The Vinícius case dominates all the news and bar conversations. Not only in Spain, but also abroad (Brazil). A fact that never ceases to surprise because situations like those experienced by the Real Madrid player have been experienced (and are experienced) not only in the First Division, but in the lower categories. And yes, also in children's competitions. The difference this time is that the Brazilian player pointed out Spain as a racist country. And this accusation has created unrest and damaged national pride. But is it true that Spain is a racist country?
Well, according to the experts, no, Spain is not a racist country in general, but there is racism (such as xenophobia, masculinism and homophobia, among other factors that are closely related). A racism that is increasing despite the fact that Spanish society is one of the most tolerant in Europe. And they remember, for example, how the massive arrival of immigrants at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st was managed or how, in social matters, the Spanish promoted the same-sex marriage law (2005) or the law against gender violence (2004).
But this tolerance that has defined Spain is undergoing an involution, as pointed out by Rosario Sánchez Morales, professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Political Sciences of Sociology at the UNED. "Spanish society two decades ago was clearly characterized by a great openness towards people who are different, either because of their race, because of their origin or because of their sexual identity, which explain the social advances, but for some years this tolerance is evolving".
Because? In his opinion, because society is more aggressive, it is more polarized and some people choose to blame others for their problems at work, integration, emancipation... Especially young people, who convey their discomfort in behaviors racists and xenophobes.
Racism, says Rosario Sánchez, is not based on genetics. It is an ideology that at times like these is having a certain boom not only in Spain, but throughout Europe: "There are very radicalized sectors that have found an important vein in these people, who welcome messages that point out the different".
They are not the majority, not by a long shot. But they are a non-negligible part of society that is gaining followers every time. The Youth and Racism study. Study on racist and xenophobic perceptions and attitudes among Spain's young population, carried out by the Queen Sofia Center on Adolescence and Youth of the Fad Joventut Foundation, after having consulted 1,200 young people aged 15 to 29 and published in November 2022, indicates that one in four of the individuals in the sample are racist and xenophobic, with a clear rejection (and in that order) of gypsies and citizens from Sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco.
The group of young people who present clearly racist attitudes and opinions is composed in a majority way by people who are ideologically positioned on the extreme right, which shows that ideology is a determining variable. In addition to ideology, statistically significant differences are found depending on sex, with women having a markedly more anti-racist character. They are more moderate.
Young people blame the spread of racist discourse mainly on some media and the image they give of immigration (60.4%) and the xenophobic proposals of far-right parties (49.7%).
"Although the majority (75%) of young Spaniards do not show racist attitudes, it is worrying that there are 25% who agree with statements that are clearly racist and xenophobic. Or that a significant percentage have witnessed racist behaviour, from teasing (50%) to physical attacks (33%). These are very high percentages that we cannot ignore", points out Beatriz Martín Padura, general director of Fad Joventut.
"As a worrying concrete fact, now that the elections are near, only 57.2% of young people indicate that they would think it would be good for people of Roma, Moroccan or Muslim ethnicity to occupy a social position of responsibility such as a mayor's office".
In addition to the studies, other data support this involution, although in this case they are also explained by a greater awareness of hate crimes. State security forces and bodies investigated a total of 1,802 criminal offenses and hate incidents in 2021. There are 96 acts of hate more than in 2019 (an increase of 5.63%), which confirms the upward trend of this criminal phenomenon registered since 2014, interrupted in 2020 by the pandemic.
