América Si

Evelyn Cornejo's song 'América Si' is a powerful and poignant critique of the historical and ongoing exploitation of Latin America by European colonizers and their descendants. The lyrics delve into the brutal history of colonization, where the wealth of the Americas was siphoned off to finance the development of Europe, leaving behind a legacy of death, destruction, and cultural erasure. Cornejo highlights how Bolivia's riches and the lives of millions of indigenous people were sacrificed to fuel the European Renaissance, a period often celebrated for its cultural and intellectual achievements, but rarely acknowledged for its dark underpinnings of exploitation and violence.

The song also addresses the imposition of European laws and religion on the indigenous populations, who were forced to choose between submission and death. The reference to the 'indio sin alma' (soul-less Indian) as declared by the Catholic Church underscores the dehumanization and spiritual violence inflicted upon the native peoples. Cornejo's defiant declaration of preferring death over encountering another Christian speaks to the deep scars left by this forced conversion and cultural annihilation.

In the present day, Cornejo points out that the descendants of the colonizers continue to perpetuate systems of inequality and marginalization. Despite the rich natural resources of the land, many indigenous and mixed-race people remain excluded from the benefits of education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The song is a call to remember and acknowledge this painful history, and to strive for a more just and equitable future. Cornejo's lyrics are a reminder that the fight for freedom and dignity is far from over, and that the land and its people deserve to be treated with respect and fairness.