Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(Written by special contributer Ivana Zdravkovic)

http://filer.livinginperu.com/news/img/rice-racism.jpg750562

© LIP

I remember I arrived on a Friday. It was one of those typical smoky air, ash colored winter days in Lima. I had never imagined a South American country before, especially one so far away from home. In the beginning I didn’t understand why the houses had no roofs, or why small children would stick to the car window begging for change. I was confused, sad and twelve years old.

Then, I started school. It seamed outrageous to wear a uniform every day and to be locked inside an institution. Emotionally I was wrecked and I had no knowledge of Spanish to express it. I thought I was going to be an outsider forever, I was wrong. Peru gave me a local “cheek kiss” and lighter skies to look upon.

I moved from Belgrade because at that moment the war was messing up everything and everyone. My nation was hurt and stressed out, exhausted. People gave up on faith and started to search for hope beyond the frontier. In Lima, people had less but they seamed happier. I also noticed that things and time had a different pace here. Words, actions, and even behavior was slower, as if everything was stretched out, more relaxed. My home culture was very distinct from the Peruvian way of living, still I blended in and turned into a strange ethnic fusion. I wouldn’t have made it if it hadn’t been for the people around me. I had a new home, a place where strangers and foreigners are treated like VIPs. The same place where discrimination is over the top and overrated.

http://filer.livinginperu.com/news/img/rice-racism_2.jpg750562

© LIP

This issue is present in every Peruvian, no matter what social circle or economic level you name. Here each person is labeled based on his/her race, home address or last name. From the outside it looks like an exotic cocktail of cultures, inside it’s pure chaos for native Peruvians constantly fighting for their rights. Or do they actually fight for them?

An outsider has a prestige denied to a lot of Peruvians who apply for jobs, attend social and public places, or try to demand any type of rights.

People here never discuss discrimination as a problem that needs to be solved. They joke about it, they live with it and they spread it around. It feels like you don’t really need to stop it if you find an easy way to live with it. Job denials, harassment, exclusion, you don’t need statistics to confirm something you already know. Numbers could shock you a little bit more, but in the end, the shocking statement is the harsh and stable indifference. When a bus full of passengers from some small Andean village crashes, it’s a just another traffic accident. In Europe those accidents are considered an extreme lose. Do you acknowledge that we lose more than just a life (and that’s big enough) if people don’t speak out for their own civil rights. Things pass by, we pass through, but sometimes we shouldn’t act like guests or outsiders while being part of a place that defines us in so many different ways.

You can choose your daily lunch menu but it’s always better when we have more options. Where do we find those options? What is the combo you would recommend? Think about it.

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I have lived for some time in Peru. Everything Ivana said is true, unfortunately.

People seem to have developed a tolerance towards racism and discrimination in general.

What can they do? Violence is out of question. It provoked enough destruction already. There seems to be a slow change, people are getting more educated, they try to do business, but this is too slow as well. This means another generation will be lost.

Yes Ricardo, I think the same thing, and I support Ivana´s opinion.I liked this point of view of her article.

This is a reality that i believe all peruvians are aware off but prefer not to talk about. Time will make this gap between people even bigger and we'll live in a labeled society. Very good article, clear ideas and strong message.

It annoys me to read that a war refugee from Europe writes about my fellow peruvians critisizing our preferences for foreigners and white people.

She forgets Europe where race is often confused with national origin, either way fostering mistrust and hatred.

By comparison, Peruvians often use racial intolerance to foster exclusiveness: in night clubs, beaches and the like. This is really less of a problem when compared to the hatred and murdering of peoples that make Europe a far worst place to be.

Ivana, don't forget that you are in the New World and let peruvians come to terms with their own racism, don't forget part of the attention they lavish on you is because we are not used to seeing white europeans in our soil. We are farther out on the pacific coast and a little bit removed from other centers.

