Real Madrid star upholds Spain’s commitment to racism
Yes, that’s Sergio Ramos in blackface and a turban
Much like Harry Redknapp asking for money or Cristiano Ronaldo paying a woman after intercourse, casual racism is something that comes naturally to the Spanish. Remember the hilarious joke that welcomed Lewis Hamilton and his “Familly” to the Spanish GP?. How about when the Spanish basketball team and posed for “slit-eye” gesture snap shots prior to the Olympics, and defended it as “appropriate”?
Unfortunately, our European friends have been at it again this Christmas. The Spanish traditionally celebrate los Reyes Magos de Oriente, whereby the three biblical kings visit the houses of children and dish out gifts, like an ethnic triumvirate of Father Christmases.
As part of their continuing quest to maintain ambivalence towards overt racism in society, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos was invited to take part in the most recent Reyes Magos Eve procession, where he donned blackface, a turban and a pimp ring. Oh dear.
Check out another heartwarming picture after the jump…
I’ve never seen an African king in person, but I imagine this is exactly what they look like.
Much love to Vanessa at Kickette for the tip
35 responses so far
Latoya Johnson // January 8, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Eh, you’ve got it a little wrong. PC Police at the Spoiler? Why I never…
Corey // January 8, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Hey, your site is great and all, but I wrote this story up yesterday and got no credit for it here: http://real.theoffside.com/team-news/grapevine-0107.html
I understand its not a big deal but a little consideration next time would be nice, we are both soccer blogs after all. Thanks.
Ryan Bailey // January 8, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Thanks for your comment, Corey.
I’ve never been to your site before, so couldn’t possibly credit you. As you can see above, we have correctly credited our source, a practise The Spoiler strictly adheres to.
Incredibly, it seems that information on this public newsworthy event was available in more places than the Real Offside.
Manuel // January 9, 2009 at 3:35 am
It’s not really that racist. I’m Spanish and culturally our notions as to what constitutes racism are just not the same. Sergio Ramos’ blackface just represents Balthazar the one of the Magi that was black. It just is what it is. For example calling someone “mi negro” (as in my black friend) is a term of endearment used for those of a darker complexion or whites with black hair and dark eyes used much in the same way as “blondie” is. Racial comments also do not imply malice. poking fun at someone’s race as long as it’s done with humor is viewed as okay in Spanish society as long as there’s no violence implied in the action or speech people laugh about it and go back and forth with the jokes. I understand it’s weird and probably hard to grasp from a non-Spanish perspective but it ain’t exactly throwing bananas at the soccer pitch when a black player touches the football as it’s happened in England. Cultural difference is all it is and maybe Spain is just a bit too insular but it really does not come from a bad place.
Jessie // January 9, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Manuel, you have just proved the point that the Spanish, yourself included, ARE indeed racist. You are just oblivious to it. Because you have a homogenous society, you don’t have enough minorities to publicly object and show you the error of your ways. Racism is not only about hatred and violence. Racism is about the majority holding power over a minority, the power to hold the best jobs, the best houses and the best education for their own, excluding the minorities. Racism is also about using that power to “poke fun at” that minority and then justify it as being okay, simply because you decide it is okay, without ever asking a member of that race or minority. Racism is about continually offending one group and rather than considering whether that group has a point, blindly justifying it as part of the majority’s “culture,” as you have done. Racism does not have to come from malice. Most racism comes from ignorance. I am a black person. All black people I know are offended by black face. It is a demeaning portrayal of my people. If I insult you, and you tell me that I have insulted you, what would your feelings be if I replied, “No I haven’t. I didn’t insult you, that’s just how I am.” You know when you have been insulted, whether the offender meant to insult you or not. The insistence that there is no offense when THE ENTIRE WORLD DISAGREES WITH YOU, is even more insulting, and more blindly racist. And you my friend, though through ignorance and not malice, are a racist.
Josie // January 10, 2009 at 8:12 am
Every culture is different and some slack should be allowed… to a point. Countless times in the media and in the general world public various groups have complained about the Spanish behaving in ignorant ways toward non-whites.
Over and over, they seem to just not get it. Black face historically has been connected with slavery and post-slavery. It is considered an insult by the majority of people of color. At the minimum, there is a colonialist condescension involved. Making excuses as was stated above borders on patronizing.
Third world people want to be treated with a benefit of doubt. They want basic respect and consideration. Part of that consideration is making an effort to understand others feelings and backing off. The fact that the Spanish institutions, specifically the sporting institutions still don’t get that they are hurting others indicates a selfishness and lack of empathy.
