A Reflection on Racism and Sexism

Wednesday, March 8th I found myself amidst a line of women, linked hand in hand in solidarity for women’s rights locally and internationally. We wore the color black to honor and remember those who lost their lives fighting for equality, representation, and justice. Additionally, we represented those in societies where women have limited presence outside of the traditional roles. As we looped around the Mercado Modelo and up towards the Plaza de Armas, I could not help but wonder where were all the other women in Chimbote? How does the struggle differ for Afro-Peruvian Women? and better yet how does my own experience as a Black Woman from the United States relates to the diaspora in Peru? Perhaps these questions do not have definite answers and maybe that is how it should be, for the vagueness leaves room for growth and improvement.

In conversations with Chimbotanos I often hear “We live in a machismo society.” This statement holds true in a consistent subtle manner. In the way that few women drive, men are not expected to contribute to the household besides providing income, and the domestic violence both physical and verbal that often goes unresolved, are just a few examples. Machismo, the strong and often aggressive masculine pride, is so rooted in the culture that often citizens do not realize that it is a problem worth correcting. Knowing that a female is unequal and treated more like an object rather than a whole person who deserves respect, can lead to complacency and jadedness if unable to find an outlet. The greater problem lies in when one has grown up in such a society that to consider an alternate way of living is beyond anyone’s imagining. However, that does not mean that all women are satisfied with the imbalance of power and willing to remain mute. I believe there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the treatment of women both in Chimbote and even globally that has been made evident with campaigns such as “Ni una menos” and informational fairs encouraging women to speak up and step out of the abusive relationship. 

“El que no tiene de Igna tiene de Mandigna”

     Outside of the immediate context of Chimbote, the themes of racism and sexism touch women of color in Peru and the United States in parallel ways. As a Black American Woman raised in the land of freedom and the American Dream, the color of my skin and my gender automatically set me back from my peers. The moment I enter into the workforce my pay would most likely be less than that of my male counterparts and my features would not be deemed as beautiful but rather something to mock and change as a result of historical events. Recently throughout the United States, women of color have been making some headway with obtaining greater representation in the media and visual images. According to a Huffington Post article, Black feminists are pushing to be incorporated into the daily perception of beauty rather than as exocitic or appropriated. The movement initially focused on  reproductive issues, equality in health care prevention of sexual harassment, and other pertinent issues. However, Lindsay Hoffman, the writer, explains that “[today] the movement is pushing for the return of African-American women to African standards of beauty, as seen in the natural hair movement. In a society where only one type of beauty is celebrated, the Black feminist is working so that we not only call silky hair and light skin pretty but also coarse, kinky hair and dark skin.” TV shows such as “Scandal” and “Because of Jane” help to portray African American women who are intelligent, influential, and graceful. Opposed to the common “Angry black woman” or the “servant” stereotype. Thus improving the idea that Black woman can obtain high level positions and/or be educated. Fortunately, Black feminist are aiming to include voices of all minorities and to address the multifaceted nature of the woman.

The progress of the Black feminist movement has encouraged Latinas with African ancestry to unite by creating a label for themselves: Afro-Latinas. Unfortunately, media often omits or rather diminishes cultural diversity both within the United States and Latin America. The issue of colorism, which is privileging lighter skin over darker skin, within Peru specifically, creates a false reality that is then attempted to be made real via individual interactions and governmental legislation. From a CNN article commenting on the complexities of prejudice in Peru, the piece explains that “the country has socio-economic gaps along race lines and its inherent, if subtle, discrimination can mean an indigenous woman may only ever work as a maid; a black man may only ever aspire to be a hotel doorman.” In other words, fair skinned women with the ideal body type, following European beauty standards, are those who have the best entertainment roles, jobs, and overall societal treatment. Yet this ignores so many of those who have contributed to the country’s story. But as a foreigner, I did not want to force my experiences and understanding of racism to that of Peru’s. Therefore, out of curiousity I asked Peruvian women their perspective on racism and gender discrimination in Peru.

