Television host Mónica Rincón has denounced the verbal attacks and racial insults directed at Science Minister Ximena Lincolao following a confrontation with university students.
The incident involved students from a regional university targeting Lincolao, an alumna of a different regional institution. The backlash against the minister included derogatory remarks regarding her Mapuche heritage and socioeconomic background.
"You can criticize her decisions with vehemence; she must be scrutinized like any authority with rigor, but insulting her because of her ethnic or socioeconomic origins is a low blow," Rincón stated.
Condemnation of racial violence
While various authorities have issued strong condemnations of the incident, some student leaders have offered nuanced responses. The president of the Universidad Mayor federation stated that while they do not support violence, the reaction against the minister is "understandable within the framework of the discontent created by this government.
Rincón rejected this sentiment, arguing that while discontent is a constant in society, aggression is never justifiable. She specifically highlighted the racist undertones of the attacks, noting that the vitriol often targets women and indigenous peoples.
Critics of the minister have used labels such as "traitor" and made disparaging remarks about her Mapuche identity and current economic status. Rincón noted that phrases like "India tal por cual" continue to circulate in public discourse.
She argued that such attacks suggest a lack of genuine respect for indigenous peoples, implying that success is only acceptable if it aligns with the critics' views. Rincón added that she celebrates when women, indigenous people, or people with disabilities reach positions of power, as they must overcome significant barriers of discrimination and violence.
