The Study of Racialism

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2992 }

For those who love salsa and the issue of race in Latin America:

Du Bois' Double Consciousness versus Latin America Exceptionalism: JoeArroyo, Salsa and Negritude
By Mark Q. Sawyer (in PDF format)

http://www.polisci.ucla.edu/faculty/sawyer/DuBois.pdf

From the introduction:

It has been tempting for observers to use DuBois’ ideas of double consciousness to contrast U.S. race relations from those in Brazil and Cuba. In those cases, DuBois’ theory becomes a paradigmatic representation of the inability of the United States to accept US black’s basic humanity, while the obvious patriotism of blacks in places like Cuba and Brazil becomes a clear sign that racial politics there differ in important ways that contradict DuBois’ proposition (Glasco 1992). However, I will contend in this essay that both the positions of blacks in Latin America and the United States are more nuanced both on the ground and as they relate to DuBois’ theory of consciousness than most readings would allow for. By not applying DuBois to racial politics in Latin America we obscure the struggles of Afro-Latinos for political, cultural, social, and economic equality and misread the legacy of black US politics. I propose that the elegance of the construction of double consciousness is capable of capturing the differing dimensions of inclusion and exclusion in Latin America and the U.S.. By invoking DuBois’ Double Consciousness in relation to Latin American racial politics we are able to reconnect Latin America to the African Diaspora and build a bridge for critical engagement of black politics in Latin America. Consequently, I also argue that denying the existence of double consciousness in Latin America obscures the struggles of African descended peoples in Latin America and leaves little possibility for understanding assertions of black identity and challenges to racial oppression and inequality.
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oevega · Posted: Sun 18 Mar 2007 13:48 Post subject:

I just don't believe Du Bois, a leading figure in Afrocentrism with a heavy political agenda behind, has anything to do with Latin America at all.
I bet, he does even know, Blacks in Latin America are a minority, including in Brazil.

Omar

Fledgist · Posted: Sun 18 Mar 2007 19:20 Post subject:

oevega · Posted: Mon 19 Mar 2007 01:17 Post subject:

The problem your friend has not realize is that the struggle in Latin America has been between poors and rich, rather than between Blacks and Whites. If he does not realize that, I believe he is losing his time.

Omar