Racial Discrimination: Afro-Panamanians in their Own Words

When I first arrived in Panama, I was curious to familiarize myself with the black narrative that exists in that country. One question that I often asked the residents was "Is racism a thing here or does racial discrimination exists?" Often times I did not receive a definite answer. This short film documentary gives insight into how race and ethnicity is viewed and whether or not racial discrimination still exists in the Republic of Panama.
This is my first short film documentary EVER! I hope you enjoy and get a better understanding and insight into what life is like through the eyes of Afro-Panamanians.
DISCLAIMER: I hereby do not own the rights to this song. All rights belong to the owner. No Copyright Infringement intended.

[@abrahamisaacmuciusiii691]

Shout to Afro Panamanian brothers and sisters ✊

[@eugenejuniormiles9334]

Rastafari started by a Jamaican worker that was living in Colon Panama by the canal but also Jamaican railroad workers in Limon. But Blacks have been the most influential in Panama. Mighty Cobra, Lord Kiki, Kafu Banton, ect big up the panama black panther party as well

[@natalydaze]

Chinese-Panamanian🙋‍♀️🇵🇦

[@AlisiaBolivar]

Love this! I know lots of Chinese Panamanians

[@chosenpeople5881]

No such a thang

[@leavefollow1698]

@@chosenpeople5881 Just like color right??

[@natalydaze]

​@Emmia B There are great resources about Asians in Latin America! I agree that it is interesting to see the mixture of cultures all over the world

[@natalydaze]

@Jevaun Santos Benjamin I would disagree that there isn't "much too care about". Chinese people (along with other ethnicities) were first introduced to Panama as labor for the railroad and later for the canal. The Latin America that you see today is a melting pot and various ethnic groups have contributed to its history. This video is a great representation of that. There's plenty of additional resources to help appreciate this rich diversity.

[@1socaholic]

Negro y orgulloso 🇵🇦✊🏾🇵🇦✊🏾🇵🇦

[@Quieromuchachas]

DJsocaholic ✊🏽🇺🇸🇵🇦🇮🇪✊🏽

[@MartinaMartinezz]

Amén

[@trumpsycho28]

A quien le importa.

[@Nutty151]

Que xopa shomvo.

[@omegamin_]

Yo afrodescendiente y también orgullosa

[@natashamunoz1825]

I have so much respect for the work you have put together to recognize this issue. I am American and my parents were born in Panama and we were raised in the states but its so true that the discrimination goes on within our own races needs to be addressed to make sure our culture is preserved.

[@shininglightllc]

I’m half Afro-Panamanian. Finally visiting for the first time next month! 🇵🇦

[@omarsantos-flores3921]

Shining Light ay im part afro Panamanian too. Panama is beautiful. My dad is from chorrera, where yo parent from?

[@brianapeterson8360]

I'm going for the first time in may !

[@abrahamisaacmuciusiii691]

What's your second ethnic background?

[@abrahamisaacmuciusiii691]

@@omarsantos-flores3921 What is your mom's race?

[@ojthebeast7735]

me too!😄

[@sareyet]

Thank you for this research and film. I lived in Panamá in the 90s and this seems more consistent with what I understood then vs what I am reading on expat forums regarding racism.

[@harlem1182]

I'm afro Puerto Rican and we get treated as nothing also 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@elizabethcool2241]

Ur so wrong. U was not raise on the island or around many PUERTO RICAN. MY PEOPLE DONT see COLOR. WE ARE ONE.

[@jmudikun]

Todavía tienes la oportunidad de rectificar. En Puerto Rico, SI, que existe esto, igual como en muchos países latinoamericanos con afrodescendientes

[@daphnee646]

I’m Cuban, Haitian. One thing I can tell you that Puerto Rican are open minded people. They embrace one another even the darker skin are good friends with white looking Puerto Rican. Based on my experience with Puerto Rican I’m just saying.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Your experiences are not others, @@daphnee646

[@SleetThaSnowman]

​@@elizabethcool2241that's a lie. Many Puerto Ricans call us black Americans "Negritos y cocolos". If they're anti black against us, they've probably practiced on their own black Islanders first. Don't pretend that you've never heard the traditional term "mejorar la Raza" in every post-Spanish colony including p.r.!

[@patriciat4277]

We need more videos like this embracing our reality.

