Blackness in a White Nation: The Racialization Process in Argentina

"No hay negros en Argentina!" is a common phrase used to explain Argentina's lack of a Black population. However, the word "negro" is a popular label used to affectionally describe loved ones or negatively reference the poor. Whether used as a term of endearment or of offense "negro" applies to anyone who physically does not fit Argentina's definition of whiteness. This presentation delves into the racialization of blackness and the making of a national identity. It examines Argentina's black history, the legacy of abolition, and the manifestation of anti-blackness.