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¡Memory, education and dignity! Let us get to know an inspiring story of Afro-Co...

¡Memory, education and dignity! Let us get to know an inspiring story of Afro-Colombian identity at the University

On a day as significant as May 21, when we commemorate Afro-Colombian Day, the University of Cauca reaffirms its commitment to intercultural and anti-racist education; a date that not only invites reflection, but also calls on us to celebrate and learn from those who have tirelessly fought for the dignity and rights of Afro-descendant peoples. And it is precisely within the framework of this commemoration that we wish to share the story of Professor, researcher, and activist José Antonio Caicedo Ortíz, a talented Unicaucano who has dedicated his life to building bridges toward inclusive education.

This day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a powerful reminder of the legal abolition of slavery in Colombia in 1851, a milestone decreed by President José Hilario López. Law 725 of 2001 made this day official as a commemorative date that invites us to look back and acknowledge historical struggles, as well as the valuable cultural, intellectual, and political contributions that Afro-descendant peoples have made to our nation. However, it also confronts us with the challenges that still persist on the path toward the full realization of their rights.

Within this transformative context, the University of Cauca highlights the work of Professor José Antonio Caicedo Ortíz. A sociologist and holder of a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies, his passion for teaching is felt in every corner of the Department of Intercultural Studies. As a member of the Center for Ethnic Memories and coordinator of the Rogerio Velásquez Murillo Afro-Colombian Chair, his career is marked by a firm commitment to teacher training in ethnoeducation and the creation of curricular proposals that promote respect and inclusion.

“The Commemoration of Afro-Colombian Identity is a date to remember the collective and contemporary agendas of the peoples of the African diaspora in Colombia. It is a time to recall political, intellectual, aesthetic, individual, and collective activism as Afro-descendants, and to help generate a culture of peace from the perspectives and memories of Afro-Colombian peoples for the nation. It is also a reminder that material gaps and the lack of full rights for Afro-Colombian people remain an urgent task if we are to speak of a full, multiethnic, and intercultural democracy,” noted Professor José Antonio.

Under his visionary leadership, Unicauca has been a pioneer in the systematic implementation of the Afro-Colombian Chair in higher education. Nearly five thousand students have had the privilege of participating in these enriching academic spaces through the Comprehensive Education Program in Society and Humanism (FISH), both in Popayán and in Santander de Quilichao, impressive and inspiring, right? Meanwhile, the Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnoeducation has been another fundamental pillar since 2008, training teachers committed to Black communities and promoting an intercultural approach that respects our roots: a true challenge, yet entirely relevant to the context we inhabit!

In this regard, Professor José Antonio emphasizes that “In the comprehensive education of university students, it is essential to know the cultural, intellectual, and political memory of the Colombian nation, to know its history through the study of the Afro-Colombian legacy, regardless of the professional, technical, or technological field in which one is trained. For all students, it is necessary to understand Afro-Colombian legacies as a material and immaterial heritage that enriches their knowledge and offers them a plural vision of the world. Afro-Colombian identity must be approached through the lens of dignity in order to respect and value it.”

Thus, in commemorating the Day of Afro-Colombian Identity, this home that is #HeritageOfAll reaffirms its unwavering commitment to an anti-racist education that strengthens the dignity of Afro-descendant peoples. This celebration is not merely symbolic; it is an opportunity to critically examine the structures that perpetuate racism and exclusion. From our academic community, we responsibly assume the commitment to transform our culture toward a democratic coexistence in which diversity is a central value.

It is therefore clear that, for the Alma Mater of Cauca, teaching the Afro-Colombian legacy must be permanently integrated into our educational spaces; it cannot be marginal or sporadic, it must be a fundamental part of the educational fabric with which we shape generations capable of understanding our history with honesty, respecting our differences, and working together for a more just, equitable, and peaceful society. That is the challenge: to continue moving forward together toward a tomorrow where every voice is heard and every story becomes memory. Stories such as that of our featured professor remind us that every action counts: we are agents of change with the #UnicaucaSeal.