Comments on: Racism In Argentina

By: El Negrito « AFRICA IS A COUNTRY

El Negrito « AFRICA IS A COUNTRY — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:39:59 +0000

[...] BTW, on Argentina’s African roots and popular prejudice against blacks, seehere and here, for [...]

By: CharlyR

CharlyR — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:22:52 +0000

I’m sad to read your comment. Many of the looks you get, are more curious than racism.
You said: “In Argentina, It was impossible for me NOT to go anywhere and be the only black person.” .
That is not the fault of the people currently living in Argentina, and the fact you’re the only black person is not because we are not racist. It is a reflection of the people who were repopulating the Argentine national territory. Argentina had large waves of immigration in 1875 – 1890 (European), after the First World War (European) and after World War II (European).
Ethnic flow of people emigrated to Argentina was limited to Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and England (the latter with the boom of railroads). The following major immigration were from Asian countries like South Korea, Japan and now China.
25 years ago, thre wasnt a lot of Asian people in Argentina, and is very likely that if they had to feel like you feel in Argentina. Currently I know several people from South Korea, they have their own businesses, friends and even family.
Youi may not understand what I am trying to explain, but I tell you that if you were the ONLY black person, it was not because the Argentines are racist, but the fact that Argentina, in the last 100 years had no immigration of ethnic African countries.
I wonder how would you feel if you travel to Ukraine, where almost the entire population of the same race or ethnicity. It is a historical, not racial.
If anything I’ve written is offensive, is largely in my inability to write well in English (I have no trouble reading)

By: Cavalli-G

Cavalli-G — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:48:18 +0000

Hi Anonymous,

In regards to your post, since a black individual with money is accepted, and it seems as if an individual is poor, they aren’t accepted… Is it the same with other races, particularly whites? I do agree however that education is a key factor in creating differences among groups, so do groups marry with in groups not because of race, but because of economical factors and education? Just curious and wanting some clarification. (I’m trying to learn Spanish, particularly Rioplatense Spanish.. so excuse the errors.)
Gracias (right?)

By: Cavalli-G

Cavalli-G — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:41:03 +0000

I was interested in this post because it hits home, being Caucasian (I was born in Italy) and having parents who are white, I was the odd ball of the family and got my Grandfather’s and mothers genetics and am darker tan. My birthmother and father passed away, so I am living with my mother who married my father after my mother left him, despite his career as a doctor etc :/ … anyways, after “dating” an individual who comes from Argentina, it caused a whole riot within the family… They didn’t like darker colored skin, more the father, but nonetheless, they want white…. I still don’t understand. I’m not uneducated, I lived up north for the majority of my life, was educated in a well known private school (WT), top of the class, and have the potential… I care about this other individual so much, but it’s unfortunate that they hate for no reason… I know Italian, although it wouldn’t help much… Is there anyway a darker skinned individual can break the race barrier in a culture like this? It also is interesting, because his family is working class… so I find it ironic that the judge my family, who is white collar professionals, and whom went to college… I don’t know, it just saddens me that people have prejudices and racist ideals that have no substance other than in the mind. My cousin did an MBA program in B.A. and she said it was a beautiful city and capitol. Is there a way to connect and show people you’re a good person, despite being darker skinned? I’ve met his mother, and she seems very kind. His father however has hatred or contempt towards me. I mean no harm.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:25:52 +0000

I was in Buenos Aires last year, too. I have light skin and blond hair and I experienced a great deal of rudeness as well. I’ve always heard that in Argentina nearly all the people are full- blooded European which is nonsense. The Argentine people are nearly all mestizos, and they look no different from Mexicans, Guatamalans, Puerto Ricans or other Latin Americans. The travel book I prchased said that in Argentina 97% of the people are of European heritage which is rubbish. I’ve always heard these rediculous stories about Argentina having a large German population! The truth is in Argentina they despise white and Asian people. In most of Buenos Aires it’s not safe for a white person to walk around. They’ll kill you for being white (or Asian). I was also appaulled at how dishonest people are there. They were always trying to rip me off. I was in Japan two years ago and people are sure nicer over there.

By: Feydakin

Feydakin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 07:25:03 +0000

I’m a Nicaraguan mestizo, same race as Ricardo and a few of the others who have posted great comments here. I was a little wary of going to Argentina cos I thought it was almost exclusively 100% White and I am a medium-skinned Arab looking mestizo but now after reading all these comments I think I’ll fit right in over there, plus I already speak ” vosotro ” and I’m a right-wing Somocista like all the Peronistas over there. I feel really sorry for anybody who doesn’t seem to get the fact that Latin America IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE RACIST, I FIND IT REALLY FUNNY TO SEE ALL THE AFRICANS, ASIANS, AND ARABS OVER HER WHO THINK JUST BECAUSE ALL THE ILLEGAL BROWN-SKINNED LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS ARE DOING MENIAL JOBS IN THE STATES THAT’S HOW IT’S LIKE OVER THERE, BUT NO WAY IT’S NOT. I was born into an aristocratic Nicaraguan family, in my country I am treated like a Prince and in every Latin American country I go I am as well. Here in the U.S. people respect me cos I have money, education, and I carry myself like a person with class and distinction and I think they can sense that I’m not an ” ordinary ” Latino, and yes I have been called ” beaner ” , ” wetback ” and ” Spic ” but those comments roll off my back like bulletproof Kevlar. I think it’s a fact that I was exposed to education and money that afforded me the luxury to believe in myself and my true worth as a person, because when it comes down to it as one of the great commentaters here said, it all comes down to how much money you have in your wallet/purse, how much you spend, and if you give back as much as you take cos people never LOVE YOU FOR YOU, BUT THEY LOVE YOU FOR YOUR POCKETBOOK. So I will have great fun with the Argentine girls on my 2-week vacation, I’m sure I’ll find willing girls everywhere even though I’m darker than most Argentine men, I’ll enjoy my Argentine churrasco ( and compare it to my fine Nicaraguan ones ) and I’ll enjoy making new friends in the Silver Land. VIVA ARGENTINA, VIVA EVITA, VIVA PERON!!!

