Buenos Aires Travel Forum

I heard Argentina is extremely racist, which is why I posed this question.

My skin color is basically the same as Obama's, and I have the same background. 50/50 white black mix.

Thanks.

welcomemark

first time i heard that, i guess the same as in the USA.

troll...

Argentina isn't particularly racist. A certain type of Argentinians may have some not so charming views on imigrants from other Latinamerican countries. All countries in world. But if you don't plan to drink in seedy bars you chances of meeting people like that are slim - much like anywhere else in the world.

In general I think Argentinians are very welcoming of tourists even if there in certain parts of Buenos Aires appears to me more North Americans and Europeans than locals. Personally I can remember any incidents when I have spand time or gone out with Africanamericans in Argentina and it would surproce me if you did.

So don't worry and enjoy Argentina!

That should have been CAN*T remember

And guys im not trolling. Was a honest question. If you google argentina racism, they have several sources that indicate a strong amount of racism from people who live there. One asian girl was saying they called her a chino all the time, and that in the mall the people would pretend to talk chinese.

I thought Argentina was a country of mixed people so I assumed I wouldn't have a problem, but apparently its most Euro White transplants.

Often Argentinians address people describing what they see. So an Asian might be adressed 'Chino/a', someone blonde 'Rubio/a' (or even 'Russo/a'), someone black or dark skinned 'negro/a', someone slightly overweight 'gordo/a' etc. I would put that down to a certain form rather than racism or bad manners. The thing in the mall was obviously in very bad taste, but there are idiots anywhere in the world.

You find differing levels of racism in most countries in the world, even in La Belle France. The current Argentine population is pretty close to 100% European descent. But as a culture where you would experience overt forms of racism I don't think you would be subjected to that as a tourist. There have been several posts in the past from African American tourists on VT and none that I recall reported any issues. In most South American countries it seems that the Indigenous peoples are more likely to suffer overt forms of racism.

In my experience anyone that is obviously an extranjero gets a stare on the street, but only because they are more interested in how you are dressed. As someone that is obviously a tourist and with a different appearance you might get a double once over. But I think it highly unlikely you would at any point you would be subjected to offensive treatment.

Suerte

SAM

I would say just the opposite - a lot of people may be more interested to know you since it may be obvious that you are not from Argentina. Matter of fact, it reminds me of some Argentine friends telling me about their first trip to Los Angeles. They were two Argentine girls and when they quickly made a black friend, they were snapping pictures left and right because they were so excited. Anyway, I can assure you that Argentines will quickly make a distinction between a dark American as opposed to a dark Bolivian or Brazilian, for example. I highly doubt you will have any problems.

Just come and see.

I agree with everyone above. You will have no problems in Argentina. The occasional stare may come more from the fact that there are very few (as in, hardly any) negros in Argentina. Of the very few that I did meet there, the majority were African refugees.

Yeah. I was surprised when I was looking up the demographics that it was almost all white, especially in a South American country. I was assuming your country was similar in makeup to Brazil, where I would actually be the majority since it's a racially mixed majority.

Buenos Aires looks good though. I'll check it out when I'm down there.

There are up to 30 % of people in Argentina with black genes, from those slaves bought to the portuguese traders for the Spanish colonnies. But there are not many investigations on this,and only in recent times the issue has been raised to fill up the lack of information on our cultural roots.

there are indians too
http://www.native-languages.org/argentina.htm

but in the provinces, in BA you hardly see any. So no problems to go there.

What you hear about racism it is not true. Come to Argentine and see by yourself. Have a nice day.

I have never had the impression that Portenos are especially racist, although I have heard examples of such obnoxious behaviours. Indeed, one expat blogger tends to think that it is rampant (while also pointing out that there are anti racism laws in force) and gives an example from one of the more popular tourist haunts , La Brigada, http://www.saltshaker.net/20060121/the-far-east-steak.

I am from Argentina and even though we are very racist towards people within our country, curiously we really like black people!
We haven't had so much influence from blacks as we have almost none, therefore if you are black and whatever you like (men or women) you will probably be amazed how welcomed you will be unless, you behave in an arrogant manner.
if that's not the case, you won't want to leave the country and you will definetely ahve a lot of success knowing and being helped by everybody.