Racism, Bigotry, Hatred, Stereotyping by Colombians

Simon says on Jul 27, 2008, 18:43:

"I'm wondering if the Colombians have these feelings for other races, countries, or groups?"

No, but other races, countries, and groups sure have these feelings towards us!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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LPwill says on Jul 27, 2008, 18:50:

Such as who Simon?

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quantum says on Jul 27, 2008, 19:05:

Yeah, I know what u mean Simon. Colombians are singled out for mistreatment around the world theze daze, no matter if its the U.S. (worst) or the uU.K. or even Spain. Both Panama and Costa Rica punish Colombians too. I dont agree with it and Im sick of it and Im not Colombian. The concept of punishing the entire culture for a few bad apples (and there are some big bad apples) is repugnant. Unless el gobierno has leads, pistas, on some specific trouble maker, just let it go, leave everybody in peace. The Panamanian govt particularly is paranoid about Colombians, and if theres anybody they should be paranoid about its the Chinese. Theyre takin over. I may have to move to Santa >Marta just to get out of China......

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webmanco says on Jul 27, 2008, 19:16:

I for once don´t feel victimize, well maybe. I know colombians expresing exagerate love for Colombia tend to put down other countries, which does not help Colombia or colombians.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Simon says on Jul 27, 2008, 19:29:

Quantum,

Thanks for empathizing with us. Saludes.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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deathnova says on Jul 27, 2008, 20:28:

I've witnessed first hand the difference between treatment of those showing Colombia and U.S. passports in Panama by the same police officers.

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minina says on Jul 27, 2008, 20:40:

In Colombia like everywhere else in the world, there is racism and stereotypes. But like some of the guys said before me, Colombians are looked down everywhere else in the world, we have to deal with a lot of stigmas.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS...

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Joel y Luza says on Jul 27, 2008, 20:42:

rather interesting. my wife was just here in a 6 week visit, from Bogota. Not once was she looked down upon, (small town Idaho, with an over abundance of illegal Mexicans and Guatamalans). In fact, when I dropped her off at the airport, TSA allowed me to escort her to the plane, and they were very gracious to her.--So bigotry in the USA toward Colombians? Haven't seen it. Colombians toward me? I really haven't seen that either. I have read more cultural devisiveness and disdain for US gringos on this site than I have toward Colombians.

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miamimike says on Jul 28, 2008, 05:31:

Joel y Luza--Ditto for me here in Miami(still part of the USA last I knew) I haven't seen this mistreatment of Colombians others speak of and if it exists, its not large scale.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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quantum says on Jul 28, 2008, 05:56:

MiamiM,
Try the airports around the world, especially the U.S. and the borders in Central Amer and then tell me again its not large scale. Try being Colombian on yur way to Europe and having to pass thru an American airport without having a special american visa and see what u think. Its rediculous, and pervasive. Open your eyes people, if u can take them off the NFL boob tube action long enuff......

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MaFe says on Jul 28, 2008, 07:26:

Unfortunately I believe that this can be true of any race or country. When I lived in Europe I didn't have any problems until I would share with Europeans that I was Colombian, then the generalizations would start, and the never ending comments about our drugs and easy women...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Joel y Luza says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:01:

MaFe- What is it about Colombians not wanting to talk about Narcotrafficking and easy women? Seriously, My wife gets PISSED OFF when I talk about it. I remind her that it IS a Colombian national problem, just like inter-city poverty is in the US, and a symptom of our economies. If Colombia produces 80% of the coca in the world, well, you are going to get comments. It has nothing to do with discrimination, its the state of nature in Colombia, and also that last thing I read, the Colombian Government, and broader economy, as a whole, is doing a lot to reach out in the coca growing regions to suppress coca production. WHAT IT ISN"T IS JUDGEMENT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

Its pretty funny, that when my wife and her family travel through the US and Europe, people tend to have an enchanted curiosity with them being Colombianas and really open up to them.

