Racism in Spain

During the Spanish inquisition, Jews, Arabs, and Berbers were targeted the most. This policy was called Limpieza de sangre (Blood Cleansing). Even if a Jew, Arab, or Berber converted to Christianity, Spanish society during that time viewed these Conversos as a thred at.[1] New Christians of Muslim heritage were referred to as moriscos, meaning Moor-like.[2] Those of Jewish heritage were termed marranos (swine, pigs).[3] After the Reconquista, many Mudéjars (individual Arabs and Berbers, who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity, were permitted to remain in Spain for economic reasons) and Sephardic Jews were expelled out of Spain.

Spain has tried to downplay ethnic cleansing against Jews and Muslims (Arabs and Berbers) calling it "historical error" and inviting Jews back, but refusing to allow return of Muslims (Arabs and Berbers).[4]

During the decades of economic boom in the late 20th century, after joining the European Union, Spain had experienced a large influx of immigrant workers to Spanish big cities from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with the result of many employers preferring to hire foreign workers for a cheaper wage.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Susan Schroeder, Stafford Poole (2007). Religion in New Spain. University of New Mexico Press. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-8263-3978-2.
  2. ↑ Michael C. Thomsett (2010). The Inquisition: A History. McFarland. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7864-4409-0.
  3. ↑ Michael Brenner, Jeremiah Riemer (2010). A Short History of the Jews. Princeton University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-691-14351-4.
  4. ↑ Spain is inviting back Jews expelled from the country in the 16th Century. But don't mention the Muslims (Arabs and Berbers),\ Robert Fisk, The Independent, http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/spain-is-inviting-back-jews-expelled-from-the-country-in-the-16th-century-but-dont-mention-the-muslims-9322518.html