Blogs

I found this chapter, including the documents, very interesting as it provided a broad range of perspectives from people who thought differently about race and gender throughout the 19th century in Latin America. In Peru for example there was a clear racial divide– deep fragmentation became noticeable, where clearing of indigenous lands left new territory […] read full post >>

I found this chapter, including the documents, very interesting as it provided a broad range of perspectives from people who thought differently about race and gender throughout the 19th century in Latin America. In Peru for example there was a clear racial divide– deep fragmentation became noticeable, where clearing of indigenous lands left new territory […] read full post >>

I appreciate that Dawson doesn't expend any intellectual energy pretending that principles enshrined in the first drafts of the Atlantic colonial nations' various bills of rights bore any resemblance to modern multicultural humanism. Rights were ascrib... read full post >>

This week I will discuss two of the exerpts that I feel address a similar issue: throughout the history of Latin American society, certain groups of people hold more rights than others. White creole or Spanish males consistantly dominate in this society, and the amount of social rights and priviledges is reduced for women and […] read full post >>

I appreciate that Dawson doesn't expend any intellectual energy pretending that principles enshrined in the first drafts of the Atlantic colonial nations' various bills of rights bore any resemblance to modern multicultural humanism. Rights were ascrib... read full post >>

3.1 - The Fetishist Animism of Bahian Negroes by Raimundo Nina Rodrigues
Rodrigues, a mestizo himself, mentions how he had studied race and religion in Brazil with the "utmost neutrality and impartiality". However, at the same time, he quotes E.B Tylor who, referring to the slaves living in Bahia, says "It is not always easy to elicit from savages information on their theology". Describing someone else as a savage is an indication of one's lack of neutrality and impartiality. He is quite hypocritical in this aspect, especially as he mentions that mestizos follow similar religious traditions (including himself most likely - not impartial at all).
3.2 - Partido Indepiendente de Color
This document clearly expresses a more equality-based approach to the organization of society in Latin America, in this case Cuba. A few points seem even more "advanced" than some of today's laws of different countries (free elementary, vocational and university education?!)
3.3 - Manifiesto,“Santa Rita de Casia,” y “San Lázaro”, Sociedad de Protección Mutua, Canto y Baile
The line "As death is Nature’s justice, thus all we are is dust, smoke, and ashes here on this earth" shows the humility that was very prevalent in Catholicism. The document emphasizes the way a Catholic should live (living a healthy and working life, taking care of each other without expecting rewards).
3.4 - "Brushstrokes” by Maria Eugenia Echenique, and 3.5 “Women: Dedicated to Miss Maria Eugenia Echenique” by Judith (Josefina Pelliza de Sagast)
These two documents speak to the gradual but very present change in women's status in Latin America occurring. Echneique insists on changing the restrained lives of women and encouraging the independence of women. De Sagast, on the other hand, defends the status quo of women, bound to their husbands, following the path that God has given them. read full post >>

3.1 - The Fetishist Animism of Bahian Negroes by Raimundo Nina RodriguesRodrigues, a mestizo himself, mentions how he had studied race and religion in Brazil with the "utmost neutrality and impartiality". However, at the same time, he quotes E.B Tylor ... read full post >>

Freedom and equality have always been the product of local circumstances. Certainly it depended of the cultural context, even tough Latin America is considered as one region; rights would differ even in the same section, (this would definitely apply in the Mexican case, for being such a big country). The most impressive fact is that […] read full post >>

The readings this week all have to do with the limitation of citizenship, and emancipation (focusing on race and gender). With the 19th century liberalism at force, societies start to discard ideas such as scientific racism, and inferiority and inequality of the sexes. However, with the world changing, there’s bound to be people with very […] read full post >>

The readings this week all have to do with the limitation of citizenship, and emancipation (focusing on race and gender). With the 19th century liberalism at force, societies start to discard ideas such as scientific racism, and inferiority and inequality of the sexes. However, with the world changing, there’s bound to be people with very […] read full post >>