Articles by: Karen Juanita Carrillo
The election of Barack Obama sent shock-waves of pride and excitement through communities of African descent in Latin America. From Colombia to Cuba, and Peru to Venezuela, Afro-Latino activists celebrated Obama's victory at the polls as their own. Although activists noted the symbolic power of an Obama presidency, some remained questioned whether his administration would change U.S. policies negatively affecting their communities and nations.
Human rights activists from Latin America met in the Brazilian capital of Brasília in June to talk about and evaluate the efforts regional governments have made toward eradicating racism and discrimination. The conference is part of an ongoing process initiated by the landmark 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa.