Racism in Spain: Alive and Well, By Patrick O'Brien

Upon having my dinner one night I turned on my Spanish television hoping to gain a little insight into the culture that surrounds me. Aside from the usual cooking or talk shows I typically come to see, I kept on searching for something different. All of a sudden my remote stopped when I came upon a channel showing several men in typical “African” garb, dawning faces painted much darker than the rest of their bodies. I was left mouth agape as I saw the show unfold, a bunch of men in blackface moving in stereotypical “African” tribal dances.

Being such a liberal minded society at times, I expected the mindset of Spain’s people to reflect that same political ideology. However, the more I look around me in Seville the more I see blatant racism pouring out from every street corner. One of the biggest fashion trends apparently for these Spaniards is Native American headdresses and outfits. Even on nationwide commercials for supermarket behemoths, you see children and often times adults frolicking around in this stereotypical wear. It’s also interesting to note how the Spaniards were one of the first people to come into contact with these same people who they’re impersonating (And also interesting to note how they quite literally were the cause for the demise of most of the population, but that’s a story for another time).

Even some of my personal companions who were born and raised in Morocco have come into contact with some of the snobbier attitudes of the Spanish people. It’s important to note that from 1912 to 1955, Morocco was occupied by both Spanish and French Imperialists, holding in and repressing the national identities of the proud, African people. My close companion, دوا (Douaa), has told me that in several instances, she has been victimized by Spanish people who seem to be stuck in the past, still seeing the Moroccan people as lesser, inferior to them, rather than equals within the first world.

Even though I cannot be one to criticize knowing that my own country is not exactly the safest haven for race relations, I still do my part to make sure that I bridge the gap between cultures to better my understanding and relationships between people of all different races. I’ve always seen Europe, even Spain too, as a more free-thinking society, free from constraints in the past of race and superiority within the Imperialist mindset, but clearly there is still some ingrained distain towards people who Spain once used to control and exploit. I pray that movements in the future with the new generation take place in order to negate this terrible mindset that lingers within the mindsets of the Spanish people.