By: michael

michael — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:55:55 +0000

I was in Buenos Aires last April and I experienced their racism firsthand. I have light skin and blond hair so I don’t look hispanic, and I got nasty stares from people everywhere. I was treated very rudely in stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. The Argentines are known for their racism; especially against whites and Asians, but they sure don’t mind taking our money. They rely heavily on those tourist dollars.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:26:49 +0000

are there any cases of ethnic cleansing due to racism or any other reasons within the country?

By: charly

charly — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:36:40 +0000

The president of Argentina does’nt want us to be whites any more.
they want indians here because they say we are (no latinos enough)
this government is destroying this country
they hate people with european background
whats going on here is crazy
white people is not wanted any more .indians from bolivia are robbing our houses and parks .
this the truth.
Please somebody do SOMETHING!
look this is true;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVKrXfkZYoM

By: marcos

marcos — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:17:41 +0000

very racist country with little or no opportunityfor black people , the truth is that country is actually morethan 70% mestizo , but all claim white and from europe and believe they there to defend the white race and everything white without any knowlegde of black culture , history , nada

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:27:11 +0000

The Argentininan culture is very different from what you see in the US or other Latin American countries. Don’t take what Argentininans say very seriously, it’s just a cultural thing, we are graphic, bold people who like to stare. It is not bigotry. Argentinians use words very freely, and many people may take offense, but most of the times it’s not meant to harm and/or offend. Yes, there is a level of racism….which I’d call discrimination rather, and it can be hyperbolized because of the way the Argentinian person talks. Racism per se….I don’t know….I don’t think hate crimes are very common. Like I said, I’d call the “problem” discrimination. Yes, there is a tendency to point out people’s physical remarks, but I wouldn’t limit that solely to race. If you have a big nose, if you are fat, if you have some kind of physical impairment, you will be pointed out as well. It is a cultural thing, and I think people who are not used to the culture are greatly shocked. In reality, Argentinians have a a very open minded, yet extremely critical attitude. We put ourselves down all the time. If this was said about any other country, people would come here and deny everything you say. Instead, watch how us Argentinians accept the facts and even trash our country a bit. I was born and raised in Argentina, lived in the US for half my life. I don’t know what I consider myself, but I can tell you that the US has REAL racism. I don’t remember ever filling out a form in Arg where I have to say what race I am. So I have a white background, yet I was born in Argentina, which makes me Latin American…..so should I check that box? Is the “white” category reserved for Europeans and “Americans”? In the US, you have NYC, FL, CA, DC which are pretty cosmopolitan cities. Go to the ‘other’ states, and you’ll find the most bigoted people you can find. I don’t want to generalize, but when I went to TN, people were staring A LOT. And if they hear you speak Spanish…..oh dear. You are a Mexican. I’ve heard so many people here discriminate against other races, African-American included, those “Mexicans”, because you speak Spanish, “those Chinese” because you look Asian, “those Taliban” because you look Middle-Eastern. Please. Argentinians are no different, they just tell it to you in your face, they don’t talk behind your back. That’s why so many people hate us, we are a blunt bunch. And about the staring…..Argentinians STARE! I think it’s an Italian thing. They don’t just stare at people of different races, they stare at everybody, and they pick everyone appart, from their physical characteristics to the clothes they are wearing. Don’t take Argentinians too seriously, it’s a complex, ridiculous culture, try to understand it. And I agree with others here, that mainly the discrimination comes from a social thing, more than a racial thing. And yes, you can be white for all you want, and yet may be called “black”, or “negro/a” it’s just the loose way Argentinians use words.
Moreover, if a person from Bolivia, Peru, Chile, etc is born in Argentina, they may be called “cabeza” but they are still Argentinian.It is not the same for people in the US, and various European countries. In Italy, if you are not of Italian descent, you may get a “resident” status, but are not considered Italian (or even a citizen). In the US, you may be born here, but you are always categorized as Hispanic-American, African-American, Asian-American and what not. Unless you are white, you are not really “American”. Keep that in mind

By: JP

JP — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:55:14 +0000

I am a white-skinned (or more accurately, “blotchy pink” skinned) male, and I greatly enjoyed Kholofelo’s post. I do disagree, however, with the implication of her statement that “being black and racism are as inextricably linked as Yin and Yang”. Racism is far from exclusively the prerogative of white against black, even though I can understand how a black African or Afro American might feel that it was. I was once told by a man from Bougainville (extremely dark-skinned islanders from New Guinea) that “whites are OK and blacks are OK, but these brown people cause all the problems”. I was also told by a Vietnamese woman that she regarded races with a lot of body hair (meaning me!) as being closer to the monkeys in evolutionary terms than the smooth. Some of the most directly stated, disparaging remarks I have ever heard directed against blacks generally came from a Japanese mouth. And I doubt that the Jews in Europe 70 years ago would agree that blacks are the only targets of racism.
The good news is that racism does seem to disappear when people of different races gain experience of each other in a liberal and civil environment that encourages mixing. At least, that seems to be the case here in Australia. The more people mix together, the more obvious it becomes that these small differences in physical characteristics are entirely trivial compared with our common humanity.