[@Hillary_Official_1]

I am a Chinese Canadian girl living here in Panama for years now anyway

[@elizabethcool2241]

@Terry Harris it's a us territory. They speak English. Call their immigration hot line

[@fanfare100]

@Rami Sebit Don't judge by the colour of one's skin. It is what is in one's heart. If @Terry Harris wants to come to Panama they can do so as long as they come with a good attitude and a good heart.

[@fanfare100]

@Terry Harris Terry, it's easy. Come to Panama as a tourist. Apply for a Friendly Nation's visa whilst you're here as a tourist. As you await your visa, you can work through jobs on the internet where the employer is not from Panama. Those jobs range from $6 to $50 per hour. But each job may not give yu more than 2 to 3 hours of work. The secret is in applying to enough of them so that between all of them you have enough for full time work. It is rather easy, but it requires discipline. Once you get your Friendly Nation's visa you can legally work in Panama. It can take up to 2 months to get that visa. Until then, you can stay in Panama for up to 180 days as a tourist. After that you must leave for 30 days and then you can come back for another 180 days. But if you apply for your Friendly Nations Visa you likely won;t need to do that, even though many people do do that indefinitely. To find out more info on how to get your Visa, pay attention to this channel: kzbin.infovideos?view=0&sort=da&flow=grid I have watched every single one of their videos. You will see people of many backgrounds and races relocating to Panama there and sharing their experiences. See what others in your shoes have done. You will likely need to put $5,000 in a Panamanian Bank and register a business. The whole thing will likely require $7,500 with lawyer's fees and all. So save and be prepped. You can actually do it without a lawyer but it is not recommended as many have found themselves wasting time doing rework because paperwork was not properly submitted. All the best. Just be sure to leave any colonial ways behind you.

[@fanfare100]

@Terry Harris Haha I laughed at the "fish & chip shop in every city" but now that you mention it, if you like fish, Panama's the proper place. Surrounded by oceans. Some of the best fish. When you come to Panama, ask for the "Corvina al Ajillo", you're very welcome!! :D

[@fanfare100]

@Terry Harris Oh, Durán! Got to greet him at the airport after one of his successful fights!! And later on my sis and I saw him at his restaurant. He fell ill to COVID-19 recently but fortunately recovered!!

[@rafaelrichard1254]

My father, born in Panama, came to America and met my mother.. he told me and my siblings that we were of African descent.. he changed his birth name to a name of African heritage.. I give thanks he made this clear for me to pass it to my own children. Then after I had all my children, I married a confused mixed woman from Trinidad.. pale indian and black.. work in progress..🤔🤷🏿‍♂️😁

[@eve3363]

Well you mixed yourself so you are the one who is confused

[@triple-e427]

Amazing video/documentary. My Father is a dark skin Panamanian and my mother is white skin Panamanian, both Hispanic. And I am a lightskin American from Panamanian decent. I "identify" as a Afro-Latino. A young man, first generation born in the states and I have yet to visit my heritage in Panama. My imidiate family lives in Panama as well as my Grandparents, uncles, and most of my cousins. Just wanted to share my life journey/heritage so far :) I am very fortunate to be bilingual even though I was born in the states. My mother didn't speak English very well when I was born which allowed me to be fluent in Spanish, I learned English in school as well as my siblings.

[@triple-e427]

Or is the correct term Afro-Panamanian

[@triple-e427]

I also have Jamaicans and Hatians in my family!!!

[@triple-e427]

With accents and everything haha. It's funny when I speak with my cousins and they are speaking Spanish with a Jamaican flare to it😁🤔🤯

[@timasuna1756]

​@@triple-e427Actually no latinos add anything before latino, when they do it just means American from the US.

[@timasuna1756]

​@@triple-e427You can look into this, the term afro Latino was invented to help latin music break into the American Music market. Its not really used in Latin America, more by the kids of immigrants specifically on the east coast or NYC to be more exact. If you ever see a Latino use it in LATAM, you can tell they learned it online from the US. And are always far leftists, 😂 and who loves using identity politics? That's right the left, that uses marxist ideas.

[@edwinsimmons7148]

Thank you so much...born in colon in 1971 left to USA in 1979...I was born in Panama and I am BLACK TO THE BONE AND I LOVE IT...

[@smk4428]

Wow Kamila, you did an excellent job on this!

[@californamacrich1679]

im black but was born in panama but im most definitely A BLACK PERSON BORN IN A SPANISH COUNTRY

[@soyicasweet99]

Californa Mac Rich same here

[@californamacrich1679]

@@soyicasweet99 And Your Black And Beautiful 😍💗

[@soyicasweet99]

Californa Mac Rich thank you

[@Nutty151]

Panama is a BLACK country, not a Spanish one. It is even more so than the Dominican Republic and Cuba I would argue. I'm Panamanian btw.

