Bolivians Muster against Racism

Prensa Latina reports that "Bolivian social organizations began a crusade against all forms of racial discrimination and for the country''s unity, the media reported on Monday.

"According to Radio Patria Nueva station, the Afro-Bolivian Center for Integral and Community Development (CADIC) and the Afro-Bolivian Saya Cultural Movement (MOCUSABOL), with collaboration by other national institutions, are among the entities that have joined the campaign.

"Organizers asserted that the project is intended to eradicate racist expressions and actions in Bolivia, where 36 diverse ethnic and cultural groups live."

Afro-Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba honored in Newark
By Karen Juanita Carrillo 

On May 29, 2009 the Afro-Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba traveled to Newark, New Jersey and was honored by the non-profit Norma Lozano Jackson Foundation (http://NLJF.org) for her work as a peace negotiator in war-torn Colombia.

Senator Piedad Córdoba with Dr Norma Jackson of the NLJ Foundation.
Photo credit:  Karen Juanita Carrillo 

Senator Córdoba is a lawyer by trade and as  Dr. Jackson said in her introduction, “Senator Cordoba is recognized for her tireless efforts to obtain the inclusion of Colombian minorities in all aspects of society... The humanitarian agreement that would allow the release of all kidnapped individuals presently in the jungles of Colombia is part of the Senator’s daily struggle. She strongly opposes a military solution to the armed conflict in Colombia.

Jackson added that, “Senator Cordoba has been the victim of many attempts against her life, was kidnapped twice and forced into exile in Canada for criticizing the long armed conflict in Colombia.”

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In this video, journalist David Olmos visits the Afro Colombian communities of Nueva Vida and Nueva Esperanza in Chocó.  After being displaced by the fighting between the Colombian military and guerrilla forces, these communities are re-establishing their lives on new land -- and realizing they've been cheated out of their ancestral lands.