My visit to
Valle de Cocora in Salento, Colombia, was culturally significant because it revealed how land functions as both a physical environment and a historical record for BIPOC communities. Walking through the valley, I learned about the Indigenous and Afro-Colombian relationships to the wax palm and how generations protected this landscape long before it became a tourist destination. This experience expanded my thinking by challenging the idea that nature exists separately from culture. Instead, the valley demonstrated how land preservation is deeply tied to survival, resistance, and identity for marginalized communities whose knowledge has often been ignored or exploited.
On a personal and academic level, this visit was deeply connected to my interests in psychology and generational trauma. Being in a space shaped by ancestral practices helped me reflect on how collective memory is stored not only in people but also in place. I became more aware of how historical displacement, colonization, and environmental exploitation can contribute to intergenerational stress within BIPOC communities, while ancestral practices of care and stewardship can also serve as sources of healing. This realization aligned with my desire to study psychology through a culturally responsive lens that honors lived experience rather than separating mental health from social and historical context.
This experience also strengthened my commitment to social advocacy for BIPOC communities through media. Observing how the valley is often portrayed as a picturesque destination made me think critically about whose stories are amplified and whose are erased. I am now more intentional about using media as a tool to highlight Indigenous knowledge, ethical tourism, and cultural accountability. Moving forward, I can apply what I learned by creating narratives that center BIPOC voices, challenge harmful representations, and promote healing informed by both psychological insight and cultural history.
-Zaria Samuel
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