The Turn to Racism and Anti-racism in Latin America

This book highlights the growing mainstream focus on racism and anti- racism in Latin America. It reveals the diverse social transformation projects addressing racism, reflecting a complexity not previously evident. Inspired by a research project involving Indigenous and Black organizations, the chapters in this book explore cases in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, where anti- racist efforts are significant, though not always central to organizational agendas. These chapters share a common theme of valuing varied anti- racist actions and discourses while critically acknowledging the structural, shifting nature of racism. The issues explored are racial visibility, naming racism, racial data, legal rights and recognition, entrepreneurship, mestizo identity, the possibilities of alliances, and racially-aware struggles against class (and gendered) oppression. Though not exhaustive, the chapters provide valuable insights into the antiracist shift in Latin America, offering broader perspectives on global anti- racism efforts. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Ethnic and Racial Studies journal.

Mónica G. Moreno Figueroa is Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, specializing in race, racism, feminist theory, and visual methodologies and applied research collaborations. Recently she researched anti- racism in Latin America and internalized oppression. Currently, she’s developing a research programme focused on global racisms and social transformation.

Peter Wade is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Manchester. He has worked on issues of racial, ethnic, and national identities in Latin America, particularly Colombia, and the construction of biology, genetics, and culture in ideas about race. He recently led a project on anti-racism and participated in a project looking at comics and race in Latin America.