The Practice of slavery was abolished in Argentina in the year 1853. Although, in 1813, the freedom of newborn slaves and all enslaved people who set foot on Argentine soil was decreed, the abolition of slavery was only declared in the Argentine Constitution of 1853 and was implemented in the province of Buenos Aires after 1861.
However, this did not change the fortunes of the Afro-Argentines, as it only brought further suffering to them. Argentina’s leaders, who were mostly Spanish businessmen, stressed the importance of modernizing Argentina and citing Europe as the birthplace of civilization and progress…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
Their thoughts were akin to those held by other predominantly white European nations during that era, who believed that anything pertaining to white signified advancement, whereas anything pertaining to dark skin was considered retrogression. The Spanish colonists believed that Argentina would have to physically, mentally and culturally destroy its Black population to join the ranks of other advanced nations like Germany, France, and England.
The Spanish colonists decided to implement severe economic policies and practices that would result in the disadvantage or loss of predominantly black afro-argentines men.
When Argentina was confronted with the prospect of becoming involved in the most bloody interstate conflict in Latin American history, commonly referred to as the Paraguayan war of the triple alliance, a significant number of afro-argentines were dispatched to fight.
Unfortunately, thousands of Afro-Argentines died in this war because most of them had very little military training. Other severe circumstances imposed by the Spanish colonists on the afro-argentines included systemic controlled poverty, unfavourable government policies aimed at marginalizing them, elevated infant mortality rates, and a limited number of married couples within their ethnic group. Due to the discriminatory treatment they were subjected to, a significant number of Afro-Argentines were forced to flee their homeland and relocate to Uruguay.
Those who remained in Argentina were faced with the challenge of battling the cholera epidemics in 1861 and 1864, as well as the yellow fever epidemic in 1871, in what many refer to as a biological weapon to eradicate the afro-argentines population. These tragic events resulted in a substantial decline and a significant exodus of Afro-Argentinians from Argentina to other parts of South America, or, regrettably, to their demise.
The barbaric act was not limited to Argentina, but also included its neighbouring countries. Particularly, Brazil, Cuba, Columbia, and other Latin American nations attempted to eradicate or marginalize their black population and usher in a steady stream of European immigrants. The uniqueness of Argentina’s story is due to its success in establishing and rebranding its image as a predominantly white country.
When the Spanish-controlled Argentine government realized that the country was experiencing a significant decline in population due to its expulsion of the Afro-Argentine population, they devised a plan to open its borders to anyone of European descent living abroad. The goal was to attract other white people from other parts of the world to live and work in Argentina with additional incentives. One of the strongest incentives was the promise of citizenship and social assistance benefits.
Juan Bautista Alberdi, an Argentine political theorist and diplomat, who was probably best known for his saying “to govern is to populate,” played a big role in encouraging White European immigration to Argentina in the 1850s. Alberdi’s concepts were enthusiastically embraced by the then-president of Argentina, Justo José de Urquiza, who incorporated them into the first constitution of the nation.
this amendment resulted in influx of white settlers from Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and Belgium.
This marked the onset of the decline of the Afro-Argentine population and the establishment of Argentina as a nation dominated by whites. This is Argentina as you see it now.
One of the founding fathers of the apartheid policies against the Afro-Argentines was Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, who was an Argentine activist, intellectual, writer, and statesman at that time. Later, he became the seventh president of Argentina, which made it easier for Argentina to set up an all-white apartheid system. Furthermore, he resisted racial equality and was a prominent advocate for Argentina’s transformation into a nation more akin to Europe than African or Amerindian.
Sarmiento was quoted as saying that: “Twenty years hence, it will be necessary to travel to Brazil to see Blacks.” Although he was aware of the existence of Black Argentines long before the majority of white settlers arrived, he suggested that the country would struggle to recognize them for a long time. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Sarmiento was accountable for the economic and other forms of genocide that decimated the Afro-Argentinian population, resulting in a small population of black Argentinians during the early 1900s. Under Sarmiento’s watch, the Argentine government ignored calls for inclusion of Afro-Argentinians in the national population census. His apartheid policies included the separation of blacks from Europeans and the placement of blacks in abandoned communities with few medical facilities. It was the Sarmiento government who deliberately halted medical treatment for the Afro-Argentines, when cholera was prevalent, leading to the deaths of many afro-argentines, mostly males.
Sarmiento was also responsible for the mass imprisonment and extrajudicial murder of Afro-Argentinean men. Black Argentine men were punished with a harsher penalty for any crime they committed than European men. This was similar to the practice that was created during the Jim Crow era in America, which involved locking up black males to mentally destroy black families. Regrettably, this discriminatory behaviour severely impacted the Afro-Argentinean women, leaving them with little choice but to have children with white-European settlers.
