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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience (4507 Views)
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Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by chrisxxx(m): 4:04pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Tens of millions of black Africans were forcibly removed from their homelands from the 16th century to the 19th century to toil on the plantations and farms of the New World. This so-called “Middle Passage” accounted for one of the greatest forced migrations of people in human history, as well as one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever witnessed. Millions of these helpless Africans washed ashore in Brazil -- indeed, in the present-day, roughly one-half of the Brazilian population trace their lineage directly to Africa. African culture has imbued Brazil permanently and profoundly, in terms of music, dance, food and in many other tangible ways. But what about Brazil's neighbor, Argentina? Hundreds of thousands of Africans were brought there as well – yet, the black presence in Argentina has virtually vanished from the country’s records and consciousness. According to historical accounts, Africans first arrived in Argentina in the late 16th century in the region now called the Rio de la Plata, which includes Buenos Aires, primarily to work in agriculture and as domestic servants. By the late 18th century and early 19th century, black Africans were numerous in parts of Argentina, accounting for up to half the population in some provinces, including Santiago del Estero, Catamarca, Salta and Córdoba. In Buenos Aires, neighborhoods like Monserrat and San Telmo housed many black slaves, some of whom were engaged in craft-making for their masters. Indeed, blacks accounted for an estimated one-third of the city’s population, according to surveys taken in the early 1800s. Slavery was officially abolished in 1813, but the practice remained in place until about 1853. Ironically, at about this time, the black population of Argentina began to plunge. Historians generally attribute two major factors to this sudden “mass disappearance” of black Africans from the country – the deadly war against Paraguay from 1865-1870 (in which thousands of blacks fought on the frontlines for the Argentine military) as well as various other wars; and the onset of yellow fever in Buenos Aires in 1871. The heavy casualties suffered by black Argentines in military combat created a huge gender gap among the African population – a circumstance that appears to have led black women to mate with whites, further diluting the black population. Many other black Argentines fled to neighboring Brazil and Uruguay, which were viewed as somewhat more hospitable to them. Others claim something more nefarious at work. It has been alleged that the president of Argentina from 1868 to 1874, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, sought to wipe out blacks from the country in a policy of covert genocide through extremely repressive policies (including possibly the forced recruitment of Africans into the army and by forcing blacks to remain in neighborhoods where disease would decimate them in the absence of adequate health care). Tellingly, Sarmiento wrote in his diary in 1848: “In the United States… 4 million are black, and within 20 years will be 8 [million]…. What is [to be] done with such blacks, hated by the white race? Slavery is a parasite that the vegetation of English colonization has left attached to leafy tree of freedom.” By 1895, there were reportedly so few blacks left in Argentina that the government did not even bother registering African-descended people in the national census. The CIA World Factbook currently notes that Argentina is 97 percent white (primarily comprising people descended from Spanish and Italian immigrants), thereby making it the “whitest” nation in Latin America. But blacks did not really vanish from Argentina – despite attempts by the government to eliminate them (partially by encouraging large-scale immigration in the late 19th and 20th century from Europe and the Near East). Rather, they remain a hidden and forgotten part of Argentine society. Hisham Aidi, a lecturer at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, wrote on Planete Afrique that in the 1950s, when the black American entertainer Josephine Baker arrived in Argentina, she asked the mixed-race minister of public health, Ramon Carilio: “Where are the Negroes?” In response, Carilio joked: “There are only two -- you and I.” As in virtually all Latin American societies where blacks mixed with whites and with local Indians, the question of race is extremely complex and contentious. “People of mixed ancestry are often not considered ‘black’ in Argentina, historically, because having black ancestry was not considered proper,” said Alejandro Frigerio, an anthropologist at the Universidad Catolica de Buenos Aires, according to Planete Afrique. “Today the term ‘negro’ is used loosely on anyone with slightly darker skin, but they can be descendants of indigenous Indians [or] Middle Eastern immigrants.” AfricaVive, a black empowerment group founded in Buenos Aires in the late 1990s, claimed that there are 1 million Argentines of black African descent in the country (out of a total population of about 41 million). A report in the Washington Post even suggested that 10 percent of Buenos Aires’ population may have African blood (even if they are classified as “whites” by the census). "People for years have accepted the idea that there are no black people in Argentina," Miriam Gomes, a professor of literature at the University