Racism/ Classism in Chile

I have never done one of these group posts before, but I thought I would give it a shot since this topic interests me. I do have to say that while I understand how Racism and Classism are related, I also think they are two totally separate issues. Mostly because Chile has practically no diversity. And yes, the indigenous people (and Peruvians/Bolivians) end up at the bottom of the totum pole, but thats not what I want to discuss.

Classism is such an integral part of Chilean society. And its so visual. My friends can see someone walking down the street and without ever talking to them they could tell you if they are flaite, or cuico. I also have some friends, as ignorant as they are, who dont like to go below plaza italia because its "too dangerous". Ridiculous.

But I think this very obvious and structured class structure makes it difficult for Chileans. If you are born middle-upper class. You are going to be labled that forever. And that means there are certain jobs you can have and certain jobs you can´t have. For example, this middle-upper class person can never wait tables or wash dishes to make a living. While to me, a gringa, it seems that if you are working thats the respectible thing, its not the same in Chile. You can only have jobs that correspond to your class level. If you are middle-upper class and you take a job as a waiter or waitress, society and your peers will look down on you.

Its hard for me to undertand all of this, since in the US anyone can have any kind of job, and I feel like class is not really an issue. Education defines our social structures instead of class. But here, I feel that for many chileans class is something that limits them and controls them.

Chile vence a Argentina

Chile-1 Argentina-0

Chilean Financial Crisis?

So its hard to avoid the financial crisis right now, almost as hard as it is to avoid the elections in the US ( and in Chile!). So of course the topic of the weekend at all the parties was if this was going to affect Chile or not. So I did some reading over the weekend in the local papers and listened to a radio program on the topic. A few months ago everyone predicted there would be little impact on Chile. However, now with the increasing size and global impact of the credit crisis in the US, it seems that Chile will be impacted.

I am not an economist by any means, but from what I understand these could be the possible impacts here in Chile.

1. A weak economy in the US and global economies will result in less exports for Chile.
- Less exports means people will start losing their jobs.
- Unemployment rate is going to go up

2. Retirement funds are going to lose money (Such as AFP funds)
- Many of these funds invested in the US market, which means losses.

3. Luckily Chile has a huge SWF due to Copper. And while the price of copper is down, Chile has almost no public debt and a huge amount of savings, which means it should be able to bounce back from any affects this crisis does have on the economy.

So... in short I think if I had to choose between being in the US or in Chile right now for economic reasons, I would definitley choose Chile.

Can I vote yet?

I am ready to vote. I am sick of the Obama /McCain, Biden/ Palin media frenzy. Absolutely sick of it. It makes me nautious. And the gringo-fest at Publicity to watch the last debates? My personal nightmare. A room full of gringos and politics in LAS CONDES? All of the above are completely overwhelming to me right now. Take me to an art gallery opening with a bunch of Chileans instead please. Ugh. Its amazing that so many of the things I wanted to escape from the US (gringos and media/politics) are still here. Some things you just cant run away from I guess...

Anyways, enough complaining. I am getting politics out of my life. I know who I am going to vote for, now I just want to get it over with so that something else will be in the news.

The Outsider... yet again

While its not very surprising that while living in a foreign country, I have felt like an outsider, I have realized it has even come to the point of me being an outsider of my own country.

A few weeks ago I went to this "trendy" party with all of Santiago's A list. Now to me, an A list Chilean Farandula member who has their own teleserie or does whatever might as well be any other person walking down the street. And I really dont care. When I've come across "stars" in the US I've gotten that whole Star sensation, but with these Chilean "stars" I really could care less. Of course, the boyfriend already knows everyone, and makes me go up and talk to his childhood idol, some lady I dont remember the name of. He was so excited and I was soo.... ready to go home. I felt totally out of the loop.

When I talk to my friends in the US music and TV will come up, and of course I have NO idea what they are talking about. I am going to be stuck in 2004 for ever when it comes to US pop culture. To me Greys Anatomy and that Damian Marley CD will be the trendiest things around. But, did you know that there is a new 90210 show? And that the Pussy Cat Dolls make songs that are on the radio? Ya, well I had no idea. And I dont especially care. But, of course, it makes me feel like the outsider back in the US as well.

I will just have to enjoy my own little land somewhere between US 2004 and Chile 2008....