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Racism as its own worst enemy

No country is racist and no country is free of racism – this is not a black-and-white issue (perhaps not the best way of putting it) but numerous shades of grey. Leer más

Racism as its own worst enemy

This article delves into the notion that racism is inherently self-destructive, arguing that the ongoing debate surrounding Argentina's racist tendencies is largely futile, as no country is entirely free of racism. It highlights how the primary source of controversy during the World Cup final weekend was unrelated to Argentina's competitive prowess or demographic makeup, but rather stemmed from the Middle East conflict, a non-factor in Argentine football or demographics.

The author points out that detractors of Argentine President Javier Milei, who is termed the "most Zionist president in the world," seized upon instances of perceived racism in order to bolster their arguments, such as when Mendoza Lieutenant-Governor Hebe Casado's statement about the French World Cup team was misconstrued as an insult to African players.

The author contends that those who are offended by such perceptions are actually the real racists, as they assume "African" to mean "inferior." Moreover, critics should be asked to name the excluded black footballers, as the argument of exclusion appears to be a weak foundation.

The article also argues that the case of Nazi Germany serves as the most extreme example of how racism can be its own worst enemy. Prior to Adolf Hitler, Germans had a significant presence in Eastern Europe, contributing to the region's cultural landscape through their language and customs. However, Hitler's rise to power led to the annihilation of both Jewish and German influences, resulting in the loss of centuries of cultural development.

The author suggests that current feelings of racism, particularly against immigrants, are similarly counterproductive, as exemplified by the personal experience of being served tea by a blond youth at an airport station after 2004, despite the historical presence of Caribbean and South Asian staff.

Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at batimes.com.ar →

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