Yashar-RaceMatterLatin-2015

Overview of Race and Ethnicity in Latin American Politics

  • Author: Deborah J. Yashar

  • Source: Foreign Affairs, March/April 2015

Historical Context of Indigenous Rights

  • Rigoberta Menchu: Received Nobel Prize in 1992 for promoting indigenous rights; indicative of broader political changes.

  • Indigenous movements emerged in the 1980s and 1990s across Latin America (Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico).

  • Reforms included constitutional amendments recognizing indigenous people and laws supporting bicultural education and affirmative action.

Shifts in Racial and Ethnic Identity

  • Underlying historical forces: indigenous empires, colonialism, African slave trade.

  • Latin American governments historically promoted national unity and racial mixing, suppressing ethnic distinctions.

  • Racial identity in Latin America is fluid; individuals may identify differently based on context (e.g., indigenous at home, mestizo at school).

Continued Marginalization

  • Despite civil representation, indigenous and Afro-descendant communities face ongoing economic and political disadvantages:

    • Higher poverty rates and mortality compared to white counterparts.

    • Lack of tradition in identity politics hampers group mobilization.

The Myth of Unity

  • Independence movements (early 19th century) led by colonizers, emphasizing national unity and downplaying racial differences.

  • Contrasts with U.S. legislation that codified racial inequality.

  • Latin American ideas of national identity incorporated mixed-race ideals, celebrated in various forms (e.g., "the cosmic race").

  • Various categories (mestizo, zambo, mulatto) emerged as mixed heritage became common.

Impact of Economic Policies

  • Corporatist regimes aimed at class-based reform often ignored racial and ethnic diversity, leading to systemic inequalities persisting among black and indigenous populations.

  • Labor and welfare programs unintentionally strengthened rural indigenous communities.

Transition to Neoliberalism

  • 1980s and 1990s neoliberal reforms led to a decline in state support for indigenous communities.

  • Loss of access to land and economic resources prompted mobilization along ethnic lines:

    • Increased demands for official recognition of ethnic diversity and indigenous rights.

Contemporary Movements and Recognition

  • The 1990s saw growing indigenous protest movements with demands for constitutional recognition and rights.

  • Global support from international organizations like the UN bolstered these movements.

  • Many nations have reformed constitutions to recognize ethnic diversity and communal properties.

Conclusion: Challenges Ahead

  • Despite advances, Afro-descendants remain politically less mobilized than indigenous groups.

  • Recent affirmative action policies (e.g., Brazil's 2012 law) signal progress but still require sustained effort.

  • Latin America’s diverse identities demand ongoing political engagement to address lingering inequalities in wages, health, and education.