[@californamacrich1679]

@@Nutty151 if you say so my man.

[@christinec.2376]

thank you so much for this.. as a Black, soon to be pensionado(from u.s.), these facts are good to know. feel free to point me in the direction of other interesting and relevent docs.. nice job!

[@exelayala401]

I truly enjoyed watching this video. Both of my parents were born in Panama and I am first generation born in the US. I identify as black and whenever I tell someone Hispanic that I am black they tell me no you are Hispanic, they say no you are Hispanic, despite the fact that what you see is black. I did a DNA test and come to find out I am of Nigerian descent, go figure!!! Great job!!!

[@AliAli-uk9nh]

Hispanic is more of culture and a shared language more than a race or ethnicity. Afro Panamanian are black Hispanics or Afro Latinos.... they listen to salsa and reggaeton just like any white looking latino of European ancestry would or just as a Mestizo or a pure amerindian Latino would.....even Latinos of middle eastern ancestry share common traits with the rest of Latinos counterparts.

[@oluhamilton2121]

I come from a Panamanian background. All of my Grandma's children look different. Same father.

[@xonsight4198]

This was great we definitely need more content on this situation. I'm a black man born in Panama but left at the age of ten. When I identify myself as a black man to other Latinos they say no you are not black you are a Latino 🤦🏿‍♂️. I swear this is crazy how my own kind meaning Panamanians refuse to identify themselves as black. They will use Moreno or anything else under the sun but will not claim African anscentry . I have two kids who came out lightskined and I tell them both not to ever let some fool tell them they are not black.✊🏿🇵🇦

[@elizabethcool2241]

I'm Puerto Rican. We dont see color. Look at my island. We are mix. When they called u latino. They weren't telling you that ur not black. They were telling you to stop looking at the color of ur skin. Ur latino.

[@MissWyatt]

@@elizabethcool2241 yeah like that will make a difference 🤦🏿‍♀️ the white/lightskin Latinos HATTEEE black Latinos..

[@Nutty151]

True what you say, Panamanians will identify as anything BUT black. Using terms such as: Moreno, Culiso, Trigueño, Chombo, Afro-Colonial/Antillean, etc. It's like ingrained racism. But don't generalize, most white/lightskin Latinos DO NOT hate black latinos. That's not an accurate or healthy mentality to have, it is destructive.

[@dj-savi1528]

Its not because of that they say it because here is more abundant Island Black people(Trinidad, Jamaica, Dominique) so a Black man would be 100% african (afrontillan vs afrocolonial)

[@gemcatgirl]

We are such a great mix of genes, I call myself a mot. I did my genetic ancestry and I had oriental, Easter Europe, Jewish, Spanish, Italian, Greek, American Indian. If an alien from space came to ask for a representative of the human race, I could be a good example! So, the easiest is we are Latinos!

[@silvabakx6396]

The only Panamanians I know are very black, very rooted in their africanity, & proud. Stand UP Panama!

[@silvabakx6396]

@Gabriel Rodríguez Yea they're from Colon. From what I've heard, most of the afrikans in central america live on the caribbean side, which makes perfect sense.

[@chrissysviews]

That’s because the Panamanians that you know came to the United States because of discrimination in Panama. If you go to Panama you see people of different ethnicities but it’s a lot similar to South American countries like Colombia and Venezuela

[@silvabakx6396]

@@chrissysviews I assumed black ppl were in the minority there, & probably not many in the upper class, but is the discrimination really bad enough to make ppl wanna move away?

[@br3wskee]

Man this shit going on worldwide. I just left the Philipeans and i was talking to the locals and its the SAME EXACT WAY over there. Nothing but very light skinned(almost white) people on tv and advertising, McDonalds everywhere, gay dudes dressing like women, racsim, drug being pushed in the poor neighborhoods, loosing their culture, etc. Shit made me mad asf.

[@justicebriana7508]

Excellent video! Beautiful visuals, great editing-looking forward to the next story you cover!

[@bobbyonthego3160]

Great editing.

[@namahel]

Loved this 🇵🇦🇵🇦

[@fredyvergara7597]

Greetings from panama

[@MrBigFartz]

What is the outro song?