Quantum, Not once has my wife's family had a bad experience coming to, or passing through the US or Panama, while traveling. EVERYODY is scrutinized in the US after 9-11, not just Colombians and Arabs. Hell Americian Citizen put up with shit, to some degree, at airports.

let me offer you this, If you feel the comments are inaccurate, use that point to educate and maybe that person will start to see Colombia through your eyes. I think what people perceive as difference, toward you, is actually a lack of knowledge. Use it to your advantage, turn on your Colombian charm, and be an embassador for your country

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romy says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:11:

I find American women the easiest... I think it's all perspective

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MaFe says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:16:

"Joel y Luza says on Jul 28 (today): flag

MaFe- What is it about Colombians not wanting to talk about Narcotrafficking and easy women? Seriously, My wife gets PISSED OFF when I talk about it. I remind her that it IS a Colombian national problem, just like inter-city poverty is in the US, and a symptom of our economies. If Colombia produces 80% of the coca in the world, well, you are going to get comments. It has nothing to do with discrimination, its the state of nature in Colombia, and also that last thing I read, the Colombian Government, and broader economy, as a whole, is doing a lot to reach out in the coca growing regions to suppress coca production. WHAT IT ISN"T IS JUDGEMENT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON."
=======

I am not in denial that those are facts about my people/country ...however, I do have a problem when a non Colombian ONLY concentrates on those two aspects of Colombia..
Also let me explain- once I would tell a European I was from Colombia I would hear the prostitution, the drugs, and the (you don't look Colombian crap) It is crap..because they would proceed by saying "ah yes Colombia has great sluts, we have heard they are great in bed!" The drug part...hey we make it...they are the fools who consume it..

There is a LOT more to Colombia than prostitution and drugs..
Why not mention how beautiful the country is; nature diversity, emeralds, gold, coffee, fruits, orchids, the feasts, the culture, the food, the people( writers, musicians, scientist, the history, the music,athletes)exotic species, should I go on?
Every nation has its negative parts...

It's all linked to ignorance...the good thing is a lot of people see beyond stereotypes while some refuse to be less narrow minded and open up their minds..
Knowledge is power...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Albatross says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:40:

There's more to Colombia than prostitution and drugs ?

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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Joel y Luza says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:46:

MaFe, my point exactly. hell, when i met my wife, all I knew was drug cartels, coca, and FARC..She still laughs at the time I asked her if she lived in the jungle. So, after wallowing in my ignorance, while I was falling madly in love, I got very close to Google, and educated myself, and asked MANY questions. My point is that generalizations come from ignorance and they reside with many peoples in the world, but Colombians are not singled out, and my experiences are that Colombians are typically embraced with open arms...

Look, the guys focused on Colombian "sluts" are probably focused on sluts in general, and so on..If you were Brazilian, I am sure the same comment would be made, etc. (probably not about American women, since Americans have a pandemic love of McDonalds, and asses as wide as the Amazon).

So what does a Colombian look like? (just kidding!!) That one is actually funny, that people would ask that, since Colombians LOOK pretty diverse, from aboriginals, mulatos, to European.. It must be that they watched Scar Face too many times. I have to admit, that is a pretty dumb generalization to make...That's like saying to Barak Obama, "Funny, you don't look American?!?"

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MaFe says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:43:

Joel y Luza says on Jul 28 (today): flag

MaFe, my point exactly. hell, when i met my wife, all I knew was drug cartels, coca, and FARC..She still laughs at the time I asked her if she lived in the jungle. So, after wallowing in my ignorance, while I was falling madly in love, I got very close to Google, and educated myself, and asked MANY questions. My point is that generalizations come from ignorance and they reside with many peoples in the world, but Colombians are not singled out, and my experiences are that Colombians are typically embraced with open arms...

Look, the guys focused on Colombian "sluts" are probably focused on sluts in general, and so on..If you were Brazilian, I am sure the same comment would be made, etc. (probably not about American women, since Americans have a pandemic love of McDonalds, and asses as wide as the Amazon).

So what does a Colombian look like? (just kidding!!) That one is actually funny, that people would ask that, since Colombians LOOK pretty diverse, from aboriginals, mulatos, to European.. It must be that they watched Scar Face too many times. I have to admit, that is a pretty dumb generalization to make...That's like saying to Barak Obama, "Funny, you don't look American?!?"


