Displacement

 

Being in the middle of the gun conflict was the reality for a lot of families in Colombia countryside during the 60s and ’70s. When the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia Farc group was created in 1964, its main purpose was to combat the deliquesce and social problems in different rural zone of Colombia. Over time the group turns into a cruel group to try to get the government power and fight with the legal Colombian army for territory. In a lot of the territory, the Farc had marijuana crops and abducted people as an economic income. Over the years there have been multiples peace agreements between the Colombian government and Farc, but the last one was in 2016. The violence ceased in different years depending on each place where the Farc were. In rural zones in Colombia, forced displacement was the only solution to flee the violence for a long time. Although my father's displacement was not forced, he decided to leave his life of farming and cattle, the life that he liked. He left his town to avoid dying in the middle of the conflict between two armed groups. He was seventeen years old and moved to the capital city, Bogota to start a new life without education. As a result, he met my mother, and I was born in Bogota. My father’s displacement changed my life and has allowed me to live different experiences that I would not have lived in a town.

As a city girl, I didn't have to do hard work in the countryside during my childhood. It is common for kids in the countryside to work in farming or do a lot of household duties. In my case, I did not need to help with the guava harvest while the sun burned me, milk cows at dawn, feed and collet chickens’ eggs, or make fences. On the contrary, I was in my city Bogota enjoying the city and the cultural spaces, like museums and parks for kids. In Bogotá, I was able to meet an awesome group of friends. We have been friends for twenty years, we traveled together, and have incredible experiences together.

 Bogotá

In addition, I am thankful that I finished university because in Velez, the town where my father came from there are no Universities. I should appreciate the education I received because a lot of people there barely finished high school. Also, many teenagers there get pregnant which contributes to the cycle of poverty. The good news is my father always dreamed to go back to the land where he was born. When the violence ceased, he took my family and me for vacation every year to his town and we spent time on the farm. He has some cows and chickens that we took care of. I love it, but just for vacation. That experience allowed me to grow up with countryside and city experiences, which for me are a good balance. 

The last effect on me was that I was able to meet people from different countries and learn about their cultures. Back in my father’s town, there are some people who have never even left their town or seen other parts of Colombia. They are not curious about what is outside the country, what other people think about life, or how they lived in other places. For me, it is the most exciting thing that someone from the other side of the globe tells his or her customs or rules instead of reading about them. Now I am in the U.S.A. hoping to learn more about myself and others. Certainty Chicago will allow me to meet more people from different countries and have more experiences than the ones that I could have in a small town.

 

I cannot say that my father's displacement was a blessing. I think I can say it was a challenge, and the advantage was for me. When I visited my father's town, I realized how my life changed because of his displacement. I experience different situations than the people of his town, but I cannot say if it was better or not. Undoubtedly what I'm sure of is that I am thankful for the experiences in the city and in the town, for studying, for travel and learning about other cultures, but above all for being able to be my father's daughter.