Because of years of racial apartheid policies, black afro-argentines women who had children with white settlers were forced to either pass as white or Amerindian to get the benefits of whiteness for their children and themselves. Many black women in Argentina had to use laws to improve their lives. Black afro-argentine women were subjected to an oppressive regime that dictated their well-being and that of their children.
As time passed, Sarmiento’s political activities and outspokenness caused the military dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas to exile him to Chile in 1840. While in exile in Chile, Domingo Sarmiento made a damning statement against the Afro-Argentines, and I quote him:
“We must be reasonable with the Spaniards,” he wrote, “by exterminating a savage people whose territory they were going to occupy, they merely achieved what all civilized people have done with savages, what colonization did consciously or unconsciously: absorb, destroy and exterminate.”
The economic downturn compelled many Blacks and mulattos in Argentina to seek alternative statuses beyond that of black, provided that they could settle into more ambiguous racial and ethnic categories. This resulted in the creation of a third race, a eugenic practice that Europeans propagated throughout the countries they colonized, with South Africa serving as a notable illustration.
Unfortunately, these categories were morphed into criollo (a pre-immigrant background often associated with Spanish or Amerindian ancestry), morocho (tan coloured like), and pardo (brown skin coloured). Many Afro-Argentines dissociated themselves from their blackness at a time when that was a state requirement, even though they eventually saw them as “others.”
The issue was so bad that even Carlos Saúl Menem, the former president of Argentina, found it easy to incorrectly state that blacks do not exist in Argentina and that this is a Brazilian issue.
Many false historical books in Argentinian schools went on to erase the history of Afro-Argentinians, who were once the true inhabitants of the land and throughout South America, supporting Carlos Menem’s illegitimate claim.
Even when their first-ever president, Bernardino de la Trinidad González Rivadavia, was an afro-argentine, modern-day Argentina continued to deny the impact of the Afro-Argentines. Bernardino was said to have a dark appearance because of his African background. He was later honoured as a respected captain-general. His remains are buried today in a mausoleum on Plaza Miserere, next to Rivadavia Avenue, which is named after him.
Afro-Argentines are very alive and surviving in Argentina, but unfortunately, the current image of Argentina does not reflect their presence. Today, there is still a large Afro-Argentine community in the Buenos Aires districts of San Telmo and La Boca.
Argentina’s football team, considered one of the world most cherished national teams and Argentinians finest, embodies the essence of modern Argentina, sporting a look that reflects their apartheid past. Despite the existence of Afro-Argentinians, the national football team still features players of European descent
Cases of abuse against children seem to be more common but are no less shocking despite their regularity.
Recently, a shocking case of child abuse came to light for law enforcement in Madison County, Illinois when a two-year-old was taken for medical help by her mother.
Staff at the medical facility immediately identified abuse against the child and called in law enforcement to investigate further.
The details of the case are shocking and reveal the lack of care for her daughter from 31-year-old Take and the depravity of 40-year-old Miller.
The case against the two detailed the two-year-old was assaulted by Miller on at least two occasions on July 10th and 23rd.
Authorities believe Take knew her daughter had been sexually assaulted by Miller, but she failed to inform law enforcement or medical professionals of the abuse.
It is believed the mother of the child continued to leave Miller alone with her daughter despite the abuse she had already suffered.
Police believe the couple was using cocaine prior to the abuse of the two-year-old with reports stating the drug was used to subdue the child during the periods of abuse.
Miller is accused of sexually assaulting the child and biting her during the attacks which police believe took place two weeks apart.
When medical assistance was finally sought for the child following the second assault that took place on June 23rd, medical staff at Anderson Hospital, Troy, Illinois called in police because they suspected abuse had taken place.
Police reports show medical staff identified human bites covering the body of the two-year-old, including those identified on her leg, foot, and hand.
Appearing in court, the couple were charged with a range of crimes including three charges of sexual assault and four of aggravated battery for Matthew Miller.
Police do not believe Lacey Take took part in the sexual abuse of her daughter but they do agree she was complicit in knowing the abuse was ongoing and failed to act in the interests of the child.
Take was eventually charged with two counts of child endangerment and permitting sexual abuse of a child.
The seriousness of the crimes committed by Take and Miller was shown in the high level of bail set at $1 million for Miller and $500,000 for Take.
Sabrina, a 25-year-old archaeologist, had roamed the globe uncovering ancient secrets and braving forgotten ruins. Yet, no matter where she went, her thoughts always drifted back to Franklin, her partner. Franklin, a 30-year-old history professor, had entered her life under the dim lights of a museum, their shared curiosity sparking an undeniable connection. When Franklin proposed during a candlelit rooftop dinner in his classic apartment, Sabrina’s joy was immediate and overwhelming. She said yes without hesitation, and as Franklin slid the ring onto her finger, their embrace marked the intertwining of two lives…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
Eager to introduce Franklin to her mother, Veronica, Sabrina drove with him to her childhood home in the countryside. The house, framed by a rose-covered fence and surrounded by fields and forests, felt like a world apart from their busy lives. When Veronica opened the door, her eyes studied Franklin with fleeting recognition.
