Comments on: Real Madrid star upholds Spain’s commitment to racism

By: Stavros

Stavros — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:02:07 +0000

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???

By: K.

K. — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:17:53 +0000

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.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:03:16 +0000

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.

By: Notgoingtospainnow

Notgoingtospainnow — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:27:44 +0000

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.

By: Notgoingtospainnow

Notgoingtospainnow — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 02:49:31 +0000

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.

By: min

min — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:59:04 +0000

Comment removed – please no racism on the site folks. It’s not that kind of place.

By: min

min — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:48:22 +0000

Comment removed.

By: notgoingtospain

notgoingtospain — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:29:45 +0000

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.