Certainly stories can be dangerous for a common identity, for they can define these individuals wrongfully. Mediums like literature portray specifically what someone wants to see in these identities, therefore one should take into account different sources and mediums. Having the opportunity to read some wonderful Colombian books I can say that these define Colombian customs, culture and society. Specifically I refer to Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Times of Cholera. These masterpieces do not just tell wonderful stories of a variety of Colombians, but they walk readers along traits of our history that define this country. Colombia is characterized by the vast amount of civil wars that it had around the XIX century and today the country's political status is defined by the results of these. Colombians have always lived in a tumultuous and revolting society and Marquez parts from some of these aspects to show a recreation of the world or an extensive love story. Though I have not read foreign stories involving Colombia, I know foreigners perception of this country is not an accurate one. Even if they read one of the books I mentioned they would still be erroneous. In order to successfully understand an identity one must submerge in it and crawl up to the heart and essence of it. We must discern these cultures and societies, take them apart, and build up an identity from there.
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