[@xioulynne]

Just went back in January and it was awesome

[@jmudikun]

Thank you for this FASCINATING video that is a reminder of the universal human tendency to discriminate against minoritized groups through segregation, disparagement, economic marginalization, and finally, by making you invisible. Thank you for this

[@prieten49]

This was a very interesting interview documentary. I noticed in many Panama expat relocation KZbins that there were many US-American Blacks moving to Panama. Most sang the praises of Panama as being far less racist than they had experienced living in the USA. Of course, these US-American Blacks probably have pensions that provide them with a high standard of living in Panama in comparison with Panamanian Blacks. One of the men interviewed in this video combines economic class with race as determining the treatment people receive. The historical reference to "gold standard" versus "silver standard" in payment of Panama Canal workers was a real eye opener. It would appear that wherever the USA goes, it has brought its racism with it.

[@michaelkirkland1929]

I'm a Black Man from Detroit, who was stationed in Panama from September 1981- June 1984. I'm planning on retiring in Panama. My VA pension, is very modest, and my SS, is very modest, but between the two, I can live well in Panama, but you're spot on about America exporting Racism, I just saw a person on a page asking about bringing a gun to Panama..

[@prieten49]

@@michaelkirkland1929 Hello, Michael! I really envy your retiring to Panama! It's beautiful country with such friendly people, or so I hear on KZbin. But you would know better than me, you've been there. What conclusions did you draw from the person wanting to bring a weapon to Panama? I can imagine that some Americans just feel "naked" without their gun(s). I wish you a safe and successful transition to Panama. I think their "pensionado" visa requires an annuity or pension payment of at least $1,000 a month. Your VA and SS together should qualify but I'm no expert. Meanwhile, I'm stuck here in a very cold place. Just had to shovel 2 feet of snow . Took me two days to do it! My back hurts...

[@martinax8262]

@@michaelkirkland1929 I'm a Black American who is also moving to Panama and I want to bring my firearms. Not just because I'm a woman on a brand new adventure, but also because the homestead I eventually want to set up will be in the mountainous area. Firearms are not uniquely the right of those right-leaning MAGAts. I identify as part of the "radical left." And there is nothing wrong with self-defense or gun ownership if it's legal.

[@michaelkirkland1929]

@@martinax8262 I reread your post, MUCH RESPECT, I hear you.

[@Keene4HowardTrustee]

Excellent presentation by everyone, including Melva Lowe de Goodin!!!!

[@thomassmithson5795]

Please can you identify the meal shown in the start of the video.

[@ropac1256]

thanks for sharing this story

[@RE-im1xm]

Gracias❤️👁👁

[@MISHPAKADRUMMERS]

Awesome documentary

[@savannahdiamond8317]

From California to Colon with love. My mom immigrated to the US from Colon in the 1970's.

[@PanAfricanNews]

I was stationed in Panama in the US Army as military police from 1992 to 1997. During 1994, the Haitians were having political unrest, so about 10,000 of them were supposed to be sent to Panama as refugees; however, the Panamanians protested in the streets, saying they didn't want them there. However, a couple months later, when 10,000 Cuban refugees from Guantanamo Bay were slated to come to Panama for the same reason, there were no protests, and they arrived without a hitch. In fact, one black Panamanian young lady told me that she wanted them to come because many were blond. Most Black Panamanian women prefer to date Hispanic and White men. It's good to see Black Panamanians rise up and claim their heritage.

[@krazyjnva2up2down55]

80% of the Panamanians in nyc are black. Where all these so called white men they are dating?

[@PanAfricanNews]

@@krazyjnva2up2down55if you go to Panama, you'll see.

[@vivianweeks9086]

@@krazyjnva2up2down55 Clearly, Pan-African News was referring Black Panamanians living in Panama, not NYC. It's the adage that a lot of Black Latinos have been brainwashed into thinking as a survival mechanism in racist countries; lighten the race by marrying white or much lighter than you. This is how Argentina became virtually all white. The countries actually had this a part of their master plan and it worked.

[@krazyjnva2up2down55]

@@PanAfricanNews I've lived in Panama for 6+ years. Everyone dates everyone there.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Why did you use the term hispanic in aamerican sense as if panamanians are not overall hispanic because they speak spanish.

[@jabuticaba2000]

(honest) question: what purpose does it serve to make people identify as a certain kind of race?

[@saintseer9578]

These things were already put in place by everyone’s former colonizer in the Western Hemisphere a form of casta system that still exists in Latin America. People acknowledge race all the time in discussion when you casually get called “negrito” “morenita” “Indios” whether you want to accept it or not race is acknowledged within all LatAm countries. They’re not making them do anything also people self identify themselves because they know within their respective country what they’d be identified as.

[@raymatthews7624]

As Panamian like here in America. Discrimination does exist like everywhere else. I have been living here in the states and I find no difference, Love has been everywhere for me. Silver and black roll era was when the American Flag dominated the Canal Zone. The silver roll was still higher than the average white Panamanian.

[@pedrocesarzapatamosquera7887]

Equal Job Equal Pay. Sad that you make a comparisson of under paid black workers being "better" paid than the average "white" Panamanian.

[@aniyahdilovelilioness747]

Matthew 24:9 👏🙏🦁 We were scattered not lost! HalleluYah!!

[@judithbryan9243]

My maternal grandma's older sister lived and died in Panama. Since her death we are unable to connect with our family who is from Jamaica.

[@jibimartis8782]

Is there any black people working in the panama airport. I don't seem to see any, when i'm going true transit. Or is it only for whites.

[@krazyjnva2up2down55]

Plenty of them work at tocumen

[@sifuglennsullivan9997]

Excellent

[@bazziblassa4659]

Hello Guys; I have only one question for anyone. Is Panama a great place for black people to lives? ( Im black Canadian, I plan to move with my family to live and invest)

[@copettino]

Yes and No hahahah... Around 30% of the panamanians have afro-antillean or caribbean origin however as the video shows we don't identify it as blacks, even the latest population census in 2010 was the first time when the black heritage percentage could be claim ...It is like we don't see color as a distinction for people. You will find a lot of "blacks" in almost all aspects in the society. Unfortunately what it does exist is clasism.. even for creole, native panamanian and blacks. Panamá is not a racist country and if it does exist then the laws are very strong to punish this type of discriminations. Even other latinos are being expelled from the country since the have offended the black identity.

[@samanthafox3124]

As always, the most racist are blacks themselves.

[@joserodriguezlopez828]

Thank you so much for sharing this content.

[@knockknock1246]

I'm so surprised at this. I'm white and looking for a new place to retire and thought maybe there would be discrimination against me but a few have told me " no way man " ... Of course, I could only take retiring there serious after I get Roberto Duran's autograph after eating at his restaurant. 😄 I have spoken with a few Black travelers who tell me they believe racism resists in every non black culture... We agreed everyone is racist to an extent but... Wow.

[@christianhume7618]

Great work! Keep it up!

[@uhdisnevjdgsksn9106]

My dads Afro Panamanian, Afro Panamanian 🙋🏾‍♀️ 🇵🇦 😊 and my moms white but I have dark skin and long thick fluffy hair 😅

[@nyclee9133]

Afro Panamanian

[@sonja0707]

This behaviour is in all antillians. Curacao' Dominian republic jamaican some light skinned people don't realise black people are diverse

[@PyramedSunGlobal]

Big Work To Do. Every Man. Every Woman. Every Person...

[@chrissysviews]

I hope I don't get backlash for saying this but it is true that the black population in Panama is around nine or 10%. There is actually a lot of biracial people or triracial people in Panama. This is even the first time that I have ever heard. Anyone try to claim that those statistics are wrong when in reality, nobody in Panama has ever mentioned anything about this. All you have to do is Google or KZbin, especially some popular Panamanian festivals or for example local agricultural fairs, and you can see the variety of people. As a matter of fact, if you go outside of Panama City and go further west, literally from La Chorrera on westward throughout the majority of Panama, The majority of the population is mestizo. I can understand the discrimination that is going on in Panama and the Dominican republic as well and I do hope that there is a solution to this but one of those is not giving false statistics either because you can clearly see it in the people as soon as you go to Panama.

[@teelora1322]

That is the same thing that the Dominicans were taught not to not to identify themselves as afro and is clearly as you can see they are afro but people don't want to be treated bad so what they do is they stick to where they come from instead of the roots and the origin of which they come

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Ahhh WHO CARES about them

[@maritzajames9866]

We need more videos like this!

[@dianakrajewski6597]

I would like to know about the Black warriors that escaped Colombian slavery and ended up in the jungles of Panama...please!

[@MoneyComethToshelia]

I have a lady on my job from Panama, with dark black skin and coarse hair, going around saying SHES NOT BLACK! lol. someone brainwashed her bad

[@raymatthews7624]

Don't know who the hell, I am . I live in America for 53 years. I am a happy Chombo.