Very good points! Agree with all..it exasperates me beyond believe when people don't understand that Latinos come in all shapes, sizes, colors!
Thank you for the way you think of Colombia and the Colombians!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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miamimike says on Jul 28, 2008, 11:06:

MiamiM,
Try the airports around the world, especially the U.S. and the borders in Central Amer and then tell me again its not large scale. Try being Colombian on yur way to Europe and having to pass thru an American airport without having a special american visa and see what u think. Its rediculous, and pervasive. Open your eyes people, if u can take them off the NFL boob tube action long enuff......

=============================================================

Quatum--I've picked up my fair share of Colombians here at MIA(also at FLL and WPB airports) and they never mentioned any unfair treatment when they passed customs or immigration. None ever complained of being charged HIGHER prices for local Taxicabs or on Hotel rates ect as we Americans are when we visit Colombia. When I worked for the better part of the 90s at a large Federal Detention Camp in South Miami where 100s of Colombians passed through yearly, I never saw Colombians singled out for unfair treatment. Football-Sorry, I Hate the Game, live or on TV, my TV Channel is stuck on PBS.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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miamimike says on Jul 28, 2008, 11:26:

Try being Colombian on yur way to Europe and having to pass thru an American airport without having a special american visa and see what u think. Its rediculous, and pervasive


Quantum--Lets talk about that "Special American Visa" that is now needed by Colombians and what prompted the US Government to require it in the first place. It (visa req) had NOTHING to do with the fact they were Colombian. It could have been any other nationality had they exploited this loophole. Prior to 9/11(more or less) Colombians didn't need a Tourist Visa if they had purchased a Ticket, say for Spain, with a Stop in Miami. What started to happen in Miami/NYC was that many Colombians used this loophole to JUMP Ship here in Miami/NYC! They simply started buying a Ticket for Spain(in most cases) and using it as a One way ticket to Miami/NYC with the Ultimate Goal of getting here and not returning to their country of Origin(Col in this case). 1000s of Colombians entered the US and remained here illegally Via this Loophole(mostly miami and nyc) in the late 90s finally the US Government, due to these lawbreakers, required ALL Colombians traveling to Europe with a US Stop enroute, to have a US Tourist Non Immigrant Visa. If you want to look at one of the groups of people who forced the US Government to institute this Burdensome Requirement, look at the Colombians who broke the Law as one of the Main Perps,,,,People from other countries exploited this law also but to a lesser extent. Now Brazilans, mexicans, Venezuelans ect need a Tourist Visa if they book a ticket with a Stop here in the USA enroute to Europe.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Joel y Luza says on Jul 28, 2008, 11:59:

Miamimike! Exactly! Now, In some of the places afflicted by illegal immigrants from Central America and Asia, substitute Mexicans and Guatamaulans, in any comment above that references Colombia, and you might have an arguement, (I am thinking Arizona). Interestingly, however, any bigoted and discriminating comments made toward them are very tempered.

Quantum: I investigated money laundering for the government. We were specifically asked NOT TO discriminate and avoid profiling because impairs our impartiality and taints the investigative process. Since the folks that work for TSA work for the same agency I did, I think they got the same memo.

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quantum says on Jul 29, 2008, 06:32:

Miamimike y Joel y Luza,
All good information. Appreciate your insights. Theres always more to it than meets the eye. Im speaking primarily from myown limited experience living here in Panama and Costa Rica. I do see Colombians singled out for mistreatment at the hands of corrupt local immigration and police. And returning from last trip to Colombia thru Capurnaga to Pt. Olbadia (military base close to border in Panama) and flying to Allbrook airport in Pan C. it took us virtually half a day to get thru the layers of revisions by immigration, customs and police. I was one of two extranjeros, (the other Dutch) the others all Colombians and we were all subjected to the same intense scrutiny trying to get back into Panama. And why, cuz we were coming from Colombia, and especially cuz we took the caribbean jungle route. Any smuggler with brains would have to be completely crazy to try smuggling anything thru that route. Once again, I maintain I have yet to see a govt that I like. Theyre all bad and thats why the govt that governs best governs least. I still think that immigration and police should be working on leads and not making regular peoples lives difficult. And Fed Dent Centers. There should be some great job security there in the near future, heh? Salud.......

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 30, 2008, 13:03: