Does Panama City have a high concentration of Afro Panamians?

[Ian Loves Dogs]

Originally Posted by caribny

yes this is more what the Panamanians who I know report when they visit. I have heard all about the antics of the "rabiblancos".

I have even heard that the West Indian descended population has lost socio economic ground as they have been squeezed out of Canal jobs but unable to penetrate the high paying commercial sector jobs.

To be fair Latin Americas lighter skinned people do better in every country.Including Brazil.It could even be said for certain parts of the Caribbean.Haiti particularly.

While not all poor people in Panama are black by any means,a lot of black people are poor

[908Boi]

Didn't Panama and Costa Rica have histories of legal segregation and banning of black immigration?

[Ian Loves Dogs]

Originally Posted by 908Boi

Didn't Panama and Costa Rica have histories of legal segregation and banning of black immigration?

Costa Rica had segregation till the late 1940s. You see black Costa Ricans everywhere now.Its important to remember Costa Ricans are quite racist,usually directed at Nicaraguans,some of whom are undocumented.

When i said that id enjoyed my time in Nicaragua and i thought the people were great i was met with open mouthed amazement.

Much of this is due to all the wars in Central America in the 1980s,Costa Rica doesnt have an army so they looked down on their northern neighbours.

Not sure Panama had legal segregation but most Caribbean immigrants stayed in the canal zone,though they didnt have an easy time there.General Noriega had African descent in him,not something he generally shouted about.