Lo afro de la identidad Argentina: blackness and mestizaje in Argentina

Abstract

The history and significance of the black population in Argentina has only begun to be researched in earnest in the last four decades. This work will focus on mestizaje and blackness in Argentina, analyzing the experiences of Afro-Argentines in the nation-building process between 1870 and 1910. Particular focus will be given to how Afro-Argentines grappled with the “disappearance” of their community in this same time period. Rather than unambiguous physical “disappearance” of the Afro-Argentine caused by death in wars or epidemics, this work will explore the idea that the Afro-Argentine was also rapidly and thoroughly incorporated into a larger “Argentine race.” Using predominantly primary sources, this work will provide a more nuanced look at this aspect of the Afro-Argentine “disappearance,” as well as the how ideas of blackness have filtered into contemporary Argentine culture.