Civil Rights, Bolivian Style
Bolivia is trying to pass an anti-racism law. President Evo Morales wants it to be illegal for the media to racially insult people publicly. This is a great idea, as racism between the indigenous Andean and the western Amazonian folk is even more blatant than Blacks/Whites at home. A common reason for not hiring someone is, "You're Colla. We're only looking for Camba!" -- which I witnesses firsthand within the American owned, Bolivian operated company I worked for!
What really strikes me about the proposed law is the public outrage. While an anti-racism law seems necessary to me, the rich East Side Cambas are trying to block it in courts, crying First Amendment-type freedom of speech violations. Critics vocally worry that this is the socialist government's first step in silencing opposition.
Since MAS (The Socialist Movement Party) controls Congress, the courts, and the executive office, I assume the anti-racism law will easily pass. But that doesn't mean that it's not a steep, uphill battle for legal protection for racial equality in Bolivia. Even though politics back home in the States sometimes feel overly conservative, it's important to remember how recent and progressive the Civil Rights movement was. It just takes some time for the rest of the world to catch up.
What really strikes me about the proposed law is the public outrage. While an anti-racism law seems necessary to me, the rich East Side Cambas are trying to block it in courts, crying First Amendment-type freedom of speech violations. Critics vocally worry that this is the socialist government's first step in silencing opposition.
Since MAS (The Socialist Movement Party) controls Congress, the courts, and the executive office, I assume the anti-racism law will easily pass. But that doesn't mean that it's not a steep, uphill battle for legal protection for racial equality in Bolivia. Even though politics back home in the States sometimes feel overly conservative, it's important to remember how recent and progressive the Civil Rights movement was. It just takes some time for the rest of the world to catch up.
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