Hello,
I really hate to even bring up this topic, but I was wondering about the severity of racism in Spain, especially towards non-white Latin Americans. I am planning to visit Madrid soon, but some people have told me horror stories about how racist the Spanish are towards non-whites. Is this at all true? A little about me, I'm Cuban American, speak fluent Spanish with a afro-carribean accent and even though I'm very light-skinned, my african heritage is still quite apparent. Like I said, I don't wish to accuse the Spanish of being bigoted, I'm just trying to find out if I'm going to have any problems while in Madrid, or anywhere else in the country for that matter. Whoever could help me with this matter, I would greatly appreciate it. Que tengan un buen dia, gracias!

Hey Miguel, jer here.

While this is a depressing topic, it is the reality of the situation and I prefer that you post it than pretending it does not exist, thanks for having the guts to do it.

Many message boards out there are very "idealistic" and do not allow such topics to be posted but they are only fooling themselves and hiding from life.

In my opinion racism in Spain does exist towards the Latin American and otehr non-white communities. However, I think it has less to do with the color of your skin than it does with that "look" a person may have and the country or area of the world that the "look" may tell people they come from. I think that the most discriminated against peoples in Spain are the:

1) Latin Americans.
2) Africans.
3) Spanish "Gitanos" ("Gypsies").

The reasons are multi-faceted for each group and way too many to get into but in brief, the illegal immigration problem, mostly of the "pateras" ("launches") that bring the exodus from Africa weekly to the southern coast of Spain has been a boiling pot and has created racist attitudes towards anyone who looks "African" (lighter or darker skin, it is all the same). Excluded would probably be most South Africans who are more white in complexion than anything else.

Another group of mainly "illegals" are the Latin Americans so they also get thrown into this category.

The racism against "Gitanos" is an age old problem here and it is the group that is probably most descriminated against by the rest of the Spaniards. It is comparable to the racism againts African Americans in the U.S.

It is imprtant to add that "Muslim" peoples reputations have been destroyed by the Sept. 11th attacks and while not as extreme here in Spain as in the U.S.A., there are anti "Muslim" attitudes.

The disgusting thing is that I would venture to say that about 75% (or more) of the Americans living here long-term ar illegal (mostly "tourists" who are over there 3 month legal stay) as well but since they are white and in, in theory, have money, the authorities do not bother to ever stop them on the streets and ask them to show their papers, something I have seen many times asked of dark-skinned people here.

I need to add that while racism does exist here, I do not see a violent side to it very often but instead it manifests itself only verbally. Thank god for small favors.

I would definitely not consider the Spanish bigots. They are an amazing people and I would not generalize about them. Most are reasonable and open-minded but, like anywhere in this world, there exists an unreasonable and ignorant part of society.

Miguel, please do not be afraid to experience this AMAZING country due to the color of your skin for that would be sadder than racism itself

So, that's my take on the subject. Hope we get other opinions as well.

Saludos,
jer...

Gracias Jer,

First of all for not taking me to task for bringing up such a gloomy subject and secondly for the info. I think I'll definitely still be coming to Madrid, as they say, you take the good with the bad and it seems from what I've read and heard there's far too much good about Madrid to pass it up.

Thanks again,

Miguel

Hey Miguel, actually, I think yours is a very real and appropriate thread and I congratulate you on it

Many may shy away from giving their opinions on this topic so the thread may end here but I am very glad that you have decided to come anyway, �Madrid me mola!

If there is anything I can do to help you further either through my website or when you arrive, do not hesitate to ask.

Saludos,
jer...

Dear Miguel & Jer,


I think Jer has already explained you very clearly and just being a foreigner and non-white I would like to put some of my personal experiences of four years, living in Madrid but right now I�m quite busy due to my scheduled travel out of Spain within few days.

I already have written part of it, the day you (Miguel) posted your message but I couldn�t complete it as I�m supposed to finish some important project before my travel.

This is the part of life which can happen any where in any country in due circumstances, so we can�t just impose on a particular country, group of people or on a specific place.

I�m an Indian, arrived here in Madrid on November 10, 1997 before that I was studying in Germany; I�ve completed my four years of stay on November 10, 2001(i.e. today), without any special problem which has no solution.

I�m happy for the things I got from Madrid rather than being sad for the things which I couldn�t!

Finally I wish to add most important point that I don�t have any idea of leaving Madrid in near future.
Wish you all the best and hope to see you soon in Madrid!

Hi,

I am an Englishwoman although my mixed race background means that I have dark curly hair, darkish skin and dark eyes. I have discovered that straightening my hair usually ensures better service,less rude and faster, in many shops and means fewer journeys on the metro where I am stared at by every other occupant of the carriage until I get off. However you should note that Spaniards do not consider it rude to stare at people, particularly foreigners, and blonde women of any nationality will be stared at until they are no longer in view!

