Uruguay
Susana Andrade questioned councilor Osvaldo Matteu over remarks about the Afro-descendant population
The leader called for a public correction and warned that his comments are incompatible with equality, dignity and human rights. She also called for a debate on racism and discrimination in Uruguay.
Susana Andrade expressed in Caras y Caretas Uruguay a political, human and institutional condemnation of the statements by National Party councilor Osvaldo Matteu, considering that his words affect democratic coexistence and are incompatible with the values of equality, dignity, respect and human rights.
According to her, the fact that an authority says that Afro-descendant people are “human beings just like us” amounts to drawing a distinction that should not exist. Andrade said the problem is not limited to a single phrase, but to the outlook behind it, because it places some people in the position of those who recognize and others in the position of those who wait to be recognized.
In her text, published by Caras y Caretas Uruguay, she also questioned the idea that the Afro-descendant population has its place today because it “earned it fair and square.” She pointed out that human rights are not favors or prizes, but are inherent to all people, and stated that what the Afro-descendant population has achieved is a recognition that is still insufficient in the face of historical injustices linked to slavery, racism and discrimination.
Andrade also stressed that Uruguay officially recognizes that the Afro-descendant population was a victim of racism, discrimination and stigmatization, and recalled that there are laws, public policies and reparative measures because formal equality was not enough to correct real inequalities.
In that context, she called for a “clear and unequivocal” public correction by Matteu. She added that, if there is no understanding of the seriousness of what was said or willingness to repair the harm, it is appropriate to reflect on his continuity in a public representative role.
The author said the episode should also serve to promote training sessions on racial discrimination and institutional racism, as well as to open a debate on the prejudices that, in her view, persist in Uruguayan society.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this event.
