Choose a news category: All News Blog Entries MADRE Articles MADRE Statements Press Releases Talking Points Your Support in Action Go

Taking a Stand Against Racism in Peru

Posted on: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Keywords: Peru, Latin America and Caribbean

MADRE's partner organization in Peru, LUNDU, is dedicated to promoting respect for Peru’s populations of African descent and to combating racism and sexism. Last year, they launched a major media monitoring and anti-racism campaign, and MADRE has been working with LUNDU to mobilize against the reproduction of racist and sexist stereotypes on television.

Although the racist "El Negro Mama" character was initially suspended by the television station, it has since been reinstated due to popular support on Facebook (numerous fan pages for the racist character cropped up following its removal). Rather than recognizing its power to shape entertainment and promote humorous characters without resorting to racist stereotypes, the television station has chosen to ignore human rights in favor of ratings.
 
Despite this setback, LUNDU and other social justice organizations are continuing their campaign against racism in the media. Recently, over 200 human rights activists gathered in Lima to protest the continued presence of the characters on the television program. The organizations and activists are now awaiting a response from the Grievance Committee of Peru's Society for Radio and Television.

Monica Carrillo of LUNDU said:

We have more than 50 organizations that are part of this cause, that are calling for humor without discrimination, a new way of doing television and a society that decides not to use programs with discriminatory content.

Listen to the BBC coverage of the campaign »

« Back to "Press Room" Next Article »

Press Room

Article Tools

Increase Font Decrease Font Reset Font Print Page Email Page

Archives

"Press Room" Home May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 July 2006 June 2006 April 2006 March 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 April 2005 March 2005 November 2004 October 2004 April 2004 March 2004 January 2004 December 2003 October 2003 September 2003 June 2003 April 2003 January 2003 September 2002 June 2002 January 2002 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 January 2001