[@tarikalbert9943]

U a indian

[@eve3363]

You interviewed more mixed people than Black people 🤣

[@jibrilnito]

So sorry I don't agree with a lots of things .. I born in Panamá , I never know what is racism until I came to USA. My neighbor in Panamá , there was Jamaican Pana. And criollos blanco's de las tablas .. I never remember exclude no one when a was a play day or birthday holidays.? Thank God for that 🧡😇🙏

[@lizbethshepard6731]

We are all part of the Human Race.

[@tudormiller8898]

Great documentary about Latino Africans. Watching from London UK.

[@pedrocesarzapatamosquera7887]

Great piece of art

[@tulbanemoore8405]

One of the many problems no one addresses is the Panamanian currency. Although Panama has its own currency (the Balboa), however, Panama also uses the U.S. dollar. The Balboa to U.S. dollar exchange rate is 1-to-1, which doesn't make since when it comes to GDP. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Panama was worth 52.94 billion US dollars in 2020. Compare that to the U.S. GDP in 2020 at $20.93 trillion. So how did the 1-to-1 exchange rate balance off? Someone with subject matter expertise in economy explain this...I am not convinced that Panama is the best or most beneficial place to retire. Healthcare and medical services outside of Panama City is horrible. DO NOT expect hospitals outside of Panama City to have the same quality. Start asking what expats do not like about Panama...

[@lovelymulher5139]

You did a great job, you should be proud.

[@amazing-osky2052]

Excellent documentary.

[@judithbryan9243]

Zone Peart you may well be my family

[@pdm2201]

The gold roll employees were made up of management, engineers and skilled blue collar workers. The silver roll employees were generally unskilled laborers. The government in Washington paid management in gold coinage because it meant that less coins needed to be shipped than if everybody was paid with silver coins. Anyway….fifty dollars in silver and 50 dollars in gold is still fifty dollars.

[@catherinesterling1685]

Wherever whytes go and colonize when they leave their is colorism without exception their legacy

[@kamyfernandes1]

Black / Afro Panamanians or Afro-latinos are very Racist towards Africans. I married into an Afro Panamanian family and was discriminated against for being African. In Puerto Rico I also experienced a lot discrimination. Even from the Afro- Puertoricans.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Where in africa are you from? it could also be nationalism as you are not from there

[@johanac.1562]

The discrimination in Panama is more about classes not color.

[@luistamargo3736]

The problem with Panama is that most black Panamanians were not to the country as slaves by the Spaniards but instead, they were imported from the Anglophone islands of the Caribbean to work in the construction of the Panama Canal. Therefore, the volume of the mulatto population is not as large as it is in Cuba, Puerto Rico and other former Spanish colonies because the British system did not facilitate a process of mestizaje

[@fanfare100]

I identify, not as part black, part native american, part white, part jewish, part italian, part spanish, part part part part, whatever, but rather all of the above. It's like, especially people from the U.S. want me to pick something. Or people from Colombia want me to pick something. Or people from Europe want me to pick something. No, I am everything. And I am proud to be everything. To say that I am only one of those things is to deny that I am one of the others. I am all of those things.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Stop blaming the USA for everything, this video is about people in panama

[@feleciacaldwell3010]

It does not escape me that the United States made discrimination legal and extremely impactful by deciding that Blacks would be paid less for doing the same work in the early 1900's.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Dont blame that on the USA

[@DavidRodriguez-wp7zi]

Very well done video 👍🏽

[@user-gu6vf3je1d]

9% is not enough for substantial change. These people got duped into completing this census with a black category.

[@Nutty151]

9.2%? More like 77% I would argue.

[@chrissysviews]

No it is around 9%. You might only noticed that there's a lot of blacks in Panama only if you are in a neighborhood that's mostly black in Panama City or in Colon. But if you go to other parts of Panama like the majority of the countryside you will find that the majority of the population is truly mestizo or mixed and not black. Panama was never a black country and it is not a country that is mostly African at all. It is true that a lot of people do have African influence for example I have about 12% African DNA but that does not make me black. I have overwhelmingly European roots and even some Native American.

[@Nutty151]

@@chrissysviews No way, black people are EVERYWHERE in Panama not just Colon and the city! The fact that Panamanians speaks Spanish DOES NOT make them Spanish. That's like calling Jamaica a British country which it isn't. Panama is a black country first and foremost. Go to Bocas del Toro, Darien, or even the Perlas Archipelago and you will find plenty of black people. Most, if not all, Panamanians have black blood in them. Even president Varela, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Panama should embrace it's black identity.

