Mestizo racism in Ecuador

Abstract

This paper uses semi-structured interviews with Ecuadorian “white mestizos” of the upper classes to provide insights into the nature of racism in Ecuador. Interview data illuminate the specifics of racism and discrimination suffered by some of those labelled as mestizos, demolishing anew the idea of a homogenous mestizaje. Longo and cholo emerge as specific ethnic terminology used to create a racial/class distinctions among mestizos struggling for ethnoracial capital in a newly defined plurinational and intercultural state. These findings are contrasted with recent progressive state policies that address the plight of groups historically marginalized or ignored by the Ecuadorian narrative of mestizaje, but fail to look within mestizaje to battle against the remnants of colonial constructions of power and difference.