Inhabitants of Medellin, Colombia, suffered from the war-like violence perpetrated by drug cartels and other actors in the 1980s and 1990s. Thousands died, including innocent civilians, judges, and journalists, many more were injured and suffered psychological trauma. Three decades later, however, transnational media companies such as Netflix have transformed the traumatic memories into entertainment while the main perpetrator, Pablo Escobar, became a recognizable brand name.
“Victimhood, Memory, and Consumerism: Profiting from Pablo” documents the story of violence inflicted on Medellin, and critically examines the status of its victims. Drawing on unique empirical material, the book addresses the impact of commercial exploitation of the city's violent past on the victims of mass drug violence and on the present nature of the city.
“Victimhood, Memory, and Consumerism” offers a poignant critique of the role of the global market economy in the unequal distribution of narrative power among those engaged in processes of collective memory construction. A thoroughly compelling listen, this volume will appeal internationally to academics in criminology and victimology, as well as those interested in critical perspectives on Netflix, commercialism, and Colombian history.
