Slavery Abolished 157 Years Ago But Are Africans in Colombia Really Free?

May 18, 2008

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Slavery Abolished 157 Years Ago But Are Africans in Colombia Really Free?

Mr. Joe Beasley, Human Service Director, Antioch Baptist Church North, President African Ascension and Southern Regional Director, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition will depart Atlanta today for Bogotá,Colombia. Mr. Beasley has been invited to the official launching of Presidential Decree 4181 created for the advancement of the Afrocolombian population.

Slavery was abolished in that nation 157 years ago but the vast majority of the descendants still languish on the margins of that society. This commission will evaluate the Afrocolombian life conditions and present its findings to the federal government with recommendations to overcome historical barriers that has relegated them to second class citizenship in the nation their ancestors help to build during over 200 years of chattel slavery.

Mr. Beasley was in Colombia in February of this year at the invitation of United States Agency for International Development. One consistent complaint echoed by Afrocolombian was their exclusion from employment in the nation’s banks. A visit was made to Citibank in Cartagena – a city comprised of a population approaching 80% Afrocolombian . According to local management two Afrocolombian out of a staff of 20 was employed at that branch.

This disparity was reported to Mr. Vikam Pandit, CEO, Citigroup. Citigroup acknowledged the disparity and pledged to help remedy the situation by providing opportunities for education and training for Afrocolombian which will move them closer to “first class citizenship.”

Mr. Beasley believes that with the steps being initiated by the Colombian government, coupled with a commitment by multi-national corporations such as Citigroup and Coca Cola some meaningful strides can be taken to move Afrocolombians into the mainstream of that society.

Posted by Staff