Introduction
The issues facing black Americans are extensive and strenuous, with years of colonization and discrimination plaguing black communities for generations to come. These ideals take form in segregation and oppressive acts that work to keep down generations of black and brown people. Yet many times we may forget or lose sight of the true expanse of slavery causing the spread of Afro-descendent peoples around the world from such an act. My own family in Colombia tells me stories of racial discrimination and oppression faced by black populations in a seemingly quite diverse area of the world. The issues facing Afro-Latinos and Latinas alike at times may be overshadowed or thrown in with the issues faced by indigenous and farming communities. With many of my own family not finishing or struggling to finish secondary schooling (GED or equivalent) and hearing stories deeply rooted in casual racism I see how important it is to begin the discussion around the issues facing the black and Afro-decedent populations in Latin and South America.
It is my belief that developed countries should explicitly take into consideration the needs of black and Afro-descent communities in South America. The needs of black communities at times can be misrepresented among the needs of lower-income and poor communities in South America. While Indegiouns and farmer communities many of the times will struggle with land rights, government mismanagement of recourse allocation, water rights, and much more. Afro-Latino communities combat inferior education, higher rates of maternal mortality rates, and poverty. This is not to say many of these issues do not overlap with poor farmers and/or ingenious communities, the solutions are the ones that remain individual and carefully considered when addressing each community.
With over 130 million people identifying as Afro-descended in South America, it is the continent with the second highest concentration of Afro-descent people in the world. Considering this, it is surprising when looking at data and statics on the disproportionate issues facing these black communities. Over 81% of Nicaragua’s black population with limited access to clean water and a mortality rate among Afro-descendant women triple that of the overall maternal mortality rate when compared to other marginalized groups, and these are only a few examples of the issues facing black people in South America (Davis, 2006). There is a strong and immediate concern to be had for the Afro-descendent population in South America to be individually considered when looking at issues concerning the development of South American countries and the needs of their low-income citizens. A study conducted by the UN looking at the social development of afro-decedent children in Latin America found that “In this sense and considering the population aged 15 years and over in Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay, the unemployment rate of Afro-descendants around 2016 was significantly higher than that of non-Afro descendants in all cases. The most pronounced gap was observed in Ecuador, followed by Uruguay, Panama, and Brazil. In addition, in all countries considered, unemployment rates were significantly higher among women of African descent (Abramo & Ragel,2019).” The United Nations itself acknowledges the severe economic and social issues facing black communities in Latin America yet very little of the true nature and history of what has plagued the Afro-descendant population has been highlighted in major media. Fighting discrimination both in the workplace and while trying to enter the workforce unemployment rates are much higher than non-Afro descendent people, an almost direct school-to-prison pipeline, and disproportionate incarceration rates black communities in Latin American face severe racial discrimination from both the police and the state. With protests taking formation in Brazil, the country with the highest percentage of Afro-descent people in South America, concerning the discrimination and oppression felt by black communities as recently as 2021 there has still been little to no change to the overwhelming issue at hand (BBC, 2021). The need for more historical and global education about Afro-Latino people is imperative for not only the development of black populations in Latin American countries but the world as a whole.
Colonization and Eurocentric views have caused the belief amongst developed countries that the needs of black communities are not individual from the needs of indigenous or rural communities. This is not to say the needs of these other communities do not overlap, it is to say that true equity looks much different than equality. Each community needs to have equal rights and the ability to grow, but getting them may need to be addressed differently for each group. The history and long-term effects of colonization have come to affect the specific needs of each community. And these needs should come to be examined and combed through carefully to truly assess the proper way to assist each group’s needs. The recognition of racist and discriminatory practices or systems that have been put in place is a necessary first step toward societal change. With more and more non-profits and initiatives appearing every day, the needs of the Afro-decedent and black populations in South America should not be forgotten in the chaos.
Works Cited
Abramo, L., & Rangel, M. (2019, November 26). Children of African descent in Latin America. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.cepal.org/en/notes/children-african-descent-latin-america
BBC. (2021, May 14). Black Brazilians protest against racism and police violence. BBC News. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57112382
Davis, D. (2006). Latin America: Afro-descendants – refworld. State Of the World Miniorties. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4795b32e1f.pdf
Demographics of Nicaragua. Nicaragua.com. (2020, January 17). Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.nicaragua.com/culture/demographics/
Las Personas Afrodescendientes de América Latina viven en condiciones muy desiguales que repercuten en su salud y bienestar, según UN Estudio de La Ops. OPS/OMS | Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (2021, December 3). Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.paho.org/es/noticias/3-12-2021-personas-afrodescendientes-america-latina-viven-condiciones-muy-desiguales-que
