The influence of the past

courtesy Amos Archer

We work with African descendants from the Spanish colonization of Latin America. I wanted to share further the connection of reality and the way it can form how we spiritually see the world. Our worldview is formed by our physical reality in some cases. The physical slavery of the Africans here formed the culture that still thrives today. Not because they are still enslaved, but because they still are viewed as inferior and not fully accepted into society. The result is, in general, in most African communities in Colombia is to live life for the day. They work enough to make it for the day, many that come here notice and are concerned about their lack of concern for the future. Americans especially are taught to know where you want to be in five years. Have a retirement plan.
 The view of a slave is that this life is a punishment, so get through the day and get what you can get. This is the view of the culture of the African communities. Considering that most of the communities are separated from the main public square they haven't changed in 200 years.
 You may say that seems to be a stretch, but if you ever are here in Bocachica when there is a death you will see the tradition still alive. Death here is sorrowful for the old people, but the young people here sit outside the houses and have a party for about a week. They get benches and tables , play cards and dominoes, and have snacks. Why do they party, because the one who died is free. He has gone to a better place. Life is seen as something you have to bear until you can get out. A friend of mine asked a boy if he was Christian and going to heaven and he said - of course. My friend asked how he knew. The boy said that every funeral he has been to they always say he (the dead person) is in a better place now. So of course he will be there to. Actually, although not practiced anymore, they used to cry and mourn when a baby was born because of it's destiny.
 As a result of slavery and the isolation from society, the reality of life has informed the culture, and now in dealing with the problems of the culture it is hard to change the what they have been familiar with for so long. It has penetrated even to the politics of the island so that they are easily pleased through corrupt government. If they have enough for today, it's OK. The big corporations here are destroying the environment for the fish and as a result the fishermen here don't have enough fish to make a living. The government has a contract with the corporations to train and work with affected communities so that they will have other options of employment when the fish are gone. When the business comes to "work" they pay off the community and its leaders with cheap gifts like bikes, canoes, food, and other things that are short lived. The people, however, love the gifts and are satisfied and demand nothing more. The people here don't know what they want for the future of the community, so the opportunity is being wasted.
 Being satisfied for the day is good, but at the same time they need responsible dialogue with the powers that be (Government or Corporations) to be able to have something for tomorrow. The gospel message speaks about being content, but it is also concerned with justice. If the gospel can renew their minds, perhaps Bocachicians will be able to demand what is right despite the history of injustice to them.