[@Nutty151]

@@chrissysviews Look, during the Spanish colonial era, Panama used to be a more mestizo country like Mexico, Chile, or Colombia. HOWEVER, during the building of the Panama railroad and Canal, large numbers of Caribbean blacks and U.S.A. blacks were taken to Panama to build the canal. They later brought their families with them and changed the demographics. Hence, Panama is a majority black and black/native american country now. As a Panamanian you should know this. There are other races in Panama such as Chinese, Whites, Arabs, and Indians. But these are MINIMAL and only found in small stores or in politics, or in very few small towns like boquete. With the recent arrivals of migrants from Venezuela and Colombia, more whites and mestizos have come to Panama, but I suspect that as soon as the conditions in their countries improve, they will return home and Panama will remain like it was.

[@chrissysviews]

@@Nutty151 YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO PANAMA... And only about 40,000 Blacks from the Caribbean came to Panama and half were deported back .. Where in the world do you get your information from? And Panama IS NOT majority Black you're so delusional.. Why do you think Wikipedia has 9.2% for? Seriously any Panamanian can tell you that Panama IS NOT black country and NEVER was. Panama is MAJORITY MESTIZO for example go look up Fiesta de Guarare in Panama and EVERYBODY in the festival is fair complected or Mestizo.. And some places in the Interior parts of Panama like Chiriqui, Los Santos, Veraguas have a sizeable Spaniard descent Panamanian background. . And No.... Not every Colombian or Venezuelan is White or Mestizos.. Get the fuck out... lol.. ALMOST ALL the Venezuelans that have entered Panama are mixed majority and as you can see in plain freakin TV you see FLOODS and FLOODS of Dark skin Venezuelans ALL OVER THE PLACE in millions crossing over the Colombia and ALMOST ALL are Native and or have Afro descent.. Now Venezuelas HAS WAY MORE afro descendants than Panama and Colombia also have more Blacks than in Panama and also both nations are Mestizo majority... ALL FACTS !! And you can look it up on Wikipedia and EVERY source of Population Data that's out there....

[@Nutty151]

Venezuela and Colombia have more blacks in absolute numbers, yes. But remember, the populations in those countries is waaay higher than Panama. So as a proportion relative to the population as a whole, there are more blacks in Panama than there are mestizos. but at the same time, there are also more mestizos/whites in Venezuela and Colombia compared to blacks there.

[@johanac.1562]

The discrimination was between panamanian and gringos. It dieñd not matter if you have blue eyes and blinde hair, if you were oanamanian you were brown and received a lower pay

[@teelora1322]

Mostly in every part of the world when there's a afro part they're treated poorly they come from poor conditions and people tend to discriminate against them I don't care where you are the Philippines be up non china-japan wherever anywhere you are as a colored person we are discriminated against because of the slave trade

[@kevinregalado7316]

Learn some new shit from my country you should look up bayano he's a famous in panama

[@eugenejuniormiles9334]

All west indian Panamanian need to be head to Bluefield's Nicaragua with the Jamaicans and the West Indians from there

[@ORGANICsoulJAZZ]

Why

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Please elaborate

[@yulgomez8279]

Black before Columbus.

[@worldpeace4231]

we are natural decendents of the land..we (dark people )were all ready here..in the entire americas..do you studies

[@charlesgriffin8346]

When Judgment Day come you all will beg to be melanated black people

[@trumpsycho28]

So Panama has an issue called Racism? WTF. Not true. I never experience or saw such thing. True when the zonians had that crap back in the day, but they weren't Panamanians. We aren't racists, classicist, sure as the rest of latin america.

[@stonestanza]

Black is a color but there no such thing as white or black ethnic.......your a tribe...people..or religon......

[@angytingz]

As an actual Panamanian I can tell you that racial discrimination isnt a thing here however internalized racism is big. The same way it is in Jamaica, India, etc, countries that were previously colonized by the whites and left the native population feeling disdain and an internalized hatred for their own features and skin colour. Which sucks. But if you come here you`ll notice that light skin Panamanians do not discriminate, use slurrs, or hate towards darker skin panamanians. Specially because we all are panamanians and we dont consider darker skinned panamanians to be African the way Americans view black people in their country. For us, we are all the same, just latinos. The reason why we have a darker skin population is mainly because of the huge population of slaves that were brought from Jamaica, Barbados, etc to build our Canal. NOT Africa. While terms used to refer to panamanians of darker skin do exist, theyre not used as slurrs or with hate. At least not in my generation or my mother`s.

