Critical Geographies of Latinamerica

For instance, there is increasing evidence suggesting that differences in racial relations within and between the social context of the researcher and a given Latin American country or locality, informs the research encounter in multiple and unpredictable ways. One consequence of differing racial histories and imaginaries is that white North American researchers find it difficult to see the ways in which racism operates in Latin America. According to Bonnett (2000, p. 51), the seemingly fluid systems of racialization in Latin American countries mask the ways in which “whiteness remains the most important element in the organization of racial identity” (see also Wade, 1997).

In part, their arguments rested on the grounds that indigenous peoples had the option of becoming ladinos (an identity category predicated upon being non-indigenous) by simply abandoning their native tongue and style of dress.^{, 9} And yet, ladino or mestizo [mixed-race] racial formations are premised upon and reproduce the superiority of whiteness as “key to, and symbol of, social and economic ascendancy” (Bonnett, 2000, p. 51; see also Bianchi et al., 1999). In a very different case, Warren (2000) argues that “white comfort” and white privilege in Brazil leads many white researchers to become invested in the belief that Brazil is a “racial democracy”. Consequently, the ways in which Brazil's racial democracy privileges whites in everyday life is obscured.

In part, their arguments rested on the grounds that indigenous peoples had the option of becoming ladinos (an identity category predicated upon being non-indigenous) by simply abandoning their native tongue and style of dress.^{, 9} And yet, ladino or mestizo [mixed-race] racial formations are premised upon and reproduce the superiority of whiteness as “key to, and symbol of, social and economic ascendancy” (Bonnett, 2000, p. 51; see also Bianchi et al., 1999). In a very different case, Warren (2000) argues that “white comfort” and white privilege in Brazil leads many white researchers to become invested in the belief that Brazil is a “racial democracy”. Consequently, the ways in which Brazil's racial democracy privileges whites in everyday life is obscured.

critical geographies of latinamerica

juanita sundbergq