Afro-Colombian, Black, Raizal and Palenquero Participation in Electoral Politics: The Construction of a Distinctive Political Culture in Colombia

This chapter analyzes the factors that hinder the political and electoral participation of the Afro-Colombian, Black, Raizal and Palenquera population who are part of the African diaspora and are a substantive component of Colombian society. Their daily lives and rights are affected by racism that denies their ancestral culture. This chapter draws attention to the need to utilize the International Declaration of the Decade of People of African descent, to adopt effective measures to strengthen the participation of the Black community in the political life of the country. The chapter is based on narratives of leaders historically committed to community projects. It contributes to collective memory as it relies on an engagement of published social science literature and the voices of community leaders.