With a history of invisibility and discrimination, they must now redouble their efforts to defend their rights in an adverse political context.
Denied Rights in Latin America
In a country that has prided itself on being the most European in Latin America, the Afro-Argentine community continues to fight for visibility and to demand their rights. However, under the libertarian government of Javier Milei, this struggle has become even more challenging. The recent dissolution of the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism (Inadi) has left this community without an institution to defend their interests and combat the structural discrimination they face.
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The closure of Inadi: a step back in the fight against discrimination
Inadi, created in 1995, was for nearly three decades a key institution in combating racism in Argentina. Fabiana Andrea Altamiranda, a representative of the Sawabona collective, highlights that the institute provided tools to report discriminatory acts and promoted educational programs on Afro-descendant identity in Argentina. “A lot of work was done in cultural events and programs that safeguarded our identity,” she points out.
However, Milei’s government deemed Inadi inefficient. Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni justified its closure, arguing that it did not show tangible results and only served to fund political jobs. Decree 696 of 2024 dissolved the institution under the premise of reducing public spending, leaving vulnerable communities without protection.
Structural racism in Argentina: an undeniable reality
Racism in Argentina is not new, but activists warn that Milei’s government has further normalized it. “Now they say ‘f***ing black’ without any hesitation, as if it were something normal,” Altamiranda laments. Violence and discrimination have intensified, leaving the Afro-descendant community in an even more vulnerable position.
The 2022 census identified 302,936 people who recognize themselves as Afro-descendants in a country of 47 million inhabitants. Despite their historical presence, this community has been made invisible for decades. “Being Black in Argentina is not easy,” says Altamiranda. “Facing them without the white mask takes a lot of courage.”
Resistance and community organization
Despite the obstacles, the Afro-Argentine community continues to fight for their rights. Initiatives such as the Sawabona collective promote respect and appreciation of Afro roots, while projects like Malungo bookstore, run by Roberto Ruiz, seek to recover Black history in Argentina.
Ruiz, an Afro-descendant editor and bookseller, has experienced racism firsthand. “Many people pass by my bookstore, look, and keep walking. Others react with disgust,” he recounts. Despite these experiences, he remains committed to giving visibility to the Black community in Argentina.
Institutional discrimination: a barrier in government
Racism is also present in the workplace and government institutions. An employee at the Casa Rosada, who prefers to remain anonymous, claims to have been a victim of discrimination since the government change. “Maybe they didn’t like my face, my way of being,” he confesses. His case reflects a widespread reality: racism permeates power structures and limits opportunities for Afro-Argentines.
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An uncertain future for afro-argentines in Argentina
With the closure of Inadi and the rise in hate speech, the Afro-Argentine community faces a bleak outlook. “We have no one to defend us,” Altamiranda states. However, the fight for rights does not stop. “I used to feel ashamed, but now I feel proud,” she concludes.
In a country that still denies its diversity, the resistance of the Afro-Argentine community is also a fight for memory, identity, and justice.