If the Spanish dislike their northern European neighbors thinking they are better than them because they are “Mediteranean,” then they need to look in the mirror and really think about what they are doing to people darker than themselves.
Habibe // January 11, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Jessie, I’m from Brazil. For us, this is not racism. It’s just a cultural view. So, yours “THE ENTIRE WORLD DISAGREES WITH YOU” is quite selfish.
By the way, in some nations, a “positive finger” means a “middle finger”. Got the point?
Matthijs // January 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I don’t believe that the Spanish, and thus Sergio Ramos, are being racist in this particular case. Im from Holland myself and we have a very similar tradition here with our own ‘Sinterklaas’. Every year Sinterklaas comes on a steamship, riding his white horse, and brings his helpers who are called… ‘Black Pete’s’. Black Pete’s are usually white people with black face paint on, just like Sergio here above. When I tell my friends in America about Sinterklaas’ helpers they wont believe me and accuse me how racist we are, probably cause we’re on a constant high with our liberal drugs policy….Now I dont know if ‘yall’ have ever been to the USA but especially the southern states are some of the most racist places i have been.
.
The thing is that black people here in Holland don’t think it is racist, just like they didn’t think that the chocolate covered marshmellow that litterally translated was called ‘negro kiss’ was racist. (the negro kiss is called simply kiss today, due to the work of a few people, (mosty white) that thought the previous name was an outrage.)
Now im not saying that just because Black Pete has been around for a long time, and therefore has become a tradition, it cant be racist. But if no one is hurt and more importantly not even offended, then i believe an innocent traditional figure like Black Pete or Balthazar that entertains little kids , is not improtant enough to abolish
Josie // January 13, 2009 at 7:55 am
Based upon the European responses thus far, I can see why there are few black people in high ranking positions in government or corporations in these countries.
It is obvious that they are clueless about race relations. If there were plenty of people of color in positions of power in their countries then I could accept most of the comments above and and believe that they should not be taken seriously. But since this is not the case, the above is a symbolic indicator of the dismissal view, or is it a lack of awareness (?) of race relations.
Say what you will of American racism. There are still more opportunities for blacks in America than there is in Europe. I have spoken to many well educated Africans who used to live in Europe and had to leave for the Americas, because they could not move into positions of leadership in European countries despite their hard work and University education.
Europeans seem to be very comfortable with blacks in entertainment or sport roles but not in roles that require intellect or leadership.
The black face symbolism simply illustrates this sad reality.
Dear me // January 27, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I dont see this as racism. For example, lets say that we go to a dress up party and dress like a black guy, with an afro, paint your face black, and wear some clothes of african colour like the jamaican hat. Would this be racism? Let me answer my own question, no it wouldnt! I dont think that the slant eyed gesture also done by the Spanish before the peking olimpics was a racist gesture. If anything its celebrating our differences and not seeing them as a negative but a positive. We accept our differences and not fight about them, we celebrate and embrace, isnt that what the spanish are doing?
Fuerteloco // March 30, 2009 at 9:08 am
why english and americans wants to teach us what is racist and what is not? where’s the racism on sergio ramos? his best friend in real madrid probably is mahammadou diarra… we joke about big ears…big nose…why not about skin? it’s more important?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms1CFqHD8yg
Son: did you know that nerea is black?
Dad: yes, of course
Son: …. me not
i think is a cool ad explaining what we’re talking about
HEY Josie // May 30, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Hey Josie I’m guessing your a black American, Yes? What about Seal & Heidie Klum’s White trash wedding theme?
Robert Downy Jr had black face in Tropic Thunder and the Wayne brothers had White face on for the movie White Chicks. They are all AMERICANS were there huge headlines calling it Racist over there?
geez I don’t know what the fine line of Racism is anymore?…..
fuck it. This is NOT Racist at all I don’t see no malice/evil behind this at all. End of story
Damn Brits/American/English bloggers always blogging about this I don’t see other nations/languages blogging about it. Hey maybe they are the Ones who are most Racist being Race sensitive everything seems to be offensive to them now a days. You do have the issue of N. England vs S. England after all
At first I didn’t understand the saying “multiculturalism destroys nations” but now I do. It’s just causes more problems indeed
I hope Spain Keeps Bullfighting ole FUCK McDonald’s
Josie // May 31, 2009 at 6:03 pm
@HEY Josie
You are quite keen on stereotyping, huh? It appears you have a strong need to label me. That sentence alone tells me more about you than you may have imagined.
Of course, the other examples you give or just as bad. There was plenty of criticism of what Seal and Heidi did. If memory serves, Robert received backlash. The White Chicks film did not become a hit and the film critics panned it pretty bad.
You most certainly have the right to live in your deluded world. That is your individual choice. Just don’t be surprised that you will insult people as you go along. If you should act upon your beliefs, please prepare yourself for the possibility of doing it to a person that will not accept it and you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions.
HEY Josie // June 8, 2009 at 6:37 am
Wut
unbiased and out of this galaxy // June 11, 2009 at 5:06 pm
y can’t we all just get along..
unbiased and out of this galaxy // June 11, 2009 at 5:09 pm
why can’t we all just get along…
Nigerian-American // September 2, 2009 at 10:02 am
Ha ha. Certain of the Spanish are so amusingly ignorant.
@Habibe, are you Brazilian of significant African ancestry? If not, I don’t know that you’re qualified to speak on what is “racist” in Brazil. I’ve been there, by the way. I am a lawyer and visited a semi-fancy restaurant. White people kept looking like they had seen a ghost. Of course, I looked back at them because I was astonished that humans could be so crude. Anyways…
To be fair, the Spanish on this commentary have not engaged in name calling. That being said, ignorance is ignorance. As Josie and Jessie pointed out, the difference between “middle fingers” and “big nose” is that the narrative of slavery and discrimination follows skin. Spanish should be familiar – you guys were big colonizers. I mean, you guys were experts at the game! (even Philipinos have Spanish names)
Anyway, here’s a thought – how about you guys get actually get creative and make fun of…white skin? If its all about pokin fun, how come its always directed at…others? Translucent white skin, plenty of material there if you ask me.
Here’s the rub: you guys don’t get that skin is completely and totally incidental to human beings and their capacity. You buy into your skin as conferring some sort of greater knowledge, benefit and others (particularly black) doing otherwise. It is the only reason you would actually waist your time putting paint on your face for a party. Go to Jamaica and you will see there is more to them than black skin. Go to Asia and there is more to them than narrow eyes. Racist. Ignorance… Or maybe you guys just need to travel out of Spain!
Habibe // September 2, 2009 at 11:24 am
@Nigerian-American, I’m Brazilian, by the way I have African blood in my veins and live in “favela” (for you A.K.A. “slum”) – peharps my Fairly English. For sure, you are not Brazilian, so you are not qualified to speak on Brazilian social issues, right? In Brazil, the major problem is about class discrimination, it’s not about the colour of your skin. And, for God sake, what “Nigerian-American” means? Political correctness? Metaphor of the day: Racism is a two way road.
Nick // November 23, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Hey,
I’ve been living in Spain for 6 months now, and I can say for sure that it’s racist. I’m an Asian American born and raised in New York, and I’ve never seen anything like this. The police stop me and minorities in the street and let all the “white” people pass by; they ask for documents but all they’re really trying to do is molest the minorities. They literally stop buses on the highway and pull out every African or “black” looking person they can find, and search them. They don’t ask, they force. None of the “white” castellanos are pulled out or asked anything. I was hesitant to believe racism existed to this extent until I actually arrived here and I no longer had a name. My name is simply Chino here, because that’s what they call me even though it’s actually Nick. Not a single person has yet to ask me my name or where I’m from.
I also teach English in Madrid, and it has worsened my understanding of racism here. To begin with, my students refer to South Americans as “monkeys.” Don’t even get them started about Africans and how they belong in “the huts they came from.” Their version of history is also a little skewed. My best student, who also attended Harvard University, says that it was better for the South Americans that Spain conquered them, because they “had no civilization, and were climbing in trees before they were conquered.” I teach around 40 very diverse students in different parts of Madrid. My students range from 9 year old children to upper level executives.
For me, though, none of it really matters. I only came to Spain to learn Castellano, and I’m returning to the US with a much more appreciative attitude of the country I call home. I’m considered a human being in the United States, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted again. The US may have had a racist past, but at least we can admit that, critique ourselves, and move on; something Spain seems unwilling or incapable of doing.
TheMrs // November 29, 2009 at 12:54 am
I’m with you Nick. I lived in Barcelona for one year. By far the worst experience of my life. I won’t get into details, but one guy went as far as to physically attack me because I wouldn’t give up my parking space. He was screaming ”Puta Negra” like a psychiatric patient lol. When my husband emerged the coward tried to quickly run away. I don’t know about Spain as a whole, however Barcelona is terrible.
Josie // December 1, 2009 at 1:12 am
Your stories above are some of the stories I have heard about from traveling Americans who are not of European descent. The south american stuff, I have to admit is something I have not heard in such detail before. I have heard about Spaniards putting down central americans such as Mexicans, or Salvadorians, but did not know they were hard on south Americans like Argentinians.
jason // December 17, 2009 at 7:34 pm
im a black guy from london, and i can confirm that spain is certainly racist. i’d moved here several weeks ago working for an american company in southern spain. you can feel the hate everywhere you go, everyday. it’s like stepping back in time. the other day my arm lightly brushed against some woman’s arm and she stopped in her tracks, looked at me with utmost anger and brushed off her arm vigorously like i had the plaque. get on the bus and people will sit next to you only if they have to… if it’s the last seat available. stand at the bus stop and people will disperse. walk into a shop to buy something and they are completely hostile and impatient with you. these people are something else. living here as a foreigner among spanish people you will feel completely isolated. no interest, no concern, like your invisible accept for the dirty looks and abrasive attitudes. turn on spanish television and you’ll see them dressed up in black face on tv commercials like it normal behaviour. what a bizarre country!
Ernie // June 29, 2010 at 10:13 am
I concur w/the sentiment that Spain is one of the most racist places in the world. The only places I’ve lived are America, Israel, Spain, and Korea, and Spain is in a completely different category than the others. I’ve never seen xenophobia such as I’ve seen in Europe as a whole. I was, in fact, treated very well in Spain (even though I’m a person of color; many people there said I looked South-American), but the way I saw even my own Spanish friends treat other people of color was ridiculous. I’ll give them a little leeway for the fact that they exited a horrible dictatorship during their last generation. Younger people are much more kind and accepting. But even amongst them, many if not most, are horribly racist. “I don’t think I’m a racist, so I’m not a racist,” doesn’t really make sense.
bill // December 3, 2010 at 2:17 am
damn, so not only do they dislike non white foreigners.. but they go out of their way to harass them too. They seem so fucking rude… considering theyre the Mexico of Europe.
min // January 18, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Haha Josie, I am so glad that Spain, like you say, ‘knows nothing about race relations’, if that is what is helping it stay as clean as it it. I am from the USA and now live in England, and have never seen a beautiful a country as Spain, so elegant. Hopefully they never buy into this multiculturalism crap. Viva España!
Notgoingtospainnow // January 18, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Well, even though I am bi-racial, I do not like racial ignorance; and of course there will always be those of a certain benightedness such as min.
I was planning on visiting Madrid with my children, who btw look White; but I refuse to go somewhere were someone would possibly assume I am the nanny because I am slightly darker or treat me rudely in front of my children. Until they change their attitude my money shall go elsewhere….so adios Spain!!!
Btw, have been to London and I found it wonderful; Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden….all great and I had a blast and never felt like my skin color was noticed, were I darker, perhaps? Idk…..
Don Cherry // January 19, 2011 at 6:42 am
Blackface isnt a problem in other countries in europe simply because many countries dont have that many black people in central and eastern europe. Maybe its because those countries werent assholes like the french, english, dutch, spanish, portugues and other europeans colonialisst who owned a lot of countries that had black people.
The polish or czechs dont have black (they have but it so random and mainly in big cities) people like the english and french because their black population comes from COLONIES.
Yet many people try to say that not having blacks makes that country racist.
FALSE. A heavy black population is the sign that your country was a colonial shithead that treated humans like private properties. Its a shame England was never punished for centurie of genocides.
As for receiving moral lessons from americans; the country with the biggest xenophobes on the planet and where blacks werent even full fledged human beings until the mid60s, I think their 3 CENTURIES OF SLAVERY (not to mention the anhiliation of indians) disqualifies for life anyone from that country for giving moral lessons.
And having been to England quite often, the racism is there…but tensions are downplayed.
And it goes in each direction.
Racism is not a white thing and its not a black thing: its human nature. Asians are racist like you wouldnt believe towards blacks and blacks are racists towards other races as well (the mexicans are the new blacks on the american totem pole so now theyre everybodys whipping boys).
But racism is not perceived the same in different countries because of many social factors.
In may countries, the Al Jolson blackface isnt considered racist because there isnt the whole baggage of american race relations of the 20th century where being black was dangerous (the KKK seems like a cartoon creation but it wasnt that far back.).
To compare your own cultural baggage with someone elses is truly apples and oranges.
Bottom line: is one of the wise men suppose to be black or not?
I know that a famous spanish painting from the 16th (I think) century by Estevan Murillo entitled Adoration of the Magi has quite a few kings around Jesus and one of the main ones is black. Not Ashley Cole black but Kolo Toure black.
How are you supposed to act this role?
And why cant you? Because of your countries particular historical baggage?
Your problem.
If you think that skin tone is something that cannot be replicated, then Im sure you will be complaining that some churches have a black jesus and the middle eastern christians (that havent been exterminated or fled yet) have a Jesus which is more brown than the one we are used to in the west (the people of the region looked more that version of Jesus).
Should whites be offended that there is a black jesus? Should the blacks be offended by the white jesus?
Ive worked in Japan and Korea for almost 5 years and I can tell you that being a gaijin in Japan is the definition of living racism and discrimination.
Its a universal thing.
No matter how many fairy tales you tell yourself.
Yes, you Notgoingtospain who thinks taht Holland and Sweden are a racial paradise when those are two countries where the racial and religious tensions have resulted in murder and violence. To claim that those two countries are racially wonderful is what happens when you have a free media that doesnt need govt censure to do something they do on their own.
Thats why people can claim that England 2012 will be held in a paradise while the truth is that England is STILL the most violent country in Europe (whats the deal with all the knife play anyways? Its worse than Turkey or Italy.)
Its how you present the information.
notgoingtospain // January 19, 2011 at 2:14 pm
I in no way implied that those countries are racially perfected, there is racism everywhere and I am well aware of the racism in this country, thank you. I am simply stating that when one is on vacation; that I personally would rather enjoy myself even if it is a false picture. Should I live there then that would be something else entirely, now wouldn’t it?
If I go on vacation I want to have fun, I do not want to be treated like a second class citizen. There are places in the USA I avoid due to that reasoning and small minded people I have encountered. Why give my money to someone who will ruin my time off and my children’s experiences? I think not.
However this is not the first I have heard of serious overt racism in Spain; to a dangerous level and I, for one, want a laid back and happy vacation, hence my choice not to go somewhere where I hear, read, watch, etc., there is racism so direct.
The black face, well its got history for Black people as a derogatory message and I guess your having racism against yourself, kind of gives you a glimpse into what people such as myself have faced. Which obviously did not help you become more understanding of why someone may be offended of a stereotype of themselves.
I do not believe all Spanish are racist, but from what friends, this board and others have stated….the ones that are will make it miserable for anyone whom is not White. So I will not go and spend my hard earned money there.
min // January 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Comment removed.
min // January 19, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Comment removed – please no racism on the site folks. It’s not that kind of place.
Notgoingtospainnow // January 20, 2011 at 3:34 am
Ahhhh Min, I am sure you definitely do not look, in the least, European. It has more to do with attitude than with the color of your skin. In fact, I do not think you have even left the USA, outside of your mentally challanged and addled brain, you are probably some little ignorant teen that is upset they are stuck in their crappy world and angry that anyone you deem is lower than you has the money to travel while you are stuck cowering behind your computer.
I bet you do not speak the racist ideals you have anywhere but on the web, because you are a big malingerer.
Oh and you have no clue who my people are……but as cretinous as you are, based on the excrement you type, I seriously doubt other than the color of your skin; that you fit in anywhere. Which is why you are so very acrimonious.
Notgoingtospainnow // January 20, 2011 at 4:12 am
BTW, I have actually lived in Europe and not just in my head, lol, and loved it. I lived in a country where there were maybe 50 non Whites (that’s pushing it) and never once had an issue with racism even in the small towns. I think its Americans with mentality like you, Min, that are spreading your diseased “American style” racism to “civilized” countries (if you have actually moved out of the USA, I seriously doubt your words though). Racism and culturally rich/beautiful/intelligent; do not go together in the normal world and/or with decent people and yes I am saying you are in no way decent, classy and/or cultural. Also why is your screen name of Asiatic leanings when you are such a quote on quote a “European White girl”? Shouldn’t your screen name be”Heil Hitler”? Since your ideologies fit his.
