hegemonic state is called transculturation. (Spitta 3). Colombian transculturation has occurred on two levels: Colombians believe they are responsible for the drug consumption in the United States and they blame themselves for the violence the country suffers because of it.
By 1500, Spanish explorers had sailed along Colombia's Carribean Coast. ... Gran Colombia only lasted a short time. ... Colombia lost Panama in 1903. ... Colombians called this period La Violencia (The Violence). About 200,000 Colombians were killed during La Violencia. ...
The Colombian and American governments should increase their response to The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). ... Indian rights activists on Venezuelan territory after it kidnapped them in Colombia. ... The question is, will the United States now deepen its involvement in Colombia? ... Daniel Garca-Pena, a peace commissioner under a previous Colombian government, says the FARC may believe that provoking more American involvement in Colombia could give its cause more national legitimacy. But although some Colombian lawmakers have denounced the prospect of more American interv...
Colombia's Geography Colombia is currently in the northwest corner of South America. ... Colombia's Modern Government Colombia's Government is a republic. ... Colombia's Main Cities Bogota is one of Colombia's major cities and it is also Colombia's capital. ... Colombia's third main city is Cali. ... It is located in western Colombia. ...
For example: Business cards given to Colombians should be printed with English on one side and Spanish on the other. When handing a business card to a Colombian, it should be presented with the Spanish side facing toward the person. Avoiding discussing terrorism, politics and illegal drugs with Colombians would be wise. ... Colombia is a world wide renown producer of emeralds and coffee so discussing that would be a good choice of conversation. ... Colombians are very formal and traditional people. ...
Petersburg Times article dated November 5, 2000 "Rising Violence Precede Plan Colombia'- it was reported that heavy fighting has erupted throughout Colombia between paramilitary units of the Colombian army and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known as the FARC. ... The U.S. should help Colombia end its civil turmoil peacefully and terminate the illicit drug trade. ... If the peace talks fail, Pastrana's only option is to surrender Colombia to the rebels or order the Colombian army to fight the rebel movement. ... Because of the lack of modernized weapons and...
The Republic of Colombia is located in South America and was founded in the year 1819 as the republic of Gran Colombia. Gran Colombia consisted of present day Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela. ... In 1863 after a civil war had broken out Gran Colombia became known as the Republic of Colombia, and has remained that since. ... Many Colombians have made great contributions to culture. ... The national sport of Colombia is soccer. ...
But according to Gustavo Wilches on his book "La vida en Colombia" (Life in Colombia) life for people in Colombia is as normal and orderly as in any other country despite all the problems it is going through. (54). ... Colombia has significant racial integration. ... Dydynski reports that "The great majority of Colombians are Roman Catholics" . ... Colombia is bordered by Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Colombia has a number of islands. ...
