Dark consumerism and the trauma(tic) economy

Abstract

Abstract The commercialization of traumatic memories by the forces of commercialism goes beyond on-screen representations to shape the lived, material reality of Medellín’s residents. Over the past decade the city has been transformed by a dark commercial web centred on the ‘Escobar experience’, including tours and souvenirs as well as supplying tourists with drugs and sexual services. This chapter shows how media productions have contributed to the growth of dark tourism. We rely on statistical data provided by the mayor’s office, ethnographic observations of narco-tours, and interviews with taxi drivers who spoke about the demands made by foreign visitors seeking to explore and re-enact Escobar’s life. The chapter includes photos from our visits to shrines of narco-violence, such as Escobar’s grave and residences, to show the materiality of dark tourism. Finally, we deal with the difficulties that dark tourism poses for the survivors of violence and their struggles to participate in history-making and efforts to overcome their trauma. By describing the shock experienced by a person whose father was killed by Escobar when they see someone in the street wearing an Escobar T-shirt, we demonstrate the impact of this industry on the re-victimization of those who had experienced the violence. We argue that the conjunction of the symbolic power of narco-shows and dark tourism creates the impression that transnational actors have hijacked the narrative about Medellín, trapping it in the role of deviant city.