Customer Reviews

The Cosmic Race / La raza cosmica (Race in the Americas)

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This book basicly revolves around a central thesis that all of the races on earth tend to intermix at a gradually increasing pace, and eventually will give rise to a new human type, composed of selections from each of the races already in existence. This race will be called the Cosmic Race. It is an interesting theory that in some ways is similar to the darwinist doctrine. This book is exceptionally well written and very compelling. I enjoyed this book and would recommend trying it out.

If read in the light of race, Vasconcelos at first appears disturbing. However, Raza Cosmica needs to be read in the light of the spiritual vs. materialist debate raging in Latin America through the 19th century into the mid 20th. The Author is reflecting on "Anglo" materialism vs. "Hispano" spiritualism, and the idea of race is really secondary when compared to his vision of the future. An absolute must read for the debates of the Revolution in Mexico and all of Latin America trying to find a place in the world of a North Atlantic economy.

The Cosmic Race is a historic text that should be in the personal library of undergraduate and graduate students of Latin America. This edition by John Hopkins University press presents the complete essay in original Spanish and in English. The English translation is fairly good. I strongly recommended it.

Um, does no one realize that Vasconcelos thought black people were dirt and that the best they could do was mix with other races to ultimate disappear? No one mentions this very open and clear viewpoint, and unfortunately this does not speak well of any of you.
This 'mix until you disappear policy' has been in effect in terms of afro-latinos for a very long time,but no one wants to talk about this.
Vasconcelos should not be lauded for his racist views no matter how flattered spanish/indian mixed people feel by his hooey.