The vice president of Colombia, Francia Márquez, responded to the criticism of lawyer Abelardo De la Espriella after receiving the WEB Du Bois Medal from Harvard University.
Marquez stated that the criticism he receives from the lawyer is due to envy: “Illustrious Dr. Abelardo de la Espriella “envy is better to awaken than to feel.” “Cry it!”
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De la Espriella questioned Harvard’s decision to grant recognition to Márquez, calling the action a reflection of the “decline of the academic world.”
The lawyer maintains that Harvard has ceased to be an “educational faculty” and has become a “political board.” According to his statements, The recognition of Márquez is a slap in the face of science and education, and shows a deviation from the fundamental principles of research and reason.
De la Espriella also expressed concern about the impact this could have on students, suggesting that parents in the United States and Colombia should reconsider sending their children to study there.
These statements were added to his criticism of Harvard’s educational quality and its decision to reward the Colombian vice president.
The lawyer also suggested that these types of recognitions are influenced by ideological agendas that, in his opinion, promote the decline of humanity.
The controversy intensified when De la Espriella stated that the award cannot be given to people who “promote the decline of humanity.” These statements generated a wide debate on social networks, where followers and detractors of both characters expressed their opinions.
Francia Márquez was awarded the WEB Du Bois Medal by Harvard University on October 1, in recognition of her work in defense of human rights and equality for Afro-descendant communities.
During the ceremony, which took place at the Sanders Theater in Cambridge, United States, Márquez shared his personal story and his commitment to social justice.
In his speech, Márquez recalled the painful past of his ancestors, who were taken to America in conditions of slavery.
“More than four hundred years ago, my ancestors were uprooted from the African continent and brought to America as slaves. In 2023, I returned free and as vice president of the Republic,” she said, according to the account of the event.
The WEB Du Bois Medal is a recognition given to individuals whose work has strengthened African and African American studies. Previous winners include presenters, athletes, and renowned social activists.
The list of winners, including the vice president, is:
- Kimberlé Crenshaw, civil rights advocate and legal scholar.
- Kathy Delaney-Smith, former coach of the Harvard women’s basketball team.
- Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem.
- Ice T, musician, composer, producer and actor.
- Spike Lee, filmmaker, writer, producer and teacher.
- John Legend, artist and activist.
- France Elena Márquez Mina, vice president of Colombia.
- Strive Masiyiwa, African businessman and philanthropist.
Márquez also highlighted his efforts to strengthen diplomatic and commercial relations with Africa. “I have visited Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia and Ghana, consolidating diplomatic, commercial, academic and cultural connection relations,” he stated.
In addition, he mentioned the opening of the Embassy of Senegal and the progress towards that of Ethiopia as part of the Africa Strategy 2022-2026.
In his speech, The vice president called on women around the world to raise their voices against armed conflicts, emphasizing that they are the ones who suffer the worst consequences.
“I call on the women of the world to continue raising our voices to stop all wars because after each war, we are the women who collect the rubble that remains,” she said.
Finally, Márquez sent a message of support to Kamala Harris, United States presidential candidate, wishing her success in her campaign and extending an invitation to visit Colombia to work together on new routes to freedom.