Other than the odd very nasty look I have not experienced what I would describe as overt racism, probably because I am female, over the age of thirty, reasonably smartly dressed and often accompanied by a small child. But It is a sad truth that in the three months I have been here so far everyone I have seen being stopped and questioned by the police is young, male and with a non Spanish appearance.

My advice would be to definitely come -Madrid is a great place- but dress from the smarter end of your wardrobe, make sure you carry your id papers and accept the fact that you will be stared at.

Fiona,

I think you're right. I always get stared at in Madrid. The reason? My feet! I wear a 13 1/2 WWW (American size shoe). There's nothing in Spain available to fit my feet unless it's a board for surfing...

While sitting on my seat in the Metro, it's common for people to "nudge each other," to get someone else to look at my feet. At first it made me feel self-conscious, but then I grew to accept it, and just let it go, as if nothing is happening.

My wife gets the same treatment, but because she's blonde. I guess they have a field day with the two of us....

The one thing it did was cause us to realize that there's absolutely nothing in this world we can do to "blend in," as if we were Spaniards.

Of course that has made us a target for pick-pockets on a few occasions, but after they succeeded once, they don't get a second crack at us. Since I'm kind of a big guy, I can be kind of menacing...

JP

Never been to Spain, so cannot say,but racism works both ways....racism,rudeness,intimidation and crime by caribbean west indians against whites,especially against Portuguese is common in Bermuda ,I personally have suffered great losses,financial and otherwise ,due to discrimination from "african" and anglo europeans here ....... Also I don�t feel a �warm friendly�feeling in response from some spanish & europeans ,compared to my cuban,and SA friends who I'v found to be the warmest, friendliest spanish speaking people i know...in my humble opinion

What about being a Jew in Spain? Will people react negitively to me if they know I am Jewish? Let me add that I am a very open person and am excited to learn more about the Catholic traditions of Spain. I am also willing to share with others what being Jewish means to me.
Lulu81

Hey lulu, I am Jewish (although I do not practice religion) and I find that when Spaniards find out that I am, it either does not matter to them in the least or they find it interesting but never negative. My mom was born in Israel and spend her youth there but never really raised my brother and I religiously.

The only difficulty I can imagine your having here is if you are kosher or very orthodox. As an Orthodox jew, if you wear the traditional clothing, you will get stared at but it is not likely that you will be insulted or harassed.

Eating kosher in Spainis VERY difficult. While there are options and Fish is a big part of the Spanish diet, in the restaurnats it is often served in a dish with shellfish mixed in (clams for example).

I only mention this because I met a guy a few weeks ago for lunch who ate kosher and he ordered what seemed to be whitefish in a green sauce but when it came with clams mixed in he could not eat it. I had no idea he was kosher until after the food arrived and we were all eating while he just sat there. If I had kown I would have asked the waiter to leave the clams out or to bring him somehthing else.

One good option for kosher eaters would be the vegetarian restaurants in Madrid. There are many.

There is a seperate thread on this board on vegetarian eating in Madrid ---> CLICK HERE to go to it.

Saludos,
jer...

Thanks for your reply! I don't keep kosher so that won't be a problem.I just wanted to make sure I'd be accepted, and not harrased

Your welcome lulu, glad I could ease your anxiety

Saludos,
jer...

I traveled to Madrid recently with a friend, who happens to be African-American. We were never harassed by or treated any differently than the last time I was there with my daughter. Actually, there seemed be quite a few people of color in the city. The only time my friend had any indication of harassment was at the airport--she was stopped at every station! Even after we arrived back in Seattle, they had her open her checked luggage for them to look at--while the entire trip I never even got patted down. Racial profiling seems to be active at the airports-- when was there ever a plane hijacked by a middle aged black lady?

Hi,

I'm Asian and I've heard stories about how we are somewhat targeted more in some areas for mugging/pickpocketing. I was wondering if there is any kind of visible Asian population in Madrid, and if there are any kinds of widespread opinions/attitudes towards us, visitor or not. This thread has touched on many other minorities but not on Asians.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Wintermute, welcoem to the group

Madrid for one has quite a present Asian population (mostly Chinese) and (my opinion coming up), I do not see the racism towards them that one might be worried about. Sure, perhaps the marginal element here (thieves, muggers, etc...) might see Asian tourists as targets, I do not think that is the case more than any other racial group. On the other hand, maybe the thieves imagine the stereotypical Asian tourist with his/her 3 cameras around his/her neck and thinks that is a reality but I would not worry too much if I were you, I do not think Asians are any more of a target than other tourists.

Saludos,
jer...