Job Discussion Forums

YanquiQuilme�o · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 122 Location: Quilmes, Argentina

I have two friends who are black who are thinking about visiting me here in Argentina. I still haven't seen a black person since I've been here. Most of my students have never met a black person. Any black people on this message board who can talk about their experience in Argentina? Are people just curious when they see black people, or do you encounter a lot of discrimination? I was just wondering.

I want them to come visit me and have a great time, but I have no idea what things will be like for them here in Quilmes.

sqwerl · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Buenos Aires

i ahve only seen a handful.
My portuguese teacher is black though and I have a friend who is too.

My friend says he gets discriminated against in clubs sometimes, but not sure if that is true or not. He has a ton of friends, but he is a really sociable guy. I doubt there would be any problems

carlos-england · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:10 am Post subject:

I remember going to club niceto in Palermo
and going to the 'Jamaican reggae night' and it struck
me that unlike the reggae nights they have in clubs in
the UK, there was no black people. Not one at this reggae
night though the club was full of people dancing.

Lets face facts here, there is racism everywhere and
you will never be able to shield your friends away from every
moron out there wherever you lived but I think Argentina would be a good place for them where they wouldn't get hassled due to the colour of
their skin.

REDLEY · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:52 am Post subject:

hola...

People is curious, they look...(stare) african american cos they are not used to see them, specially children...but people here stare everything...fat , tall, whatever...

I think they wont face any open confrontation...I mean, there are racists but they keep their comments to themselves.

If I were them....I would definitely visit you....I wouldnt let any potential jerk keep me from enjoying a trip in Argentina.

Chauchas.

carlos-england · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:41 am Post subject:

REDLEY · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:

actually...i was trying to say that children are the ones that look ... not that quilme�os friend where children :O

BTW Its hot today! Dont you love it !!! ??? I really like spring and summer...so hot and sticky

Maria Kirby · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 56

I just had to join in because I was teaching English in Madrid till July of this year and I've been in BsAs since Aug also teaching English and I must say, in Madrid, the same thing happened, the Spanish loved to stare, period, staring, staring and more staring! Afro Americans were stared at and looking back, all the academias (institutos) I worked for had no AfroAmerican teachers. These two countries will have a lot of similarities, Spain being Argentina's "Madre Patria" . It all seemed pretty harmless though, so there you go my 2 cents worth.

hasta luego,

Maria

nomadamericana · Joined: 18 Dec 2004 Posts: 146 Location: Minneapolis, MN

I had a friend that lived it Jujuy (in Northern Argentina... near Bolivia) and he left Argentina because he was discriminated against and blamed for a lot of stuff he didn't do just because he was an easy target. I would say BA is different... and even where I lived in Argentina (Resistencia)... there were a few black people (A family from Chicago and a few Brazilians) but people didn't really have an issue and they just assumed they were from Brazil and didn't harass them in any way.

So... as long as your friends don't go to Jujuy to hang out or live I think they will be fine. And of course the Argentines will stare... as they usually stare at anything that is in any way different... your friends should be fine.... just tell them about the staring before they get here.

ewhitlock · Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

I am African American and have been to Buenos Aires several times in the past couple of years.

First, most people think I am from Brazil. How do I know this? Because strangers on the street just come up to me and ask "Sois brasileiro?" No one has ever assumed that I am an American. And they generally seem disappointed when I say that I am.

Second, people do stare a little bit. There just aren't that many Black people around. I stare too when I see another person with dark skin because it is so unusual.

Third, I have never a someone say or do something that I thought was racists and believe me - I am always on the look out! Taxis stop for me, I get treated respectfully in restaurants, people are generally friendly, etc. etc.

Outside of BA, I've been to Bariloche and to Iguazu and I have to say that my experiences were similar.

YanquiQuilme�o · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 122 Location: Quilmes, Argentina

I am very glad to hear that, ewhitlock. I appreciate you taking the time to post. Cheers.

serenitywiz · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

Okay here's the deal...

I am looking into teaching english in Latin America. I am currently researching schools, locations, etc. I joined this site to find out as much as I can about this profession from people with experience.
I have found or should I say haven't found a prevalence of black people sharing their experiences. I am btw African American woman too close to 30 for comfort. Laughing

I am a open minded person with a very inquisitive nature. I love to travel and learn about different cultures.
I have never taught but have worked in the education field as administrative support for some years now. I attended college to Associates degree level and have several IT certifications.
Is there any opportunities out there for a person with my background?
I am planning on taking a TEFL certification class due to my total lack of experience in front of a classroom.
From what I have read on the boards Argentina sounds like a great place to live.. I wouldn't want to get there and be dissapointed in the fact that I can't find employment.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

PAZ!