Theory & Philosophy José Vasconcelos' "The Cosmic Race" with Dr. Alison Posey
May 10, 2025
Dr. Alison Posey, a Postdoctoral Researcher at Duke University, dives into José Vasconcelos' influential work, 'The Cosmic Race.' She explores Vasconcelos' perspectives on race, identity, and national unity amidst Latin America's tumultuous history. The discussion critiques his legacy, revealing contradictions in his advocacy for hybridity alongside racial hierarchies. Posey also connects literary themes from borderland identities and highlights the societal impact of colonial narratives, providing a nuanced understanding of race and cultural identity.
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Race as Unifying Tool
- Vasconcelos views race as a unifying tool rather than a source of division.
- He imagines a future "cosmic race" formed by mixing indigenous, Asian, African, and Anglo-European peoples.
Cosmic Race through Voluntary Mixing
- Vasconcelos envisions the cosmic race as utopic, born through voluntary mestizaje or racial mixing.
- This mixing must be rooted in free love, not material gain or survival, rejecting Darwinism and determinism.
Colonialism and Racial Hierarchy
- Vasconcelos accepts colonialism as a civilizing force and ranks white Europeans atop a racial hierarchy.
- He sees Latin America as capable of creating a superior cosmic race through unifying around colonial heritage.