Before you start throwing your “Tangas” up in the air in disagreement, first read it- think about it and then think of the person on the receiving end.

This is something that bothers me; it makes me feel uneasy, embarrassed and gives me a bad gut feeling. Why do some Colombians, I repeat SOME COLOMBIANS feel the need to refer to people/ friends as black? Any other part of the world this is racism/ discrimination but as always Colombians have an excuse as to why it isn’t. The usual reply “Costumbre” Sorry it’s wrong, “Costumbre”- Doesn’t make it right. In 2011 the Colombian Law was amended: referring to a person/s skin colour as discrimination.

I understand it is not done intentionally or meant in a negative way: nevertheless, it is not correct. I have been told it is said with affection, he/she is my friend, etc…

1. Have you ever asked a black person how they feel about being reminded of their skin colour 24 hours a day?

2. Have you ever asked them if they mind being called black?

3. Have you ever asked them to give you an honest answer, as to which they would prefer to be called black or by their given name?

Probably No- to all three questions!

At birth we are given a name; we can change it later by Deed Poll or Civil Law if we are not happy, from there on until our last breath, we have a name, not a colour code. What next a barcode?

For a moment let’s reverse the scales: How would you like it if someone came up to you and said “Hello my big nose/ chubby cheeks/ virtually challenged/ obese/ pizza- face (acne) friend! How are you? -Nothing affectionate about that. Is there?

Yes, some Colombians call us foreigners “Mono” this is mostly by people begging for money on the street. Do you greet people with brown skin as “Brownies” No, then why single out as “Black” or “Negrito/a? The other week I overheard a woman say to the barista: “Yes Negrito” In this instance I think she was referring to the colour of his hair. Whatever nickname/pet name/bedroom name you use for someone, it doesn’t have the same ring to it in public.

Translated to English, “My little Black” and as for the “N-Word”, this is a NO- NO. A few people told me they like using this word because it is funny or because they can!

The only people who can use this word are black people among themselves. Why? I don’t know, but it’s their choice. I know for older people - change is difficult if not impossible, then let’s start by educating the younger generation, I live in hope…Recently a teacher told me in her school, she had a situation where the children were calling the new student “Black” and using the “N-Word”. She had to explain to the class that this type of behaviour wasn’t acceptable! The bigger question I have is: Where did the children learn this? What educational programmes are in place to prevent this from happening again or in other schools?

Another example, after a 20-minute chat via Skype with a man he decided to have classes with me, he said: …more so as I wasn’t racist at first I thought did I hear him correctly! What a strange thing to say. He then told me “as a child I would often come home from school and cry because the other children wouldn’t call me by my name –only black. He is now in his 40s, has a good job; still today people in the office refer to him as “black”. I asked him as to why he tolerates this type of ignorance from people? He said: “Because this is the norm in Colombia, and if I complain, I could lose my job”. This is part of the problem because things have been done and said in this way for so many years regardless, that it has become the norm. A bit like a certain activity with donkeys!! (No explanation needed)

Earlier this year a man thought, I would see the funny side of how he was referring to his black employee as “Mico”, He wasn’t laughing when I gave him a verbal mouth-full.

There is an expression in English: “Ignorance is Bliss”- Meaning: if one is unaware of an unpleasant fact or situation one cannot be troubled by it. Alas, not in these cases!

The rest of the world has evolved, granted, it took some time and with a lot of education. Today we live in a multicultural society with supposedly a higher level of education, then there is no reason to live or tolerate this uncouth behaviour.

Uncouth: (adjective) lacking good manners, refinement, or grace. Synonyms: uncivilised, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, unsophisticated, common, low, plebeian, philistine, rough, coarse, provincial, rustic, crude, gross, vulgar, ill-mannered.

Think Before You Speak! Colombia is now a tourist destination, and many tourists only have basic Spanish, all they may understand is the word “Black” and think you are referring to them … not a very nice welcome.

These are only my views (observations) as an outsider living in Colombia.

Until next Tuesday- Be good.

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