Courtney // March 21, 2011 at 1:48 am
Just tell them how much you adore their local football team and you will get a pass. I know that seems silly and I even think it is but in my experience with the Spanish or Italians in America who are not American, a simple conversation about being a fan of say Real Madrid (whom i love dearly) or Roma or Inter Milan made a difference. I have no idea why. I walked into a shop in Northern New Jersey. The shop was run by Italians from Italy. I was with my Italian-American best friend. They pretty much ignored me until i acknowledged a Roma kit hung from the ceiling. After that i was a family member. I met a Spanish gentleman at Mangos night club on South Beach in Miami and after he found out I was a Real Madrid supporter he invited me to Spain to sit at the Bernabeu with his family. Of course he did not believe I was a true supporter but my knowledge of the team and its history and football in general quickly had him buying drinks for me and my friends. I watched the game versus Atletico Madrid where Marcelo receive monkey chants and it makes me wonder if I really want to travel to Spain and be randomly detained as if I were in Mississippi in 1968. I am of African descent. My family is from the Southern United States originally but I grew up in a big city in Philadelphia. People are prejudice here but it’s not socially acceptable and I went to the best schools and have traveled the country and world with little problem. I went to Bahrain and my fair skinned white counterpart was subject to more problems that I was. So in closing the situation is sad and certainly racist but then again everything is relative to the person who is viewing it. I may go to Spain just for the experience. If I have my history right didn’t the Moors pretty much run Spain at one point? I know their cultural influence at least on architecture and other areas was widespread and then rejected once they were out. Maybe the backlash still exists as does mental slavery in the US. Life is an adventure so I guess I will find out soon.
K. // August 14, 2011 at 11:02 am
I am a white American, and I’ve lived in Spain for a long time. While I love many aspects of Spanish culture, I agree that the Spanish do tend to be shockingly naive about racism and extremely resistant to the notion that a beloved cultural practice (such as donning Blackface for the Epiphany or carnival) or a well-intentioned gesture (such as the footballers posing slant-eyed for the cameras) can have strong racist overtones, even if they aren’t intended that way. This is the most difficult thing for people to understand about racism, I think: that it is possible to do or say something racist without realizing it. And yes, some people will fail to be offended by even the most derogatory gesture, but that doesn’t make the gesture benign, and it doesn’t mean that you should roll your eyes at those who ARE offended. It means you should LISTEN to them and consider their point of view rather then getting defensive.
Blackface is demeaning to Black people for many reasons, the main one being that it has historically been responsible for perpetrating insidious stereotypes about Blacks that continue to dominate popular culture even today. The history of Blackface in Europe and America is not a pretty one. If anyone cares to read up on it, there is a plethora of literature available on the subject. It requires of a bit of thoughtful analysis to understand it’s full implications, but if your main goal is to deepen your understanding of the various racisms that have plagued Europe, Africa, and the Americas for centuries, studying Blackface is as good a place to start as any.
I don’t honestly think there is anything to be gained by pointing the finger at this or that Western country and saying “These people are more racist than those people because of X, Y, and Z,” but in the US, the conversations about race and racism do seem to get a bit farther, whereas in Spain such conversations are always quashed by a defensive, ethnocentric pride that ignores all perspectives but the one that makes the white majority feel better about themselves. There is, however, wisdom to be gained by critiquing one’s own culture, perspective, and positionality. Americans are deeply divided over whether it is a good idea to engage in such autocriticism. Spanish people seem to be united only in their unwillingness to do it at all. And I say all this as someone who loves Spain much more than I love my own country, but even though it is my favorite place in the world, it isn’t perfect by a longshot.
Stavros // November 15, 2011 at 1:47 am
What PC-types cannot seem to realize, is that it is unacceptable (not to mention imperialist) to try and force your own cultural and social norms on different societies who have other sensibilities. The history of the US is radically different to that of Spain in racial issues, the same goes for the UK. If people in the US and the UK are deeply offended by “blackface” then it is their own issue. It is not an issue in southern Europe. It’s as simple as that. When southern Europeans travel in the PC-countries that possess ethnic minorities, then they should respect the customs of those countries, when Americans or British (of any skin color) visit Spain, then they should respect Spanish practice. If they are too sensitive for it, then they can steer clear away. To give a crude example, if I had two lily white blonde daughters, I would avoid strolling with them through the slums of Lagos, simply because I know what the end result would be. I will just avoid it, I would never beg, plead, demand of Nigerians to respect my girls more than they are willing to… Is that clear to the totalitarian PC-crowd???
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