Key factors in the naturalization and reproduction of racism in higher education in Latin America. Learnings for the design of anti-racist policies and initiatives.

Abstract

In Latin America, higher education plays a significant role in the reproduction and naturalization of racism. Recognition of the importance of this problem and the need to combat it has given rise to numerous initiatives, as well as the approval of recommendations in this regard at regional conferences on higher education. However, among significant actors in this field, including public policymakers, authorities, and managers of higher education institutions and quality assurance agencies, it is possible to observe the prevalence of a certain interpretation of the idea of racism according to which, since it is a "structural" phenomenon, nothing could be done by the respective institutions, agencies, secretariats or ministries. This a priori conception of the problem obstructs studies and the design of policies and initiatives to combat it. This article presents the results of the review of the answers given by 452 people from 18 Latin American countries to an opinion survey carried out in the last four months of 2023, which allows us to identify significant institutional and systemic factors that contribute to the reproduction and naturalization of racism. Based on this information derives useful lessons for the design of anti-racist policies and initiatives.