I live in the states, particularly in san francisco. I was born in Peru and lived there (in one of the poorest districts of Lima) for about 17 years before i moved to the States. I have to say something about this article, "it is very fu**ng self-righteous!
Racism in Peru is not half as bad as in any other countries, of course, that doesn't make it any better, but, it is not the day-to-day drama that Ivana wants to make it appear.
Go to LA, Marina, go to friggin Mexico DF and you will be kept from going into a club just because of how you look!....Sure, we wanna say it is because you dress poorly, but nope.
A friend of mine, in a male gay club in san francisco suffered discrimination due to the fact of her being straight....and hispanic.
Peru is a melting pot of different cultures and races,...we haven't had to go through a Martin Luther King to realize that black have the same rights that whites enjoy. "Native Peruvians" ('cause that is the only term non-peruvians understand) also enjoy constitutional rights.
Now, Ivana should have spoken about the ones "who have" and the ones "who have not".....That is the onlyh difference...you could be purple, brown or orange.....but as long as you have money, you will look as white (or mabye is it greeen?) as any body else.
Peruvian will come to terms with their own difference with time and patience. You should not feel pity for us, critizice us harshly, or even pretend to "teach" us your ways. As a culture, we are a lot older than many in this continent, so, let's try not to be a puritan, selfrigthous freak about this things. It is all part of the "peruvian flavor" one that only peruvians understand.

everyone is right!!!!! Peru is absolutely lovely. peruvians are absolutely fake. Peruvians treat peruvians depending on what they can get from them. Peruvians take advantage of peruvians .
Yes , we like white people. I'm a girl and I f I see a hot american guy, I'll like him. White people are so different from us that we admire them. we don't admire them like gods but just because our features are so dissimilar. I admire variety ; however I don't consider it better.
MOst of peruvians would have loved to be white, tall and blonde. how many of them are? not many.
If a peruvian girl goes to wyoming, locals would like her. she'll be considered hot. why? because you're not used to people like her.
same thing for us.
And yes, there are stupid peruvians that think white is better, but that's changing against their will. go to miraflores, sit in the parque and watch who's now driving a luxurious car? white or chocolate? money rules our countries; yours and mine.

Clearly this article is not written by a 12 year old girl, so I must come to the conclusion that the writer is now an adult and therefore has spent some number of years living in Peru. It would also appear that she provides the facts from her first hand experience.

I see nothing which critisizes Peru or compares it to other european countries in an unfavourable way. In fact she states quite clearly that her own country was messed up at the time her family left. She states only her personal observations, which in any democratic country she would be entitled to do. As Peru is a democratic country and the writer appears to be a resident of Peru, it would seem logical that her opinion is just as valid as anyone else.

Some native Peruvians may not like "outsiders" critisizing their country, which is understandable, but it must be accepted that if a person is living, studying or working in Peru and has permanent residency then that person is entitled to express their opinion.

It could also be argued that a native peruvian who no longer chooses to live in his or her country of origin may not be entirely up to date on exactly what it's like to live in Peru today. Especially if they have been away for a long period of time.

I don't judge anyone for the choices they make as we all must do what is right for us at the time. But if a Peruvian living in the U.S believes he or she has the right to comment on the state of affairs in that country, then they must give others living in Peru the right to do the same.

If you disagree with an opinion then by all means lodge your reply but your comments lose a lot of credibility when you start using insults to get your point accross. 





   

 

Peruvians are WAY too sensitive when it comes to constructive criticism on this issue. Ivana´s article was diplomatically trying to discuss an issue that most Peruvians ignore. Peruvians will never come to terms with the racism and inequities in their society unless they are forced to do so. Do you think the white slave owners in the United States would ever have given up their slaves voluntarily?

I was born in Peru but am of Japanese/chinese descendant.  I live in Peru most of my adolescent life and felt racism towards the oriental people  just as strong as for the negros, serranos, cholos and indios...Peruvians are not only suckers of gringos, but also of the rich people....Peruvians suffered a lot of insecurities and live on appearances only....you can't tell who is real and who is telling you the truth...they live in a world they can't afford just to show they can be accepted...Sorry but I do not miss living there at all and hate going there to visit...

Racism, just by definition, has absolutly no specific nationallity. Among the asian community, among european communities, even along the southern states of the US of A, you'll find that it exists. Is this a good thing? Well of course not! Is it ever gonna end? I doubt it. So, i think people would stop looking at the stain on other people's shirts when their own might be utterly dirty. (I didn't wanna quote the bible here, sorry you christians)
Let's move on from the subject, sorry if you feel you were subject of "racism" (it could have been prejudism?), the media is succesfully trying to show that beauty comes in different colors (check the benneton campaign), so let's wipe our little tears, put away our sad childhood memories and live in the 21st century, let's move on!
Let's also remember that, when you generalize a group of people (i.e.: "Peruvians") you are also being a bit narrow minded, a bit of a jackass, if you don't mind my  choice of words. The world changes, people change and despite of that, we are still humans (except the ones who aren't) and we have flaws, judging people by their appearances is one of  those flaws and WE all have that done at one moment or another...crap!...governments do it and call it  "ethnic profiling"......so, again, let's wipe our tears, stop tearing our cloths and move on.

I will second that, but there is no need to be angre about it , I spend 30 years all over the states, I cryed when the space shuttle was lost on his way up, I cryed when they blew up the towers and I cryed when I had to return to Peru, my country, but Peru has not change fast enough, I am sure we will, untill then I cry when I can get a Job because I am too old or not white enough, perhaps over qualify like I being toll, I dont want to be angre, I want to belive that it will be better place to live,I will be in Peru 7 years, is hard but Im not giving up but still I cry when I see kids on the streets begging, or when you hear in the radio people like any of us asking for medical attention, this is Peru, I love it as I love the States, there is no need to hate or by angree about it, but thats it, everyone is rigth, reality is everywhere, anywhere and I am part of it.

well i am peruvian and i can tell that what Ivana says is 100% true, when i applied for a job for american airlines which is where i work now, there was dark skinned people which where interviewed with no interest and denied the job just for that, racism in peru exist, no matter if u come from another country your kids will be born in peru and theyll go to expensive schools and they will be racist cause thats what happened with my family, my gratgranparents came from germany and they were not racist, but now my cousins and even my brothers are racist, so even tho it sucks to say it ivana's own kids will be like that too, cause its peruvian nature.

WOW, IF WE TALK ABOUT RIGTHS AND COLOR OF SKIN, WE MAY JUST OPENED UP THE PANDORA BOX, WHAT SURPRISES ME THE MOST IS HOW MUCH UNGER THERE IS IN THE LAST FEW EMAILS, IS THIS WHAT IS GOIN TO HAPPEND IN PERU, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT ANY HUMALA'S MIND LIKE WILL TO HEAR, AND IF WE KEEP IT UP YOU WILL SEE US LIKE VENEZUELA VERY SOON, YES IS BAD BUT I BELIVE THAT EDUACTION, AND A BETTER ECONOMY WILL BE THE SOLUTION, LOOK AT MOST FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES, THEY HAVE A BETTER SITUATION AND THE RACISM IS HARDLY EVER A PROBLEM.

Dear Bert: You are right that a better economy is required in order to change the balance of power and therefore racism. I reside in Candam one of the G8's countries. Here the situation of the aboriginal (indian) is quite deporable. No single day passby without hearing at leat one discriminatory remarks against "those indians" A more robust economy yes, but there must be deep retristribution of wealth to change racism.

Hello Ivana:
In your comment you said:
You arrived in Peru as a 12 year old, confused;
Now you are older , Racism in Peru is bothering you.
I think you are still confused because this subject is a grey area, exist but people dont want to talk about.
And Peru is no different. Obiously there are different levels of Racism in the world.
One thing I dont agree with your opinion is that in Peru, someone only because is white will get a VIP treatment, like happend to you.
In Peru like any where, money can buy you a VIP treatment,and in Peru definetly you can buy it, Not matter what colour is the person.
To probe my point, we don't have walls or barriers separeting the citizens or communities. Any body who have the cash can live in La Molina, San Isidro or wherever.
Most Important, in Peru if you have Talent, whatever ethnic you are, you can reach the Top in any Area. It's all in front of your eyes.
I am Peruvian living in Europe for the last 18 years.
Have a nice day                  Walter

Very often it takes a foreigner to notice the crap in your own country. Like with everything else, people who are too close to the subject can't (or won't) see the wood for the trees. Nice article. Good insight. The criticism isn't unwarranted; it's constructive and objective. I think Peruvians, especially from the middle class upwards, don't like to talk about it (racism/discrimination) because it makes them uncomfortable to acknowledge the paradox (and hypocrisy) of claiming to be good christians while living in a society built on inequality (and corruption). The same is true in other countries; only there they sometimes try to do something about it. Here, hardly anyone gives a shit about anyone else. And if they say they do, their actions usually belie their words. It's a jungle. Darwinism on a slanted playing field where most people prefer to sit, watch and call the cholo vendor to bring them an inca kola, because it's convenient and easy. Carlos F., get your head out of the sand. That New World rubbish stopped washing about 400 years ago. Human nature is human nature wherever you find it; what's so special about being "farther out on the pacific coast"? What does that mean, anyway? That it's OK for people to treat each other like shit?

