“They called me calling me King Kong”: Francia Márquez denounced an episode of racism against him

“While I was having lunch I received a call, answered it, asked who you need and they answered that 'King Kong '”, this is the story that the current vice-presidential candidate for the Historical Pact, Francia Márquez (1980), shared at a proselytizing event in Boyacá.

Márquez, who has experienced other episodes of this type during the heat of the electoral contest, received support from the auditorium where he presented the government plan with which the Historical Pact competes for the presidency of the Republic.

The vice presidential candidate assured that this type of demonstration “does not discourage her”, so she continues her work in the regions to win the vote of women as well as that of the social groups that accompany the Historical Pact.

He added: “That doesn't take away my strength. That doesn't discourage me. Of course, that hurts, that hurts, that hurts, because racism kills, just as machismo kills in this country. The question is what was that person who was behind the phone thinking. That person is damaged and hurt in his being”, statements that, again, provoked acclaim and cheers from the audience.

The unfortunate accusations against Francia Márquez began last March in a crossing of statements between the candidate and the so-called “queen of the technocarrilera”, Marbelle, joined, in an example of friendly fire from her own political sector, Gustavo Bolivar.

The singer referred in racist terms against Marquez, whom she pointed out of “King Kong” on a poster featuring her and Gustavo Petro. It should be noted that the candidate's response was measured, which would have amounted to the end of the controversy.

However, the senator and writer, Gustavo Bolivar, third in the controversy by sharing an image of the animal with “Ann Darrow”, the protagonist of the 20th century film classic. For Bolivar, Marquez and Marbelle, according to the image, they had to make peace.

“Dear Marbelle, when I am vice-president, I will make them respect you and give you all the love that you have lacked” was the text that Bolívar shared with the image in which the fictional character holds the protagonist of the film.

The opposite happened: not only did Marbelle take advantage of the controversy to attack Márquez for several days, but also managed to get Bolivar to recall his intention and delete the image from his Twitter account in the face of the widespread rejection of his publication.

In this scenario, criticism from another Afro-Colombian, influencer Miguel Polo Polo —who didn't get the votes needed to win the seat for this sector—called her “impoverished black” because of the scandals received by Francia Márquez between 2018 and 2020.

In context | “He wants a black people who are ragged, resentful, bitter and beggar for alms from the State”: Miguel Polo Polo criticizes Francia Márquez - Infobae

“Francia Márquez's 'impoverished negra, 'what does she call herself. Cackle that the State has Afro people oppressed and in inequality and that is why they wake up late to not have breakfast. Do you think that receiving more than 4 million in subsidies from the State seems a lot of oppression to you? Hypocrite! ”, said Polo Polo on his Twitter account.

This time, Gustavo Bolivar third in a thoughtful way to defend Francia Márquez, without falling into double directions or misunderstandings:

“That a person who aspires to the vice-presidency of a country is so poor that he requires state aid, rather than criticism, should receive praise. As they are used to being governed by elites, mostly corrupt, they are terrified of a candidate who has Sisbén,” said the elected senator.

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