viernes, 31 de octubre de 2014

Nonverbal communication: Street Art

The Street Art is a practice that has been gaining strength over the years. Currently, there are many people doing murals around the world. But the way they are viewed depends on the culture of the country and what they want to express with them. For example, in countries like Argentina, people admire the beauty and the monumentality of the murals. Cities like Buenos Aires has been transformed in opened galleries under the sky. But, in other parts like Honduras, artists have to hide their names because they fear for their lives. 
However, all this practice converges on one point: it is a way of speaking without words. Regardless of the size and beauty, all the graffitis contain messages in opposition to a practice, a law, corruption, politics, inequality and so on, the reality and the problems of a place. Colombia, a country plagued by violence and corruption, uses this practice to communicate how difficult it is to live in a place like this, even though the murals are more accepted in some places than others. This acceptance, often depends on the beauty rather than the message. 
It is not the same to see this: 


Than this:


In the first image, because of the "aesthetic" we can understand the figure, but in the second image, we only see stripes and circles, and the wall looks dirty. That's why the first one is considered art and the second one vandalism. 
Finally, we have to respect the different thoughts, ideologies and what graffiti artists want to express. However, they must also respect the visual harmony of the city, the organization and hierarchy of places, because it is disrespectful to scratch cultural heritage monuments and statues. The day that they know how to handle these aspects they won't be considered (for the citizens) like vandals.


miércoles, 22 de octubre de 2014

Bangkok’s ‘Mexican’ Gangsters

Bangkok's "Mexican" Gangters.


 Nowadays, Cultural appropriation  is a common phenomenom between different cultures or subcultures. It occurs when a group of people takes some characteristics or customs of another group of people. A great example of this, is the Cultural appropiation that young Thai men have done of the Mexican Gangsters. Popularly, Mexican Gangsters are called "Cholos" in their country, and this word includes many aspects like violence, drugs, resistance, etc. But, what is really curious is that the movement that Thais have created doesn't include these particularities. Their passion is the Cholos' aesthetic, only that. No guns, no marihuana, no murders. They are common people... A teacher, a friend, a dad, but wearing over baggy white shirts and gothic-baroque tattoos. On the other hand, they are conscious about the situation of Mexican Gangters, and they argue that the style is perfect for the weather. Cultural appropiation is an example of how we are interconnected in this huge world, no matter distance, no matter time. Likewise, we are exposed and each person can take something of us and vice versa. Moreover, there is a responsibility to respect the original culture to maintain and inherit for years. 

Real "Cholos". 

viernes, 3 de octubre de 2014

Racism in Colombia: AfroColombians

The Afro-Colombian is one of the most important races in the country. It corresponds to 26% of the national population and they have contributed in many aspects of Colombian culture. Despite this, it is one of the most segregated and forgotten races and they live in precarious conditions. This video shows some percentages about the status of these people in the country:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiGKIO722HA
As we know, the quality of life in Colombia is very low, but for AfroColombians is much more. They have the worst rates of illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, hunger, mortality etc. Colombia is very diverse and black communities made ​​great contributions to the search for its own identity and the consolidation of its culture with food, customs, dancing and others. Because of this, they should be helped and paid instead of being discriminated and abused. 
Government and people in general should know that afrodescendientes and raizales are happy and normal as they. Likewise, black people should receive education and employment as the rest of people in the country. Fortunately, in recent years there have been changes in the mentality of the population because of the several movements created by black communities to enforce their rights. But the real change starts from our hearts and depend of us the inclusion of these wonderful people. 




AfroColombian children
Google Images