After reading Ivana's article, and the majority of replies, I realized something.  She stirred first the Peruvian pot and inevitably stirred the worlds. 

The issue of rascism is a HUGE issue! Not just in Peru but, all over the world!  I find it rather ironic that a woman voices her opinion about racism in Peru and asks why people in general just accept it, and a few Peruvians get offended. (could it be they don't like being called out on their passive nature by some Gringa import, even if she is just trying to understand?)

I have two friends from Peru (which are two of the most beautiful individuals I know) and we've discussed many issues about their native country. (rasicism being one of them) What may be a bigger issue is the fact that there has been years of oppression on the Peruvian people by their own government.  (which is usually dictated by a foreigner, and a militaristic one at that)  The people of Peru struggle for some sort of balance. . . is racism going to be ended by passivity?  Maybe. Maybe not.  But, tell me please! Who has found the cure to that venerable disease?

I don't think that the Peruvian "passive nature" is something to be scoffed at. It's admirable.  As a culture they have seen so many rise to power and fall from power. . . been taken adavantage of so many times.  Being passive may be the only solution. It could be the way of holding out for things to get better. . .a way of having hope.

What Peruvians have to realize is whether or not they want things to change or to remain the same.  That is their choice.

One thing is sure however, they won't change anything if they don't act.

There is racism all around the world , not only in Peru.

And racism will last forever , that's the way it is , deal with it , this is the world.

Easy to say if you're the not one suffering discrimination and since you speak English it's likely you're from a world where it doesn't affect you. What an admirable passive attitude. The dodos were passive too and look what happened to them. By the way I'm interested to know how you "deal with it." Just ignore it?

Now, I have to refrain from getting angry. . .

Since I speak English I don't suffer from discrimination?  That is preposterous! Give me a break!

I, probably to my downfall, am very out-spoken and will not stand for ignorance, and refuse to stand idly by when I feel something isn't right.

I have to admit, I feel the comparison of dodos to a culture rather weak. 

I do not take discrimantion lightly and no-one else should either.

Racism in Europe and United States is worst.

It's an overreaction if we talk about racism in Peru , and some politics and some people like Gisela  who want fame,  take advantage of it  trying to gain popularity .

It's nothing compared to what happens in Europe and north America.

I was born in Peru, live in the USA for many years, [Los Angeles] you want to hear about racism? come here or any other places in USA, you will see the big picture . Unfortunelly this problem does not only excist  in Peru, is all over the world. This is not the mayor problem of Peru, hard for me to say, the bigges one, is the lack of work , an for Ivana, 
did you wrote this article when you're 12???? I don't think so. 
All what you claimed is true, yes, unfortunally .In time, I , we hoped it will change . One think I could'nt imagine, only excist in Peru.
Have a good one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

V.L.Urban 

I have lived in Peru for several years and now I am living in Vancouver, Canada. To Simon, please don't criticize our "passive attitude" if you don't understand it. I think the article is good , as it comes from a person trying to understand our culture without an intenction to offend others. So I ask my fellow peruvians to stop reacting in an angry way calling names to people. We all have to realize that no one likes to be criticized or grouped as we tend to react in a defensive way.
I do not know where you are from Simon, but I don't think is fair to judge Emily just because she knows english... I think she made some good points I totally agree with. And let me tell you something, racism works both ways. Just as americans people think latinos are lazzy, latinos think americans are cold hearthed. It is not good for anyone. Everyone realizes this, and we all have our way of dealing with the problem. We peruvians make changes in a slow but consistent manner. Every time I return to Peru, I notice the changes for good and for bad so clear. We are doing some serious improvement right now for a change (but that is just my personal opinion). Have a nice day

Mike

Thanks for your note, Mike. In my defense I would like to point out that my remarks were aimed at Souza, not Emily. I apologize, Emily, if you thought I was attacking you because you seem a reasonable person; I thought it was clear from my message who I was referring to. 

