Domestic violence statistics in Colombia are disturbingly high –as everyplace where violence is the star policy tool that dominates at national and local levels. Not only war, but also poverty, and too few jobs are policies of violence.
Parque de la Paz symbolically represents the hard work of peace. It’s possibly the largest slab of solid concrete I’ve ever seen –exception being highways and runways. A thin border of trees outline the park, but not a flower, plant, bench, children's slide, or water in the Peace Park. Barranquilla day temperatures range between 88 and 97 degrees farenheit! The concrete slab is mostly vacant by day. After sundown food vendors set up their grills and fruit stands in one corner where commuters pass. Precarious lanterns on several carts provide light. This evening scene reminds me of fragile and small acts that are part of constructing peace; of transforming the massive, hard and impervious into space for friendly interaction around common needs and interests.
The music and poems on the stage at tonight's Vigil brought laments, determination, and hope. An angel with arms outstretched to wave large gauze wings walked the concrete slab on dangerously high stilts.
