Essay Sample on Racism and Discrimination of Native Peruvians

Introduction

The country of Peru has been known to discriminate and marginalize against the native Peruvians. Different images have depicted the struggle that Peruvians in the native communities have been put through, as a way of showcasing the massive spread of racism and discrimination toward this group of people. This essay seeks to analyze three images in highlighting the discrimination and racism that native Peruvians continue to experience in their own country.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Natives in Peru were expected to conform to the new culture and disregard their old ways. One of the images showcasing discrimination is the painting of two men, a black man and a white man, standing side by side. In this portrait, the short white man is presumably staring begrudgingly at the tall black man. This picture attempts to highlight how the natives were viewed by the Peruvians, especially since those who practiced the native culture and were discriminated against (World Bank N.pag). Additionally, the natives were considered to be savages for practicing a culture that was considered outdated, hence the irregular size of the black man.

Since discrimination was rampant, segregation of the natives was a common occurrence. The image of a white soldier standing next to black child further depicts the segregation in the region. The power dynamics in Peru simply favored the white Peruvians while the natives were confined to poverty and extreme conditions that inhibited economic growth in the regions where they occupied (World Bank N.pag; Collyns N.pag). This image can be regarded as showing how the minorities received very minimum consideration in terms of obtaining political and economic growth. The contrast created by the skin complexions of the two individuals is also a portrayal of racism, where the whites were allowed to hold positions of power, such as the soldier in the image. The child is a representation of the inferiority complex of the native Peruvians, who faced social pressure to disregard their practices for them to be socially included in the regular activities.

Furthermore, segregation was displayed on images of worn-out buildings where the natives lived. The image of several buildings in the wilderness clearly depicts the social isolation that the natives were forced to endure. According to the Peru Support Group, natives have numerous disadvantages in terms of accessing social amenities since they are forced to move to areas that are isolated and lack resources for their survival (1). This situation is further supported by the government's inability to provide equal opportunities for all citizens since the natives are discriminated against. The image, therefore, manages to capture the isolation that the natives live in, thereby highlights the effects of discrimination and racism.

By analyzing the images, it is evident that racism and discrimination affect the natives of Peru who miss out on various opportunities and are forced to live in isolation and endure poverty. All images have a similar aspect that attempts to draw a clear boundary between the inferior and superior groups, to highlight these plights. Martin Chambi thus presents the plight of the natives, and in his images, the cry of these people to be accepted as Peruvian citizens.

Works Cited

Collyns, Dan. "Peru tries to end discrimination against African-Peruvians". The Guardian. 12 July 2012. Web. 06 February 2019.

Peru Support Group. "Discrimination and Inequality". Society and Conflict. 2013. Web. 06 February 2019.

The World Bank. "Discriminated against for speaking their own language". 16 April 2014. Web. 06 February 6, 2019.