What I meant was that since Souza is Peruvian (presumably) and speaks English then the chances are he had a comfortable upbringing, which in Peru. or Lima at least, usually equates to belonging to a population group untroubled by discrimination (i.e. not a victim of it).

However, passiveness towards human rights violations isn't an admirable trait. And since you say I don't understand this passiveness, I'd be interested to hear your explanation of it.
Have a nice day too.
P.S. I'm English and have been living in Peru since '91, so I have seen some dramatic improvements here. At the same time, there are still a lot of things morally wrong with this country that a considerable percentage of the population seem to be prey to.

We understand what Simon Walter talks bout.

Let's be real.

Racism will never ends unfortunately.

Look at the laws in the u.s. and Europe and there is still racism over there.

Whoever lives in north america can tell about the racism against mexicans and latinos , the minute men and laws against inmigrants because they are indians mostly.

Whoever lives in Europe can tell about the ''neo-nazis'' and racism.

There is nothing else to do.

Vicerversa  there is also racism from indians or ''olive skin'' against white people , like Ollanta Humala .

If a white goes to a ''cholo'' place , he or she will be pointed as a bad person or a snob.

If you visit Lima, like I do every other year, you'll see the changes , for the good or the bad, I was in Ancon a few months ago with friends, walking by the beach , seen "our cholitas] or mestizas wearing uniforms I made a comment to my friends an asked who those people were wor-king for?? there replay? they're working for foreingners, came from diffe-rent countries, mostly from USA, leaving like queens and kings, treating the peruvians like servants ,wearing uniforms [the nannys] working from morning to late at nights , I spent two days in the area, an I got the picture, not only peruvians treating their own people this way, so you see the problem? is every where!! with the exception, this people are from other countries demanding !! don't take me wrong, as a USA Citizen an happy here, but can't take injustice from anyone, for me is very disturbing, hopefully they wake up real soon an fight back !! 

Well tomorrow is....  !!!!!! PERU INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!!
                              HAVE A GOOD 28TH
Los Angeles, California
Lucy

Really controversial.
It doesn't matter if Ivana is right or wrong, it's her appreciation from her own experience. Everybody has in on point of view, it thing racism exists everywhere; we should put a hand on our heard and recognize we all have a little bit of racism or discrimination. Maybe it’s in humans nature, it’s like a silly way of self-preservation. We just need to understand that we are not in danger and that cultural diversification enriches us.

It is embarrazing to think about the racist mentality that happens  in Lima  , particularly because in Lima everyone is indian looking called ( mestizo )there is not exception some more some less , except for 10 percent of the population which would be foreigners unfortunately that is hard to accept for a peruvian ,because everyone tries to appear lighter than everyone else it happens in chains  the lighter shades of brown skin discriminates againts to darker shades and so on ....
same thing happens with last names  the more spanish or indian your name sound  the worst opportunities for you over there not matter how well eduated you are, people think foreigner is better , for example Mr Papaquechua  small native indian with 5 years  of eduaction 5 years of training applying to a CEO of a famous bank can't compete with a Mr Smith 1 years of education 2 months experience .
Same thing happened with a racial discriminatory action at a bar in Lima
when we look at the pictures of the security guards( dark mestizo ) and the person not allowed to the disco bar(dark mestizo) , they both look the  exactly the same race .In the USA and the world every hispanic is one ethnic background, not lighter or darker hispanic .So why racism against your own people.
Peruvians are racist the same way as certain religious groups feel they religion is better .Get on with your maturity change and give a better example , saying other places are worse is not the point we are talking about Peru .

Well, today is a very important day for all Peruvians, no matter how far away you or I, live .

                       HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a good day
Lucy

                      

All I meant was this: In essence the only truely admirable thing about Peruvian's passive nature in the face of oppression, is their uncanny ability to still find peace, love, and hope.  Perhaps this can be attributed to their impressive sense of togetherness in family and as a culture.

