Netflix came out with the series “Narcos” in 2015 which showcases the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The series goes through how Escobar came to be one of the richest men in the world. However, it romanticizes a world of violence and drugs. Young people today watch the show and are enticed by the power and money he once had. The phrase “Plata o Plomo” became very popular after the show came out which poses the question, will I have to use money or violence to achieve my goal. The series has brought a lot of attention to this era in Colombian history but it has also turned Pablo Escobar into a star. Multiple movies and merchandise have came out since the show aired and became such a hit. In fact, his family is even profiting now by coming out with their own books. This tends to happen with a lot of these stories. The murderer or in this case drug lord becomes a sensation while those who were victims to their violence are no longer remembered. The question is, do these shows spread awareness or do they just glamorize a world of crime?
