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Liberty and Equality in Caribbean Colombia, 1770-1835
After Brazil and the United States, Colombia has the third-largest population of African-descended peoples in the Western hemisphere. Yet the country is commonly viewed as a nation of Andeans, whites, and mestizos (peoples of mixed Spanish and indigenous Indian ancestry). Aline Helg examines the historical roots of Colombia's treatment and neglect of its Afro-Caribbean identity within the comparative perspective of the Americas. Concentrating on the Caribbean region, she explores the role of free and enslaved peoples of full and mixed African ancestry, elite whites, and Indians in the late colonial period and in the processes of independence and early nation building.
Why did race not become an organizational category in Caribbean Colombia as it did in several other societies with significant African-descended populations? Helg argues that divisions within the lower and upper classes, silence on the issue of race, and Afro-Colombians' preference for individual, local, and transient forms of resistance resulted in particular spheres of popular autonomy but prevented the development of an Afro-Caribbean identity in the region and a cohesive challenge to Andean Colombia.
Considering cities such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, the rural communities along the Magdalena River, and the vast uncontrolled frontiers, Helg illuminates an understudied Latin American region and reintegrates Colombia into the history of the Caribbean.
Why did race not become an organizational category in Caribbean Colombia as it did in several other societies with significant African-descended populations? Helg argues that divisions within the lower and upper classes, silence on the issue of race, and Afro-Colombians' preference for individual, local, and transient forms of resistance resulted in particular spheres of popular autonomy but prevented the development of an Afro-Caribbean identity in the region and a cohesive challenge to Andean Colombia.
Considering cities such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, the rural communities along the Magdalena River, and the vast uncontrolled frontiers, Helg illuminates an understudied Latin American region and reintegrates Colombia into the history of the Caribbean.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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March 4, 2018
Liberty & Equality is, essentially, a book about the relationships between different social & ethnic groups in Caribbean Colombia. This book take place in the late colonial & early independence in the short lived union of Gran Colombia. It focuses on the hierarchy that existed among the different classes & how and when those relations broke down & blurred.
The Introduction & ending can fool the reader as it mentions the 1991 Colombian Constitution (a well as previous ones). But, don't be fooled by it as the subject matter never analysis the document & how it relates to the people. Perhaps that is a topic of study if one is interested constitutional theory & development. But, its just a distraction.
The first half of the book details the life before revolution. Ethnic terms such as "zambo", "mulatto", "pardo", &"quadroon" are examples of some 'classes' in this region. As the first chapters unfold, a scene begins to take shape between the main cities - like Cartagena & Mompox - & the hinterlands with the illegal settlements, rochelas, & non-Catholic way of life.
The second half of the book gets into the lead up of the first revolution of 1811, the war of Independence for Gran Colombia, & the immediate aftermath of the lack of progress for the newly independent country that breaks apart. The fighting mentioned doesn't go into the fighting outside of the Caribbean region, so a fuller picture of these wars would have to be read in a different book.
We also see the complicated relationships between cities & lack of race-based uprisings that were feared at this time due to the Haitian Revolution. The most interesting, but grossly underdeveloped part, is the complicated situation with Simon Bolivar (creole), General Padillo (pardo), & his execution. Pay attention to the thoughts behind "pardocracia" as they play a role in this time period.
The book touches on a variety of subjects that can become parts of larger books. But the author is more focused on a specific region of "Caribbean Colombia" & its racial mix & not-so-clear cut laws due to the intermixing of ethnic groups (which the author speculates has to due with the high ratio of single women of color & forming illicit relationships with well to due creoles or free men of color). This is fine, but it doesn't seem to get really focused.
Ultimately, I would recommend this book if you are wanting to get ideas about what to study about this country. Its lack of a true central idea is a negative, but not one that takes away from it too much.
The Introduction & ending can fool the reader as it mentions the 1991 Colombian Constitution (a well as previous ones). But, don't be fooled by it as the subject matter never analysis the document & how it relates to the people. Perhaps that is a topic of study if one is interested constitutional theory & development. But, its just a distraction.
The first half of the book details the life before revolution. Ethnic terms such as "zambo", "mulatto", "pardo", &"quadroon" are examples of some 'classes' in this region. As the first chapters unfold, a scene begins to take shape between the main cities - like Cartagena & Mompox - & the hinterlands with the illegal settlements, rochelas, & non-Catholic way of life.
The second half of the book gets into the lead up of the first revolution of 1811, the war of Independence for Gran Colombia, & the immediate aftermath of the lack of progress for the newly independent country that breaks apart. The fighting mentioned doesn't go into the fighting outside of the Caribbean region, so a fuller picture of these wars would have to be read in a different book.
We also see the complicated relationships between cities & lack of race-based uprisings that were feared at this time due to the Haitian Revolution. The most interesting, but grossly underdeveloped part, is the complicated situation with Simon Bolivar (creole), General Padillo (pardo), & his execution. Pay attention to the thoughts behind "pardocracia" as they play a role in this time period.
The book touches on a variety of subjects that can become parts of larger books. But the author is more focused on a specific region of "Caribbean Colombia" & its racial mix & not-so-clear cut laws due to the intermixing of ethnic groups (which the author speculates has to due with the high ratio of single women of color & forming illicit relationships with well to due creoles or free men of color). This is fine, but it doesn't seem to get really focused.
Ultimately, I would recommend this book if you are wanting to get ideas about what to study about this country. Its lack of a true central idea is a negative, but not one that takes away from it too much.
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