To: Emily, you're almost right, the Peruvians has the uncanny ability to find peace, the impressive sense of unity, they endure RACISM much of
their life, am very sure, this is a secundary issue for them, they have to fight the most important one of all , that is ..... have a job, have a roof over their heads, have medical Insurance, ect, ect , when you don't have all this, who is going to care about who is discriminating who??? too many Peruvians living abroad, either forget or pretend to forget what is more important in order to survive !!
I was born in Peru, left my country many years ago, I do visit Lima, the racism is not as bad as it was before, but of course, it excist,too bad the authorities and people can't work together an fight this Desease!!!!!!!!!! I meet Peruvians in Sweden, Germany, Denmark and
Oslo, one thing for sure, they're the happiest people, why? because they have good jobs!!!!! as long as they are productive, they're an heaven!!! 

Lucy 

I moved to Lima 3 months ago. I work with peruvians in the mining/environmental sector. Today, on site, we were pulling up this heaving cable from a hole (a long 150m cable) and I wanted to help to 1) give a chance to the driver (who does all the heavy jobs) the chance to rest and 2) to put myself in his shoes. He didn't want to let me and I really had to use my authority to make him let me do this hard task (as opposed to just taking readings, not carrying/pulling anything). I explained to him, sometimes with more energy than others, how I wanted to be at the same level as him and I also had to do the less easy tasks. The other engineer (girl) with us told the story of a colleague who carried a 30kg cable over hills and hills for a week and jammed a disk in his spine and I was shocked that he wouldn't put his health and safety first or that his boss wouldn't tell him that load was too heavy to be carried like that, by a single man, for days. I took it upon myself to hammer it in their heads that their health should always be their priority. I was afraid of offending them, of not choosing the right words. I think it will take lots of repeating that conversation until they agree their health and wellbeing is a matter of priority.
Seeing how the people in this forum react to comments on their behaviour, I really hope I haven't offended my colleagues and that they haven't bottled it up or kept any possibly hurt/angry feelings to themselves.

I hope you had a great Fiesta Patrias day too Lucy (I surely did).

Celine I just read your comment and I found it really interesting.  In which mine are you working? I am also a bit involved in the mining sector, learning some estimating. Well I am not sure why the driver wouldn't let you help him but some ideas come to mind (I might be wrong). 1) Some peruvian employees are really scared of loosing their job, specially a job like this one that is better than the average in small cities like for example Cajamarca. 2) Men in Peru tend to take it personally when letting a woman do their job, specially if it is something that requires physical strenght. 3) Or maybe he was just being a gentleman, cause to us that is one way of being nice (not letting women do that kind of job). Now don't think I am a machist/sexist here, but the idea is that it requires less effort from to us(boys) to carry heavy stuff on general. So, normally peruvian girls let boys help them in that way.

I am just brainstorming ideas here. Maybe you can explain what happened or what he said better to get a better grasp of the situation.
I don't think anyone can get offended with your comment by the way.

Have a nice day
Mike

To: MIke, yes I did had a great Fiestas Patrias, too, thanks.

  TO ALL:   HAVE A GREAT AND PRODUCTIVE DAY !!

 LUCY

There is racism and discrimination all over the world. Not only in Peru.ANIMAL!. You'll find it in Europe, USA, Canada, etc. The whites against the blacks, the blacks against the mexicans, the mexicans against the asians, the asians against the Arabs and so on. Please do not try to fool the audience with your inane "racism" sermon. Before being too judgmental with Peruvians, lets put in perspective how racist your own culture or country is. Give me a break!

Hey Pitucha, if there is racism everywhere in the world, then why do you have to get upset with someone that says that there is racism in Peru? Who are you to start calling people animals??
You should read all the previous comments to realize the kind of discussion we have here.

If you think there is more racism somewhere else, that is fine. But at least respect the experience that someone had, while visiting Peru. No one is saying that Peru is worse or better than other countries in any way. So why do you need to react like that? Be open to criticism that is all I have to say.
Cheers
Mike

I agree, have some more respect Pitucha.

 I am 20 years old I just came back from Lima, Pery for my second two month stay I have made in a year i fell in love with a girl who is studying law for 4 years now but loves me just as much as I feel but the US embassy has denied this girl the visa to come visit me again and it tears me apart I am helpless to make this girl happy and myself by just being with her no matter what it takes if any one has any suggestion on how I could work anyway possible in lima until she has completed school because her family is so formal and so happy with their lives and I just dont want to be the outcast and come merry their daughter and take her to america which seemes to be the only way to get her to visit me here. I just wish I could make a plan if anyone has asuggestion please email oz111oz@hotmail.com

Oh Tom you're so young & seem so anxious & in love why don't you go on this site www.forum.livinginperu.com you'll get some answers there.

All the best

Me.

Racism in Peru is a problem of economic, political, cultural, and historical factors.  The historical element can be traced to the conquest of the Inca empire by the Spanish and how that history has been presented and interpreted.  The humiliation of the conquest stems from a perception that the Indigenous people of Peru and the Americas were defeated due to racial and cultural inferiority.  The scientific racism and related attitudes and beliefs that grew from this are alive and well.  The economic aspect stems that skin tone determines educational and economic opportunity which translates to political power and dominance.  Therefore, the lighter skin tone you have the more opportunities you have to access wealth and privilege.  Culturally, the more people distance themselves from what is considered "Indian," the better they will be perceived as capable, modern, etc. etc. The problem is that these constructs have also found themselves to be psychologically and culturally engrained after over 500 years of 

subjugation and oppression (so much that it has become and accepted fact of life as some of the responses show).  We must not forget what is important and that is the resistance that people have shown to this.  The indigenous communities in Peru, the Americas and around the world continue to resist and survive.  Racism is not an inevitable or unchangeable.  Racism is a cultural and psychological disease. Racism is also a product of unequal economic and political relationships.  These structures (political, economic, etc.) are found everywhere in the world and that is why racism is global.  The history of Peru and other areas of the world continue to be revised and updated to show the resistance that has exited both in the past and present.  Peruvian history is not once of humiliation and defeat although that interpretation continues to be the dominant one.  One last note: Ivana has every right to voice her opinion. Racism can not end if people of all nationalities, colors, etc., don't discuss it and bring it out to the open.   

Never been to Peru, would like to though cause my father really loved his country and had much pride in it . . I don't know about racism in Peru but I know my father's family living here (Connecticut) act, dress, and think they are white.  They only acknowledge they are Peruvian when they are getting drunk for the annual Santa Rosa de Lima party. 

My grandmother is light skinned with green eyes.  She acts as though she is superior to others around her and never accepted my mother who is Puerto Rican, or my myself for that matter.  I guess being half is just not good enough.  My cousins who are all half white grew up believing that most Peruvians look like her.  Once one of my younger cousins held up her arm to mine after having been to the beach and said, "Look Susan, I am darker than you...and you're Puerto Rican!"  She hadn't acknowledged the fact that I get my tanner skin tone, black hair, & indiginous nose from my father, not my mother. 

Growing up I often heared my dad's family refering to other Peruvians they knew as Cholos or Cholitos.  Actually it was also used as a common admonishment when someone in the family behaved badly, "Cholita sinverguenza!"

My father's family will never change because they don't care that they are racist against other Peruvians and other Latinos as well.  It is drilled in them to believe that the whiter you are the better. 

hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah
i think we all wanna see wrong in everything........racisnm has no flag or nationality, it only has ignorance.........and ignorance has no color. let's just remember that peruvian do no think o f racisnm based on color, but financial security, kind of like americans do!!....ir maybe english, or australians or canadians...hmm....come to think, kinda like anyone of us do!!!
let's just drop the subject please!!

I totally agree with Zousa , come to USA and you'll KNOW what racism is and worst in small towns here, it is absolutly terrible!!! they really hate mexicans and latinos, no matter if those latinos are white with green eyes,  if you are latino , you mean crap, garbish, second hand people for them and many times you have to watch out for yourself because there are plenty of hate murders relate to racism  and is growing so much in the youngsters in this nation, don't forget this is a very violent country.
If you are a latina that married a white american man they don't like it,  you can see their expressions of hate when they see it,  many don't like interracial marriages and also they dislike blacks so bad, there is been a case of a white man married with a mulato woman that some neonazis put a burning cross in front of this couple's house, then in another case white kids, 14, 15 years old burned a house with mexicans inside late at night when this poor people were slepping.                        There are thousands of cases happening here every day relate to racism, there are cities in USA that latinos find hard to live because of the racism.
I was surprised one day when I went to a mall and a one little kid maybe 5 years old came to me and told me "no spanish",  this happens because they get it from the parents and the same thing happened to my friend who is latino in another ocassion , he was told  "not spanish" by other little one here.
I don't understand what this girl is talking about , in Peru if you have money no matter if you are red, white, chinese, they treat you like a king, money talks there.
I live in this country USA for over 20 years and I've seen too much racism believme.                                                                 