[@visualartistrybynorthe2128]

This is close to the dumbest thing I’ve read, congratulations.

[@mango3460]

@@visualartistrybynorthe2128 He´s not lying, I mean racism offcourse existt idiocy does not know geography, but it is not a big deal, It´s what he says

[@visualartistrybynorthe2128]

@@mango3460 he said slaves were brought from Jamaica and Barbados. That’s a lie. Those were free black people that came to Panama to work. My ancestors being of that group. They weren’t slaves. Slavery ended in the Caribbean by the 1830s. Those blacks that came from Jamaica and Barbados were brought to Jamaica and Barbados from Africa. So yes, they’re African. Black people aren’t the only darker skinned population in Panama. Last time I checked the indigenous population that live there are also darker complected.

[@mango3460]

@@visualartistrybynorthe2128 Baby, I live in Panama, I am Panamanian and I have never left here, I can confirm that according to what we are taught is that most of our African Americans were from the Caribbean from countries like Haiti, Jamaica and there are certain regions of Panama like Colón and Bocas del Toro where Caribbean or Patua English is fully spoken and yes our indigenous are dark skinned but what he says is true, regarding slavery you are right but there are some groups that were slaves

[@visualartistrybynorthe2128]

@@mango3460 workers that built the canal weren’t slaves. They came there from neighboring Caribbean islands to work. Slavery ended in the Caribbean in the 1830s so how could the black people that came to Panama to work on the canal have been slaves. That’s a lie. I’m a direct descendent of those skilled workers that worked on the canal. They were t slaves.

[@Marie-zh3yw]

As a Panamanian I can say that there is discrimination in the country, however it doesn't only happen to people from African descent. If you are from European descent you also get discriminated. There is also a lot of discrimination because of money, but people don't talk about it.

[@californamacrich1679]

Do you live in Panama City because it's a total different story here if you're black we have a whole different standard of living I recently have just got deported from California and the way that black people lived over there and the way we live here is horrible

[@urracabolivar1374]

@@californamacrich1679 Panama City, Panama, in Central America. Move to Panama, Panama we are way better than USA.

[@sogeni]

Marie, I'm curious. In what way are people of European descent discriminated?

[@chrissysviews]

@@urracabolivar1374 En Venezuela tambien hay negros Y MAS que en Panama... Panama solo tiene 9.2% de la poblacion es negra mientras 65% son Mestizo, 13% Blancos y 6% Nativos. . .aqui esta la fuente... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Panama .........{ The culture, customs, and language of Panama are predominantly Caribbean Spanish. In 2010 the population was 65% Mestizo (mixed white, Native American), -> -> 9.2% Black, 6.8% mulattoes, 13% White and 6% Native Americans. . . y esa señora del video es una IGNORANTE porque Panama NO ES pais de negro... Es un pais LATINO con una mezcla comparable a Puerto Rico o Colombia.

[@chosenpeople5881]

Ok prove what you are saying.

[@lizbethshepard6731]

Slavery began in Africa. Black people were enslaved by other powerful black people and then, they were sold to the Europeans. That tells you that slavery is not about the color of your skin but about how the evil and powerful takes advantage of the weak and vulnerable. Racism its a problem of the human heart and unfortunately exists everywhere.

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Stop that nonsense. Europeans went in and kidnapped africans, based on your logic africans invited europeans back for a colonialism continent bash after the slave trade was no longer profitable

[@victor45436]

Racism here? In Panamá... We are not USA!!!! my grandfa is italian and my grandmom black with spanish ascendancy

[@chosenpeople5881]

Asinine statement

[@MissWyatt]

That's completely dismissive and ignorant. Ok

[@visualartistrybynorthe2128]

Wait so you mean to tell me Panama is not the USA?! Wow.. I never knew that.. omg my mind is blown...

[@bennyhanna6]

If your grandfather was black and your grandmom was Italian maybe you would have a point. But European white men taking Black wives doesn't prove there isn't racism. Many white slave masters impregnated their slaves too(including in the USA not just Panama). What's your point?

[@Abstract.Noir414]

Theres always these same kind of comments trying to undermine other peoples experiences

[@DCBCHANNELDAATHCHOMAHBINAH]

Great documentary