Centering Afro-Colombian Lideresa Felicita Campos: Counter-narrative Comics against Land Grabs

Abstract: This article explores the representation of social leader Felicita Campos in a comic book created by members of her community and a team led by sociologist Orlando Fals Borda and painter Ulianov Chalarka in the early 1970s. The comic portrays Campos, a female Afro-Colombian peasant, fighting for recognition of her community's land ownership rights during the 1920s amidst intense repression and violence. Through critical analysis of visual narratives, historical research, and literary criticism, this article highlights the significance of "Felicita Campos: La mujer campesina en lucha por la tierra" as a mnemonic device for remembering and learning from past struggles against land theft and injustice. It also examines her representation as a female protagonist in relation to the natural and non-human world, comparing it to other female roles and representations in Colombian and Latin American comics. The article emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and promoting social justice through visual media like comics. Overall, this article contributes to the scholarship on Afro-Latin American studies, comics studies, and oral and literary traditions, underscoring the importance of "Felicita Campos: La mujer campesina en lucha por la tierra" as a tool for etnoeducación and generating dialogue and participation among marginalized communities.