Afro-Colombians battle racism and socio-economic exclusion .

Afro-Colombians battle racism and socio-economic exclusion .
Friday, 22 March 2013 08:39 Benjy Hansen-Bundy

Racism has continued to disadvantage the Afro-Colombian population, as evidenced by economic disparities, a large educational performance gap, and under-representation in politics.

"We need affirmative action because of the large economic difference. That is the genesis of all the [Afro-Colombian] problems. We started our economic growth 160 years ago when slavery ended. Everyone else started before," Ray Chappuri, director of the activist group Chao Racismo, told Colombia Reports.

Ethnic minorities face discrimination when seeking formal employment in Colombian urban centers. According to a study by Social Mobility Mission (MMS), Afro-Colombians are plagued by high rates of informal labor and unemployment, high dropout rates, illiteracy, overcrowding, poor access to potable water, poor sanitation, child labor, and poor access to government services, among other things.

Though the 2005 census showed 10.6% of the population as Afro-Colombian, the number of black Colombians could be as high as 25% because of how individuals of mixed race choose to define themselves.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/28652-afro-colombians-battle-racism-and-socio-economic-exclusion.html