of Buenos Aires, who is part black herself, told the Post. "Even the schoolbooks here accepted this as a fact. But where did that leave me?" She also explained that almost no one in Argentina with black blood in their veins will admit to it. "Without a doubt, racial prejudice is great in this society, and people want to believe that they are white," she said. "Here, if someone has one drop of white blood, they call themselves white." Gomes also told the San Francisco Chronicle that after many decades of white immigration into Argentina, people with African blood have been able to blend in and conceal their origins. "Argentina's history books have been partly responsible for misinformation regarding Africans in Argentine society," she said. "Argentines say there are no blacks here. If you're looking for traditional African people with very black skin, you won't find it. African people in Argentina are of mixed heritage." Ironically, Argentina’s most famous cultural gift to the world – the tango – came from the African influence. "The first paintings of people dancing the tango are of people of African descent," Gomes added. On a broader scale, the “elimination” of blacks from the country’s history and consciousness reflected the long-cherished desire of successive Argentine governments to imagine the country as an “all-white” extension of Western Europe in Latin America. “There is a silence about the participation of Afro-Argentines in the history and building of Argentina, a silence about the enslavement and poverty,” said Paula Brufman, an Argentine law student and researcher, according to Planete Afrique. “The denial and disdain for the Afro community shows the racism of an elite that sees Africans as undeveloped and uncivilized.” © Copyright 2018 Newsweek Media Group 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by okeyfineboy(m): 4:19pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
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Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by debaj10: 4:23pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
helelekuele! werimbidis?! |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by debaj10: 4:23pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Argentina, loun loun! anden? wii dis long atiku giv u lyt?! dis op sef… ![]() |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by legitnow: 4:38pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
chrisxxx: Or perhaps, they are so few because the Spanish concentrated on Latin America and did not have much colony in Africa. Also, perhaps the bulk of black spanish slave were concentrated up North in Colombia as opposed to down south Argentina. This does not disprove any of the assertion of your essay but could provide valuable explanation for y they are so few. 2 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by legitnow: 4:40pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
chrisxxx:Mind you a similar tactics is presently being used on Black Colombians today as we speak in Colombia. Maybe in another 100 years, somebody will ask wat happen to Black Colombians. 3 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by BeingFrank(m): 4:44pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
This Is The Power Of History. It Is Said, The Truth Crushed To The Ground, Shall Rise To Live Again. History Helps To Water Such Seeds. Africa Was Developing At Its Own Pace, B/4 The Exploitation By The Europeans. Think Of Average Nigerians That Travel Out For Studies With The Whites, How Do They Perform? Excellently. Our Problem Is Directionless Of Our Governments And Direct Or Indirect Influence Of The Whites On Our Government. These Discrimination And Stigmatization Of The Black Race, Will Cease When We Start Devicing Tools To Solve Our Problems. I Always Wish Our Politicians Realise That No Matter How Much They Loot Abroad, The Whites Still See Them As Blacks And Rightly As Fools. I'm Encouraging All Blacks Out There, To Think Inwards, Be Creative, Contribute Positively To Your Societies. Time Is All The Equation Demands, Technology Shall Thrive In Africa. Whenever I Look At The Nigerian Entertainment Industry, I Know That Nigerians Have The Potentials. Never Give Up On Yourself. 2 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by zombieHUNTER: 4:58pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Black people are just utter useless Look at Nigeria today I could remember when a dollar was equivalent to 135 naira.... Today what is obtainable... Yet the black man is not on the street protesting 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by KAHBOOM: 5:09pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Chai! Blacks don suffer for dis world and the most annoying tin be say we no wan get sense ![]() 5 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by chrisxxx(m): 6:13pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
I was wandering why no black man has ever played for Argentina. 4 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by deleo16(m): 6:39pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Front page material 6 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by LaudableXX: 6:44pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
