In recent days, the various pronouncements by various political sectors on the subject of racism have caused a stir, following the controversial statements of the singer Marbelle, who made a rather grotesque reference to the vice-presidential formula of Gustavo Petro, Francia Márquez, in this case, both the social networks such as the co-supporters of the Caucan leader, called the artist vulgar and disrespectful, because in the 21st century it is considered unimaginable that they predominate in this type of racist discourse. Faced with this issue, the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) also went out in step to reject these acts and invite healthy coexistence.
The EOM noted that such acts by public figures, citizens and political sectors constitute a concept of symbolic violence that marginalizes both leaders and candidates. In this case, this entity declares its forceful rejection of sexist, class-based and racist comments, which denigrate and question the guarantee of the fundamental rights of all citizens in the national territory, regardless of their ideology.
At the same time, the Observation Mission pointed out that, as it is a public statement, these messages are replicated by society itself, revictimizing and further expanding their reach, it should be noted that users of social networks have taken sides in this dispute, both in defense of Márquez, and in expanding the speech by the popular music artist.
In relation to the expression “King Kong” used by Marbelle, the EOM explained that this act is configured as a type of violence, which can even lead to acts of physical violation, in this regard, in its statement the organization summarized: “This type of expression discriminates and stigmatizes on the basis of gender, ethnicity and class, which represent forms of symbolic violence in politics. These actions hinder the political participation of women and racialized persons, among other sectors of the population, and reproduce stereotypes that legitimize other forms of violence, such as physical violence.” .
As a lengthened history, Colombia has been characterized as a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. This, in the present elections, can be transformed into a historic milestone, taking into account that both candidacies and vice-presidential formulas are constituted by significant social diversity, which demonstrates the advancement of Colombian politics, that is why the EOM invites respect for these candidates, who in the vast majority of cases are part of the historically segregated communities in the nation.
The spread of hate speech delegitimizes healthy debate and the establishment of democracy itself, according to the Mission, this is the opportunity to change the racial paradigm in the country, noting: “This displaces the ideas and proposals of candidates who must be the fundamental axis that mobilizes debates. All the more so given that these elections demonstrate progress in the political representation of historically excluded groups, since for the first time there are multiple candidates of Afro-Colombians as candidates for the vice-presidency. These presidential elections are an opportunity to embrace the diversity of the Colombian people into politics.” .
Finally, the director of the Electoral Observation Mission, Alejandra Barrios, pointed out that such discriminatory manifestations become an obstacle to the political exercise, both of women and of racialized persons, such statements seek to create stereotypes and proportionally harm the very communities that they seek to be represented, finally the EOM invites both political actors and citizens themselves, to reject hate speech and promote spaces of tolerance and coexistence.
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