Race and identity have throughout time affected mankind through forms of both isolation and unity, gradually creating a place of diverse cultures all bound together by a single planet. Gran Columbia's history of searching for independence is a great example of the impact that race and identity can have on national identity and politics.
Venezuelan Simón Bolívar was the base of Gran Columbia's successes when attempting to achieve independence from Spain. His first act of rebellion was in 1810 as an officer in Carcas, where he was a part of the conspiracy that expelled the Spanish governor of Venezuela. In 1811 a national assembly of Carcas declares independence for Venezuela which is only to be reversed by the Spanish military a year later. Bolívar becomes known as the liberator in years to come for his dedication to the rebellion. Even after many extreme failures he always seemed to bound back. In 1819 the Spanish army surrenders in an engagement at Boyacá. Success is increasing day by day and by June if 1821 Bolívar is able to win a battle at Carabo and in may 1822 Antonio José de Sucre is able to bring about another rebel victory at Pichincha. The Republica de Columbia is freed. Keeping Gran Columbia unified, however, is difficult and eventually Ecuador and Venezuela are no longer a part of it. By being so separate from their mother country, Gran Columbia had become their own ethnicity, with a completely different culture from Spain. They couldn’t stand to be ruled by these people any longer. Race was a huge political factor to the people of Gran Columbia, since maintaining their true identity required a revolution, and changing their system completely. Race change seemed to go hand with political change and national identity change for Gran Colombia
The public response to the shooting of Ferguson resident Michael Brown serves as an example of how race and identity continues to impact the world despite it being a couple hundred years since Gran Colombia's journey to freedom. Situations involving the boys death are explained in Michael brown shooting: Ferguson Grand Jury does not indict Officer Darren Wilson. The case as explained in the article was evidently a huge deal to the whole country, but more so to the city it took place in which faced many arrests and riots. People were sure that Michael Brown was killed as opposed to other forms of punishment, because of the color of his skin. They were outraged to learn that Officer Wilson would not face criminal charges for what many call murder rather than self defense. Today, race continues to affect us just in different ways. People are still fighting to make sure that racial justice is served. Although we have found peace and acceptance of our diversity, and we have many races under one nation, ridding ourselves of all racial disagreements is nearly impossible. In my opinion, the evidence does seem to show that regardless of Michael’s skin color, he would’ve had to be killed by Wilson who was in need of self-defense. However, no matter what side of the argument you appeal to, the situation shows how race still impacts our national identity. Either because Wilson tried to kill a boy thinking his race was inferior or because people assumed he did so. Both suggest different cultures and ways to be among different races existing under our one nation. Politics were affected; considering our president was forced to be involved with the case. Politics still involve ridding ourselves of racism.
Race and identity have proved to be a big part of how a nation and politics are defined for hundreds of years, and although this has decreased a lot especially in the United states, the statement still holds true today.
Bibliography: Sneed, Tierney. "Darren Wilson Not Indicted in Michael Brown's Death." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 24 Nov. 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/24/michael-brown-shooter-darren-wilson-not-indicted-by-grand-jury>.
No comments:
Post a Comment