More info on the black population in Argentina: Afro-Argentines of Buenos Aires, 1908. Well into the 19th century, mining and agriculture accounted for the bulk of economic activity in America. African slave labor held the advantage of having already been exposed to European diseases through geographical proximity, and African laborers readily adapted to the tropical climate of the colonies. In the case of Argentina, the influx of African slaves began in the colonies of the Rio de la Plata in 1588. |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by adetoya234: 7:07pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Interesting. 2 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by BelovedBuhari(m): 7:15pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Sorry I remembered you are from Kazakhstan. zombieHUNTER: 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by zombieHUNTER: 7:17pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
BelovedBuhari: Defender of corruption |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by selemempe: 7:34pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
zombieHUNTER:1 japanese yen is just 3 naira |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by zombieHUNTER: 7:50pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
selemempe: Defenders of mediocrity are on the forum 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by mrbyron(m): 8:37pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Argentina is still a no go area for blacks till today. If you find your self there by any chance, locate the nearest airport and vamoose. Don't bother if you leave your shoes behind. It's not a rich country anyway so you probably don't have a good reason to be there in the 1st place. 3 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by selemempe: 8:56pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
zombieHUNTER:read my old posts bro |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by acenazt: 9:35pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
Mtcheeeeew op. The Racist Argentines Gathered all the blacks thw could find,bounded dem and dumped them at sea. |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by Rossikki: 9:38pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
zombieHUNTER: So as a black person, you believe you are "utterly useless"? Hope you don't transmit your self hatred to your kids. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by mytime24(f): 11:19pm On Jun 17, 2018 |
"Don't expose your success too quickly in life".. I learnt that from playing WHOT... Once you just say LAST CARD, you will see your enemies coming out of the woods... You'll just be hearing PICK2,GENERAL MARKET,HOLD ONE , etc.." As if they never had such weapons before. Be wise. 3 Likes |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by BlackAdam55(m): 2:43am On Jun 18, 2018 |
.. 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by ashjay001(m): 5:44am On Jun 18, 2018 |
zombieHUNTER: Argentina, had a president, in 1840! ![]() U're tryna compare that with Nigeria, that started as late as 1960 ![]() 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by MartinCorridon: 6:56am On Jun 18, 2018 |
zombieHUNTER: Why are YOU not on the streets protesting. Don't limit your chest-beating to ONLINE rants. You are making the stereotype true; giving it credence ![]() |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by caprini1: 8:07am On Jun 18, 2018 |
chrisxxx:Juan Sebastian Veron 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by wristbangle: 8:30am On Jun 18, 2018 |
caprini1: But he is mixed bro. |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by chrisxxx(m): 8:36am On Jun 18, 2018 |
caprini1:Thanks I remember. But the lag behind when compared with other South American countries. 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by Nobody: 8:53am On Jun 18, 2018 |
This history we don't study in Nigeria is really affecting us. 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by Mustay(m): 9:58am On Jun 18, 2018 |
Argentina’s “self-image coexists with continued manifestations of racism. The same article explains that when the Argentine soccer team was to play either the Brazilian or Nigerian team in the Olympic finals, a sports newspaper ran the headline, ‘Bring on the Monkeys.’ ” This is a very interesting topic. The little I know about them is that there's a hidden system of blackout and somehow it affects the population. The Argentine will tell you that they ended slavery long before Brazil so you can't see much blacks there. For example, the black woman could be typically seen as a LovePeddler or Brazilian - she can be easily assaulted on the streets but this could just be fetishism too. There's even a phrase that the black man is Brazil's problem, so they assume that such person must be Brazilian. Such goes a long way to let you know the issues they have. It doesn't mean the average Argentine is racist but it's the same with what would happen in an African community that has 99% black people, they'll simply stare at any foreigner because the skin color is different. What you can't take away from them is that they're nationalistic in nature. They're proud of themselves and consider themselves superior (not just to blacks alone but to everyone else). They have a lot of issues with military rule, unemployment and the economy in general, so maybe their lack of prosperity has not magnified their society as we would want to see. I have read accounts of people who have traveled there as blacks but there's one thigh in general, have fun visiting than living there. Who knows, in 200 years time, things may change and more blacks will migrate there as the world integrates more. 1 Like |
Re: Blackout: How Argentina ‘eliminated’ Africans From Its History And Conscience by Rossikki: 10:11am On Jun 18, 2018 |
androidroot:So true. It has caused us to become loving adorers of white people, and made us ignorant of their dangerous and hateful antecedents. 1 Like |
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