Racism towards indigenous peoples in Latin america: a meta-synthesis

Abstract

We examine the current state of qualitative research on racism towards indigenous peoples in Latin America, developed primarily within the social sciences and humanities. Racism in Latin America has historical roots, and advancement in the social sciences requires systematic qualitative research that addresses methods and analytical techniques as well as their fundamental findings. To this end, we conducted a meta-synthesis of qualitative research on racism in Latin America with emphasis on indigenous peoples, searching the Scielo database for studies published between 2018-2023 on racism, following the PRISMA framework and CASP criteria for qualitative research. From 1,131 studies identified, we selected 12 that met the established criteria. We characterised the qualitative studies into four principal categories: Social and discursive representations of indigeneity, Intercultural educational experiences within indigenous peoples' contexts, Academic inclusion of indigenous students in higher education, and Relational dynamics and intersectionality in indigenous experience. We conclude that the persistence of racism as a structural phenomenon embedded in institutions and hegemonic discourses demonstrates considerable depth, although it is confronted through everyday practices, where research policies sensitive to the perspectives and particularities of different indigenous peoples is fundamental, with qualitative methods proving pertinent in addressing such challenges.