The Hidden Black Presence in South America’s “Whitest” Country | Ep.18 Julia Cohen Ribeiro

Argentina is often described as one of the “whitest” countries in South America, a nation known for its strong European identity and influence. But there’s another Argentina that rarely makes it into the global spotlight: a country with deep African roots and a living Afro-descendant community. So why is Argentina’s Black presence so often overlooked? In this episode of Black & Borderless, we sit down with Afro-Argentine activist, artist and Afro-tourism director Julia Cohen Ribeiro, who has made it part of her life’s work to bring visibility to Argentina’s overlooked African heritage and present-day Afro-descendant community. Julia takes us inside a history many people have never heard, from the significant presence of Africans and their descendants in early Argentina to the forces that contributed to their disappearance from the country’s dominant national narrative. We also explore what it means to be Afro-Argentine today, why Argentina came to be viewed as a predominantly white and European nation, and whether racism and invisibility continue to shape the experiences of Black Argentines. And after Samuel L. Jackson sparked controversy by calling Argentina “one of the most racist countries in the world,” we ask Julia directly: Was he right? This is the story of the Black Argentina the world rarely sees. Black & Borderless: When the diaspora connects, power multiplies. 👍 LIKE the video to support the movement 🔔 Hit SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations with people shaping the global Black economy 📱 FOLLOW us on social media [@BlackAndBorderless] 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts #africadiaspora #podcast #argentina