Initially, their responses invited me to think that racism does not really exist in Chimbote or Peru at large. Instead the use of words such as “Negra” and “Morena” are used to identify someone because of their difference just as one might say “Gorda” or “Flaca.” However from Afro Peruvians themselves, their experiences say otherwise. From a Youtube channel, Una Chica Afroperuana, two girls talk about comments they are tired of hearing. Comments such as, “eres bonita para ser negra/ you are pretty for a black girl” and “la mayoria de cosas negativas, lo vinculamos con el color negro/ the majority of negative things are described with the color black.” In other words, being black is associated to being not good enough and the very word has negative connotations. One has to wonder why hardly anyone says “you are pretty for a white girl.” These examples show that perhaps the racial discrimination may not be as apparent or oblivious as in the United States but it exists nonetheless.

If we follow the definition of the word “racism,” the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another thus determining cultural or individual achievement; then clearly Afro-Peruvian women are combating against more than machismo. Fortunately, their voices are beginning to be acknowledged. From a BBC article In 2010, Frecuencia Latina, a popular Peruvian channel, suspended a popular comedic character called El Negro Mama due to threat of legal action from Lundu, an African-Peruvian civil rights organisation led by Monica Carrillo. In 2012, an Afro-Peruvian woman became the first to win a racial discrimination case in Peru. Activist groups such as Ashanti Peru, based in Lima, make it their mission to strengthen Afro identity, leadership, human rights, and culture, locally and nationally.

Regrettably, women are still dealing with too many setbacks in today’s society, but if we choose to unite under dignity and love for one another, change is possible. With organizations such as La Casa de la Mujer, Lundu, and Ashanti Peru, the fight to continue uplifting women regardless of economic standing, cultural makeup, or skin color will persist. While keeping in mind women’s rights and equal representation. Thus, using International Women’s Day, not just a day to celebrate the power and beauty of women, but rather the reminder that yes, we have come along way, but we still have a long way to go! In the words of Bell Hooks, an American feminist and social activist, “The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom.” 


By Selene Mitchell - Incarnate Word Missionary

Living Laudato Si: Chimbote de Pie

Selene Mitchell, our Incarnate Word Missionary in Peru, lives Laudato Si by supporting the efforts of the local coalition 'Chimbote de Pie'.  This is a group of wonderful and brave people, who our JPIC Office met during our first community conversation of Laudato Si in Chimbote, Peru.

We rejoice in their achievements and we continue our commitment in their struggles and their dreams, because they are also ours. Learn about 'Chimbote de Pie' living Laudato Si, through Selene Mitchell.

I connected with Chimbote de Pie by chance at the book fair in Nuevo Chimbote back in November 2016. Chimbote de Pie, according to their Facebook page, “is a citizen collective made up of institutions, professional colleges, youth groups and citizens in general. United together for the purpose of informing, sensitizing, raising public awareness and requiring relevant authorities to comply with laws to stop pollution in our bay.”  Since its conception in 2014, the collective has held a number of workshops, information fairs, and bay cleanings. The group is led by Beverly Enriquez, an energetic and environmentally conscientious individual. She explains the initial reason for starting Chimbote de Pie, “It was to feed the pelicans that in certain seasons suffer and die for a lack of food source.  We were young animalists without knowledge of the real problem, but these pelicans brought us closer to the coast, where we could see all this violence against the bay and its biodiversity. We decided to help to make this stop ... and instead comply with laws and projects to stop pollution.”   Although initial efforts were to save the pelicans, overtime the group realized that tackling the root of the issue, reducing pollution in the bay, would result in improving aquatic life as well as the pelicans. 

I believe that we are all interconnected and need to not only sustain the other but provide support such that the other thrives. In this case, we as humans rely upon the land we live on and to blindlessly destroy the environment by pumping pollutants and chemicals into it weakens the land’s ability to produce adequately. If we throw non-degradable plastic bags, pump sewage, and toxic chemicals from factories into our oceans we kill all of the aquatic life, which provides food and in-turn jobs. Additionally these actions make our oceans unsafe to enjoy. By understanding that we are in relation to the land and not apart from it, we can then understand that we must change our ways. That is what being a part of Chimbote de Pie means to me. I have met wonderful and friendly environmental activists who realize that Chimbote’s bay is in a desperate state. Being a part of this group makes me feel empowered, confident, and informed. I am getting the chance to learn more about Chimbote’s bay and overall environmental issues. I have had the chance to meet Social Justice activists, and also own my voice on this issue.

Mid February various community groups held a march to fight against corruption and environmental contamination. That was my first time marching for justice and I felt inspired and alive. Seeing hundreds of people marching for justice both surprised and humbled me. Change often does not come easily but with resistance and time. But with consistency, unity, and perseverance Chimbote de Pie will get the wheels of government bureaucracy moving. Perhaps there has not been a shift in the thinking of many but if more people work to elevate their thinking and create new habits, little by little we will all see a better tomorrow. Yet, this is a gentle approach to moving forward. Humanity has reached a pinnacle of urgency that only massive unity and organization will be the way to create an effective and far reaching movement. I think in grassroots movements we could all acknowledge the difficulties and setbacks. However doing so does little to encourage those fighting to make a difference. Therefore, I prefer to celebrate the good that has been accomplished and that will continue to occur. I am honored to be a part of Chimbote de Pie and look forward to spreading the message “Detener la contaminación en la bahia.” (Stop polluting the bay). 

We thank Selene for her commitment to caring for creation.  And as Anne Mora says, 'in the face of the uneasiness and concern for the earth, seeing the citizens massively unite and organize - in order to create viable solutions - gives hope.  Because immediate changes could be implemented with equal representation of citizen, political, industrial and judicial power.”  Thank you for living Laudato Si!

Called to Mission

During the first weeks of January, I (Sr. Katty Huanuco) had the opportunity to share the spirituality and charism of our CCVI Congregation and the work of our Congregational JPIC Office with our lay missionaries in Lima, Peru.

These days of sharing gave everyone a chance to better understand Peruvian culture and society, its historical reality, and the challenges it presents to our mission in Peru. It was also a precious time to experience an inclusive retreat where all the memories and experiences from 2016 were reflected on in light of Scripture, in order to renew our commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable.

The first day we gathered together, and after having lunch with our sisters in Lima, we visited the Shipiba Community in Cantagallo, Lima. The shipiba-koniba community, are indigenous Amazonian communities living in Lima. This population has been recovering from a fire that left more than 280 families homeless in November. Sharing with the women artisans encouraged us in our work and reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening women's leadership. They gave us a lot of hope.

The next day, we visited the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History of Peru in order to understand the diversity of cultures in the country.  In the afternoon we arrived at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, a space that chronicles the last 20 years of violence in Peru. After these visits, we talked about our commitment to this country, its people and the world, to create a culture of more respect, nonviolence and peace.

After contemplating this reality, with the support of Sisters Ivonne and Carmelita, the missionaries had opportunities for reflection around our call to incarnate the merciful love of God in our concrete commitment in Peru.

Then there were 4 days of spiritual retreat, where the concrete faces of victims of human trafficking, the cries of the earth, and the victims of violence continued to call us to collaborate with God in healing the suffering of the world. One phrase we reflected on was, “be visible signs of community in diversity.” This is a call that continues to require us to be a presence of compassionate love that engages in the transformation of the world, so that the world can fulfill its plans to serve the joy of all women and men.

It is interesting to note that our lay missionaries Diana, Mark, Juan, Selena and Ana Catarina come from different cultures and countries, and have been in Peru since August 2016 with a missionary commitment in Chimbote for two years.

Thank you for helping us to extend the Mission and Work of the Incarnate Word as Lay Missionaries of the Incarnate Word. As a Peruvian, I feel very honored to have them among us, sharing the God of life with such humility and love. Our prayer accompanies your ministries in Chimbote. Blessings.