ChocQuibTown Speak Out On Racism In Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

ChocQuibTown Speak Out On Racism In Colombia
03:00 pm
February 10, 2011
by Felix Contreras

The truth hurts.

That's a typical comments left on this article, published in People En Español, about statements made by Colombian hip hop group Chocquibtown about racism in their country.

During an interview on Al Punto Con Jorge Ramos on Univision the group didn't hold back. They expressed frustration with the institutional racism found in Colombian media (no Blacks in popular telenovelas) as well as in society in general.

The members of CQT are descendents of the country's history with the slave trade and come from the predominately Afro Pacific Coast. Their music proudly reflects their heritage and the messages in their music have resonated with Afro Colombians around the country as well as with non Blacks. The group is in town to perform during the Grammy Awards telecast this Sunday night, they're also nominated for Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album.

I couldn't help but listen intently when band member Carlos "Tostado" Valencia spoke about people who don't even realize they are expressing feelings or ideas that could be interpreted as racist.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/altlatino/2011/02/10/133639934/choc-quib-town-speak-out-on-racism-in-colombia?ft=1&f=1039