During a meeting this Wednesday morning (9) with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, in Buenos Aires, the Argentine President, Alberto Fernández, declared that “the Mexicans came from the Indians, the Brazilians, from the jungle, and we arrived in boats [da Europa]”. Then he voted: “My [sobrenome] Fernandez is proof of that. “
The Argentine leader believed he was referring to a sentence wrongly attributed to the Mexican writer Octavio Paz (1914-1998), Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1990, in which he would have mentioned the Aztec roots of Mexicans and the Inca origin of Peruvians. . Fernández is confused and the phrase is part of a song by composer Litto Nebbia.
See the video :
The expression considered racist reveals a deep cultural trait that minimizes or even denies the mixed-race roots of the Argentine population, a thought that has been present since the 19th century among important intellectuals and leaders.
After the repercussions, the Argentine president posted a message on Twitter in which he said “our diversity is a source of pride” and apologized “to anyone who felt offended or made impossible”.
On social media in Brazil, the reaction was immediate. “Implicit prejudiced jerk,” wrote one user.
It should be remembered that Brazil and Argentina are major trading partners and that the flow of tourists (before the pandemic) between the two countries is also considerable, although there is a sporting rivalry which often has a negative impact on the region. society.
Having said that, if you were in Buenos Aires this morning alongside Fernández and the Spanish Prime Minister, what would you say in response to the Argentine President? What advice would you give to the neighboring chef? Send an email to [email protected].
Do not forget to indicate your name, age, profession and city. We’ll post the best answers – which obviously don’t include swear words or offensive, pissy, racist, and prejudiced terms.
Folha thanks everyone for their participation!