Racism is unacceptable in any culture. We are all entitled to a fair shake. I certainly hope it will not always be and that there is nothing that can be done. We need to come to the realization that we are one race. Racism is ugly and should not be tolerated. The government can take steps to level the playing field and hopefully future generations will overcome the disgrace and injustice of racism in this world.

Hello I'm Peruvian, now living in USA, have travelled around the world, and my main passion is anthropology, 

I completed agree with Ivana, it is so sad that racism is a part of every day life in Peru, the Peruvian who denies this is living in denial, and probably a very fake individual, 

Racism exists every where, but it's so sick & perverse, when it's allowed, and erased as if it didn't occur, such the case of Peru & many other countries.

In order for Peru to be a healthier country in all different aspects including prosperity, Peruvians must learn to love themselves starting with their Andean history. 

If no change in attitudes occur soon, the country will be in complete turmoil, such as terrorists attacks, and dictatorships.

Hatred promotes Hatred, Cycle of Life, by the way I am a white Peruvian, & when I visit, yes I am royalty, sad  truth!!!

Man...this should scrambled some egos...!?
For the most part, you all have some deep concerns and feelings about racism.
Just tell me, once Barrak Osama gets elected as pres. of the US,would racism be less important? Or, would he end up like J.F.K.or M.L.K !?
I truely hope,if B.O. gets to become the next president of the worlds most industrial nation....this subject of racism will take a kick in the ass!! 

 Ok, egomaniacs....I meant BARRAK OBAMA.
It sure looks,as history of the U.S. presented,"slaves had a place".  Now,some of the white population is scared of having a black-american as their president.

The 'land of opportunities' is about to honor it's claim.

I have lived in the USA almost 40 yrs.and have never been threaten by a black-american....have the 'white peruvians' been threaten by a 'cholo'?....so, why are you scared?

I am a Peruvian, daughter of Peruvian parents. I lived in Europe til I was 8 years old then moved to Peru for good. I went to a elite school, where all girls behaved equal, had to have the same things, think the same, speak the same. Though, the darker ones would hang out separately from the lighter skinned ones, all Peruvian blood, just different skin tones.
I agree with every single word of Ivana´s article.
There is racism in every culture, in every country. But in Peru it is quite particular, it just exists in everyday life and nobody deals with it. Very few people consider it a problem. It is always hidden behind arguments easier to handle than: "we just don`t like ourselves". Peruvian´s self esteem is low, particularly as compared to Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile (whose society might have other problems, but I am speaking from the self esteem, identity point of view).
Peruvians discriminate Peruvians, not only foreigners get VIP treatment but also Peruvians with lighter skin will get that treatment too. And eveybody accepts it.
What is also true, is that it is slowly changing. As we are economically progressing, and slowly very slowly, improving education (too slowly) it empowers people to speak for their rights. Plus, globalization, makes people (who have money and therefore "rule" in Peruvian society) travel more. When they go abroad and they learn about tolerance and how much you can enrich yourself from meeting different people and not only the one who looks just like you.
Another thing I have noticed is that internet lets everybody express themselves, there are millions of blogs in Peru, written by people who would not have access to write a newspaper column because they lack the contacts (in Lima it is all about who you know. You might think everywhere is like that, well in Lima, we are professionals in it).
Slowly, the middle class is getting bigger, and younger people are realizing it is SO MUCH NICER to go out to places and meet different faces and not the same from the same school, the same beach, the same families, the same clubs, year after year.
Some Peruvian ´s find this difficult to accept and they deny it or they make excuses for it, but come on............... I could go on and on and on giving millions of examples, but I have to go back to work.

Thank you Ivana for your article.