Examples Of Power In Latin America

Throughout history, there has always been an imbalance of power. This imbalance is commonly seen among people of different races, genders, and classes, to name a few examples. Latin America has historically experienced many events that have brought it to where it is today. Xica Da Silva is a Brazilian film that came out in 1976 and was directed by Carlos Diegues. This film takes place around the 18th century and follows the life of Xica Da Silva, a woman who was a mixed-race African Slave and, with her charms, won the heart of a diamond contractor and bought her freedom. The embodiment of power and its construct is seen throughout the film, within the slavery depicted, the underlying influence class and race had on individuals. One of the most

The force and power individuals have over others, all because of their background and the color of their skin, exhibit a construct of power that is seen throughout most of history. Aside from slavery, the mixing of races constructed another form of power within Latin America. An eye-catching event throughout the film is Xica’s actions and how she gained this power by being connected to Joao Fernandes, the diamond contractor. When she got together with Joao Fernandes, many of the aristocrats of the town had no power to complain or criticize her since Fernandes was the highest authority within the town at the time. The increase in racial mixing had the output of creating the caste system that influenced this behavior. As explained in Chasteen’s journal: “The late colonial period saw a marked rise in the portion of the population that was not white, not indigenous, and not African, but culturally and racially mixed.” (Chasteen 85) With the uprising of mixed races and mestizos, it became an unavoidable event that took place within colonial Latin America. The caste system created a forum that let others know that those of European blood or descent held more