“He looks so much like Francis,” she murmured, her voice tinged with something Sabrina couldn’t place.
“Who’s Francis, Mom?” Sabrina asked, puzzled.
Veronica hesitated before replying, “An old friend of mine.”
Sabrina sensed something odd but brushed it off, thinking her mother’s reaction was just nerves. What she didn’t realize was that her mother’s past was about to cast a long shadow over their future.
In the early days of their new life together, Sabrina, Franklin, and Veronica filled their home with laughter and warmth. They gathered around the dining table, shared meals, and reminisced over Sabrina’s childhood. Franklin quickly became part of the family, and Veronica’s initial reserve melted into genuine affection for her future son-in-law.
One evening, as Sabrina flipped through old photo albums, her phone rang. The urgency in her voice cut through the cozy atmosphere as she learned of a week-long assignment in Egypt. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she hugged Franklin goodbye.
“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me,” she whispered.
Franklin’s smile was soft but sincere. “I’ll wait for you,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
With Sabrina away, Veronica and Franklin spent more time together. Meals carried a nostalgic flavor for Franklin, as though he had tasted them before. Evenings turned into chess games, a ritual they both enjoyed. Veronica began noticing uncanny similarities between Franklin and Francis, her lost love from years ago—his subtle habits, the way he sipped his tea, his laughter, and his strategic moves on the chessboard. It became harder to dismiss the notion that these similarities were more than coincidence.
One evening, as they prepared dinner, Franklin accidentally cut his palm. Veronica swiftly grabbed a first-aid kit, but as she bandaged his hand, her breath caught. A small scar on his palm mirrored one Francis had from a childhood accident. Veronica’s hands trembled as she retrieved an old photograph of herself and Francis and handed it to Franklin.
Franklin’s gaze locked onto the photo. A wave of dizziness struck him as memories once murky began to crystallize. Faces, places, and moments he had forgotten surged forward. His past, a puzzle missing critical pieces, now began to make sense. Veronica, too, saw the truth as the puzzle pieces aligned.
Sabrina returned home eager to reunite with Franklin, but unease crept in as her neighbor, Delilah, mentioned seeing Franklin and Veronica unusually close, even dancing together in the living room. Entering the house, Sabrina’s heart sank at the sight of Franklin and Veronica locked in an intimate embrace.
Veronica and Franklin exchanged heavy glances, their faces etched with guilt and sorrow. Veronica took a shaky breath.
“Sabrina, there’s something you need to know,” Veronica began. “Franklin isn’t who you think he is. He’s actually Francis—your biological father.”
The words hit Sabrina like a punch. Her mind raced, struggling to process the revelation. Franklin stepped forward, his voice trembling.
“It’s true,” he confessed. “When I was with Veronica, fragments of my memories returned. I was Francis, deeply in love with her, but I lost those memories after a lightning strike. I didn’t age, and I became someone else—Franklin. I had no idea I had a daughter, no idea about my past until now.”
On a stormy afternoon years ago, Francis and Veronica had a heated argument. In a moment of fury, Francis stormed out into the tempest. Lightning struck him, erasing his memories and halting his aging. He wandered into a new city, unaware of the family he had left behind. It was only after reconnecting with Veronica and Sabrina that his memories resurfaced.
Sabrina’s world crumbled. The man she had loved and planned to marry was her biological father. Overwhelmed, she fled into the torrential rain, desperate to escape the unbearable truth.
Veronica and Franklin raced after her, calling her name through the storm. Near the edge of the forest, they found Sabrina beneath a tree, shivering and drenched. Veronica sprinted to her daughter, but Sabrina shrank back.
“Why has everything turned out like this?” Sabrina sobbed.
Veronica, tears streaming down her face, took Sabrina’s trembling hand. “I’m so sorry, my dear. I never knew Francis was alive. I never wanted this to happen.”
Suddenly, lightning tore through the sky. Franklin lunged forward, pulling Sabrina out of harm’s way. The lightning struck him, and he collapsed. Veronica rushed to his side but slipped and hit her head, losing consciousness.
At the hospital, the doctors revealed that Franklin had survived, but the lightning had triggered a change—he was aging normally again. Gray streaks appeared in his hair, and wrinkles lined his face. As Franklin and Veronica regained consciousness, the family embraced, their tears mingling with relief.
Despite the pain, Sabrina began to accept the truth of her origins. Conversations with Veronica helped mend their fractured relationship. She came to see Franklin’s love for her as her father, not a mistake, and found forgiveness in her heart.
