Why does racism exist in Peru?

Discrimination is a much broader issue, it can originate from religious differences, gender, age, etc. The colony was not an egalitarian society, it discriminated based on religious criteria (for example, being a new or old Christian) and legal criteria (slaves-free; Spaniards-Indians). 

Part of the confusion stems from the fact that we consider Spaniards as “whites”, while in the vast majority of documents in Peru such equivalence is not verifiable. Neither being defined as Spanish nor indigenous originated from the color of the skin. There are descriptions of "brown" Spaniards and of Indians with "red" skin; their differences are legal: some came from peninsular ancestors, and the others came from the local population regulated by a different law. 

In the case of slaves, the situation is a little more complex. Little by little, with the passing of European expansion, the black skin color was identified with the inferior through its direct link with slavery. However, cases of mulattoes can be found in better-considered trades: musicians, surgeons, etc., which, without being high-status activities, are clearly better considered than domestic service or agricultural work. 

In addition, there are abundant examples of indigenous elites who were accepted at higher levels of social hierarchies, evidencing the principle that skin color did not automatically denigrate a person.

In recent years, social evolution, the diffusion of education, and economic growth have allowed intense processes of social mobility, reflected, for example, in the new composition of the economic elites and the universal population. We live in a time when skin color no longer clearly identifies each person's place, nor are consumer items restricted to a particular group. 

However, despite the expansion of the market, behaviors marked by racism still persist. The explanation is not simple, in part, there is a racist tradition that consists of denigrating people based on their skin color, without a doubt this is evidence of the limited inclusion through the market. In societies where differences have historically been processed based on skin color, this behavior is not easily eliminated, it is reconstructed, and it reappears; for example, one cannot speak of "race" but today one speaks of "biotype". 

Society admits diversity but a scale of values ​​still persists in which some cultural products are more valuable than others and stereotyped images continue. The last elections have clearly shown us how racial language is present among us and is used when all other controls fail. It is a defense mechanism that we resort to when we lose patience or we are under pressure, it lives within us and can dangerously escape. Racism is a disease that cannot be cured like a disease, it is a chronic disease that we have the obligation to control so that one day, hopefully very soon, it will stop reproducing.

Our comment:

Racism exists in Peru, as in many other countries, due to a complex combination of historical, social, economic, and cultural factors. It's important to note that racism is a deeply rooted issue that affects societies worldwide, and Peru is no exception.

Because of historical factors, Peru has a long history of colonization and slavery as many countries do. During the Spanish colonial period, indigenous people were oppressed and exploited, and African slaves were brought to Peru as laborers. These historical injustices have had a lasting impact on social hierarchies and power dynamics, leading to racial discrimination and prejudice. There are many more factors similar to this one, like social and economic factors, cultural factors, and lack of awareness and education. 

It is important to recognize that there are ongoing efforts in Peru to address racism and promote equality. The Peruvian government has implemented policies and programs aimed at combating discrimination, promoting intercultural dialogue, and recognizing the rights of indigenous and Afro-Peruvian communities. However, eradicating racism requires long-term commitment, education, and collective action from all members of society.

References: 

¿Por qué existe racismo en el Perú? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://intercambio.pe/por-que-existe-racismo-en-el-peru/?print=print