Conflict and identity and a criticism of memory in Colombia

https://doi.org/10.25058/20112742.n29.11

Fabio Silva Vallejo
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-1789
Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia
fsvallejo@gmail.com

Angélica Hoyos Guzmán
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7900-1465
Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia
hoyosguzman@gmail.com

Abstract:

This paper aims to interpret post-conflict discourse and policies drawing upon the criticism of memory in Colombia. Based upon our reading, this discourse imposes a dynamics of systematic oblivion, and leaves us unable to overcome wars, but it also gives place to forms of resistance to conflicts, and ways to preserve identities in spite of how marginalized communities affected by the armed conflict may be. With all of this, identity is left confined to war as a neoliberal imperialist policy within an evil circle of violence, which defines peace as a show, memory as capital, and multiplies the senses of survival. We end by concluding there is a need to show empathy towards the various memories, based upon new sensitivities to intervene in the policy of testimonial files, rethinking what is taught and spread as Historic Memory, and its impact in the country.

Keywords: armed conflict, memory of violence, identity, criticism of memory.