Buena Presencia**

Professor Alejandro Correa (from IUB) held a 2 hour discussion with us yesterday, giving us the necessary background on the history of Blacks and Indigenous populations in Venezuela, discriminatory practices, cultural movements, and what has and will continue to come as a result of them. I also had the chance to finally ask him some more personal questions about his own opinions on Afro-Venezuelan identity and his sensibility of the Diaspora in general.

I was pleasantly surprised. Personally, I feel not only a strong sense of self-identity as an African American, but I also feel a connection with the Diaspora in general. However, I think I’ve always subconsciously felt that that sensibility isn’t as popular outside of the United States. I’ve been under the impression that the movements for self-realization and pride have, for the most part, been popular in the US, but not in Latin America. Ignorant of me? Probably. What I’ve realized thus far is that while Afro-venezolidad is a sensibility that is still not recognized politically (Afro-Venezuelans are not explicitly listed in the Constitution as an ethnic identity), movements toward self-realization are in abundance.

From early colonial slave revolts, to the establishment of independent black communities, participation in the Bolivarian Revolution, and even now in the current Chavez administration, the black Venezuelan has had a presence and significance in the shaping of the social, cultural, and political foundations and manifestations of this country. Unfortunately however, they are not realized by the majority. Many struggles for self-identity, political and social recognition, and a sensibility of the Diaspora that have taken place in the United States are happening here now. The difference, however, is that without a sense of community, un sentido de afro-venezolidad, the initiatives that spring forth are unmoving.

In 2010, there is no census that lists Afro-Venezuelan as an option. For this reason, any noted statistics on the ethnic make-up of Venezuela site Afro-descents as being anywhere between 10 and 60% of the total population. In addition, Venezuelans have come to accept an overarching notion of a ‘mestizo’ population since the (Bolivarian) Revolution. In other words, a culture has been created that acknowledges a mixed race nation; comprised of African, Indigenous, and European/Criollo ancestry, but rarely is the legitimacy of the African legacy (in and of itself) recognized. In a country where citizens claim that ‘no racism exists’, and will acknowledge la mezcla del pueblo, it is difficult to step outside of that and facilitate a separate sensibility of African culture and identity. Often times it is not appreciated. In addition, the ethnic groups that do receive recognition and political inclusion are the 36 Indigenous groups. The community and political/cultural initiatives that are making the most difference are Indigenous, not African. Their sensibility and contributions are more accepted.

During the first 2 weeks of classes, I’ve been reading much about the process by which Afro-Venezuelans have realized themselves, created a culture of identity and name upon which the culture can stand (gracias a Juan Pablo Sojo), and pushed forth with political initiatives. There is much to be said about the history of African slaves in South America and the Caribbean, the foundation of (fugitive) slave communities, the creolization of cultures and the subsequent forming of the Black identity, and the process of ‘active marooning’ (more on this later) that has taken place and will continue to take place in Venezuela and surrounding nations.

p.s.

My favorite bit of information thus far? Prof. Correa shared with us that his point of self-realization as an Afro-Venezuelan was the first time he saw a documentary about Martin Luther King Jr. I’ve also heard similar sentiments from others in this area (“…the first time I saw Roots when I was little, I realized that there was something bigger going on..”).

Not what I was expecting.

** “Buena Presencia (good presence)” is a term used in popular Venezuelan culture to describe a fair skinned person, often times used in job postings. For example, as Professor Correa explained, a job posting will list certain criteria: 5 years of experience, good work ethic, a University degree, and “Buena Presencia” a.k.a. fair skin/good physical attributes. This is the manner in which open discrimination against the African descendent population has become common. I chose this as the title of this post because despite any notion that Afro-Venezuelans no tienen ‘una buena presencia’, I beg to differ. Their presence, since the very beginning, has been of utmost importance.