Job Discussion Forums

[Paulie2003]

What other countries of Latin America have an apparent policy of discrimination when it comes to Africans?...There are very few - if any -
living in San Salvador.

[Carina_Cisneros]

True of every central american capital city (very few black people), but there is no need to conclude it is policy based, especially there. In the other central american countries, it is the opposite coast which has the bulk of the black populations; El Salvador lacks this coast, and this history, hence this "people". Though this is not to say they would not be discriminated against were they to relocate to San Salvador...

[refazenda]

I agree with Carina - there are few blacks in El Salvador because it has no Caribbean coast, and hence historically much less contact with blacks.

There are two schools here in ES that have blacks on their staff. I know of no problems with them. There are also black students in the schools - very few, to be sure, but I know of no problems with them. Some are expatriates, but some are also Central American blacks. Finally, I have seen people here whose ancestry might well be mixed, but since the majority of their ancestry is probably mestizo, they have likely blended in with the rest of the population. I hear parts of Mexcio have also largely absorbed their black population

I am not saying there is no discrimination, but I don't think the lack of a large black population automatically should be equated with racism. that is a far stretch.

[refazenda]

I was just thinking; if you are coming from a place where the main dichotomy is between black-white, you should probably try to understand that people don't always think in those terms. Here in El Salvador, I have found the main differences are between native and non-native speakers (i.e. gringos).

Everyone who is non-Spanish speaking is generally considered a gringo. I happen to be in that nebulous category of being someone who does not look like one, and my Spanish is decent, so sometimes I get gringo treatment, other times not. I have been out to eat with co-workers and seen the waiters speak to my co-workers completely in English, then turn to me and address me in Spanish. Go figure. But black-white does not seem to be the standard here.

[Jaelyn]

I actually checked out this post, expecting it to be about how Gringo/as are treated.

Can anyone offer me some examples of how I may be expected to be treated, regionally?

I appear to be very white:blue eyed and very fair. I live in Florida now and can say that, although i don't burn (thank goodness) I've not gotten much darker over the years and I'll never hope to appear to be a native in LA.

I have always wanted dread locks, tho... Anyone have any idea about how that would affect my employment prospects/public impression?

Thanks as always!

[Paulie2003]

I would say that they simply adore rich white folk!!

Actually, (not to sound racist) imported money appears to be the mainstay of at least the Salavadoran economy - why there is at least one village that relies almost solely on money sent back from friends and relatives in the USA.

Come...you'll find the people to be warm and friendly!! I would suggest that you not wear any expensive looking jewelry tho...

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Bubbly]

Here in Colombia I've found that racism and classism work both independently and in conjunction with one another.

Very few people have most of the money, and millions of others share very little money. And since there's not much in the way of social welfare, the public school system isn't good, and the idea of nepotism isn't looked down upon, it's largely impossible for a poor person to raise themselves out of their situation. So, the masses of poor people are looked down upon and for the most part "kept in their place" by the system.

And since colonialism privileged white/lighter skinned people, the people with the money here tend to be white/very light skinned. Last year for example, I was in Bogota for a while, and it was a rarity to see a variety of skin tones in business suits going to work, and in service related jobs there was also an exclusive club but the opposite set of people. And even here on the coast where you see a wonderful mix of hues and shades, at the private school where I teach the same variety is definitely not seen.

However, if you do have money people are happy to take it regardless of your skin tone of course. If financially you can keep up with the Jones, and even better, if you can speak English, you're able to break out of the usually pattern. So, some people would argue that it's not racism at all, but purely an economic issue, but personally I think those things work hand in hand.

[Paulie2003]

I noticed that this little guy's face turns red...is that an indicator?

Actually, the 'race card' issue was played out so effectively during the OJ trials I sincerely doubt that we will ever have the opportunity to witness such a gross twisting of racism and the law again in most of our lives. Money is most definitely a factor - citing the poverty/minority race statistics in the US currently.

I was surprised to see an 'African-San Salvadoran'? for the first time Sunday as he left the first church service. This, if my memory serves me, is the first Negro man (person) that I've seen here, but I'm certain the racism issue has played itself out over and over again through the centuries. The students are certainly aware of this...

"I'm goin' where the sun keeps shinin' thru the pourin' rain..."