Ten years later, Sabrina had become a renowned archaeologist, her life filled with adventures and discoveries across the globe. Through it all, she carried a profound peace, knowing that love and forgiveness had been the cornerstones of her healing and growth.
At 25, McKenzie, a graduate of a prestigious school, had no interest in hard work or gradual success. Instead, she dreamed of luxury and opulence, believing the quickest path to it was landing a wealthy man. While her classmates built careers, McKenzie hunted for rich men, but none met her high standards.
One day, while in Times Square, her eyes landed on Vincent’s image on a huge billboard. Vincent, in his 40s, was the owner of a renowned private bank. McKenzie’s eyes sparkled with opportunity. She soon learned that Vincent needed a housekeeper for his grand estate. Wasting no time, she applied for the position and was hired. McKenzie’s plan was clear: get close to Vincent, seduce him, and secure the luxurious life she craved…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
One evening, as Vincent showered, McKenzie explored his bedroom. Her eyes fell on a used condom in the trash. An impulsive idea struck her. She took it, intending to get pregnant and bind Vincent to her. McKenzie hadn’t considered the true cost of her reckless gamble.
After successfully becoming pregnant, McKenzie quit her job, eager to start her new life with the twins she believed were Vincent’s. She spent months meticulously planning her next steps—giving birth and confronting Vincent to demand his support. Convinced that presenting the children would force him to accept her and elevate her into his high society world, she waited for the perfect moment.
When the twins were born, McKenzie, fueled by excitement and confidence, brought them to Vincent’s home. She demanded that he acknowledge the children and provide financial support. Vincent, taken aback, clearly remembered never having an intimate relationship with her. Realizing McKenzie’s deception, he promptly ordered her to leave his home.
Furious and determined to exact revenge, McKenzie devised a dramatic scheme. She sought not just financial support but public retribution. She returned to Vincent’s bank, bringing the children with her. In the lobby, she caused a commotion by projecting fabricated images onto a large screen—doctored photos of intimate moments between her and Vincent. The provocative visuals quickly drew a crowd. People gossiped, filmed, and shared the footage on social media.
Amid the chaos, McKenzie accused Vincent of seduction and abandonment, claiming he had fathered her children. The video spread rapidly, becoming one of the most infamous scandals of the time. The fallout was severe. Vincent faced immense public pressure. His reputation crumbled, clients withdrew their money, and business partners severed ties with his bank. The financial losses escalated, and Vincent knew he needed to resolve the situation swiftly to save his career.
McKenzie was relentless, taking Vincent to court and demanding child support for the twins. She believed her fabricated evidence and story of being a single mother abandoned by a wealthy man would secure her victory. Vincent, however, remained quiet, watching her drama unfold.
At the trial, when the judge ordered a DNA test, McKenzie eagerly agreed, confident it would confirm Vincent’s paternity. She thought her fabricated evidence would shield her from the truth. But when the DNA results were revealed, McKenzie was struck dumb—the test confirmed that Vincent was not the father of the twins.
Shock and panic swept over McKenzie. In her desperation, she blurted out a confession she had never intended to make: “That’s impossible! These kids have to be his! I took his used condom to get pregnant!” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
The courtroom fell silent in disbelief. Vincent, who had been observing calmly, burst into laughter. This was the moment he had been waiting for. McKenzie’s scheme unraveled before the entire court. Her reckless and manipulative plot had backfired spectacularly.
Vincent stood and addressed the judge with calm authority. “Your Honor, the night McKenzie claims to have stolen my used condom, I wasn’t even home. I was hosting a party but left early due to an emergency at the bank. I didn’t return until the next morning.”
McKenzie’s face drained of color. She stammered, “Then whose condom was it?”
Vincent smiled, his eyes glancing toward the courtroom doors. “It belonged to Sawyer, my gardener.”
At that moment, Sawyer, Vincent’s former gardener, entered the courtroom. It was revealed that during Vincent’s absence, Sawyer had been sneaking into the house and using it as his own. The condom McKenzie had taken was not Vincent’s but Sawyer’s.
Vincent presented additional evidence, including a DNA test confirming Sawyer was the father of the twins. He accused McKenzie of fabricating her story, defaming him, and attempting to extort money. The judge, having heard the full truth, delivered a verdict: McKenzie was found guilty of defamation, fraud, and orchestrating a scandal to extort Vincent.
McKenzie was sentenced to prison and held responsible for raising the two children. Her screams of denial echoed through the courtroom as the reality of her downfall set in.
Vincent, having won the case, restored his reputation and salvaged his career. Despite the temporary setbacks, he successfully defended himself against McKenzie’s deceitful scheme. McKenzie, once a young woman seeking a shortcut to luxury, learned the harsh lesson that shortcuts and deceit only lead to painful consequences.
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