We presented the report “The Black Legend: Its Origins and Anthropological, Social, and Cultural Consequences” at an event that brought together various experts to reflect on the historical and cultural legacy of the Hispanic world and the current challenges facing its interpretation. The presentation featured remarks by the director of the CEU CEFAS Institute of American Studies, Consuelo Martínez-Sicluna y Sepúlveda, and the president of the Regional Office of the CEU CEFAS Institute of American Studies, Diego de la Torre, who addressed the impact of certain ideological movements on the interpretation of Hispanic history.

The director of the CEU CEFAS Institute of American Studies opened the event by emphasizing that the preparation of this report marks “an important milestone for the Institute and for the preservation of the Hispanic American heritage”. Martínez-Sicluna explained that this has been “a labor of love that has already yielded results”, thanks to the collaboration between universities and academic institutions that have sought to explore Spain’s legacy on the American continent. In this regard, she noted that the research aims to help recognize the significance of tradition in shaping our thinking and our way of life.

The Impact of Woke Ideology

Martínez-Sicluna also warned of the impact of certain contemporary ideological trends on the interpretation of the past: “Being woke is not just about interpreting reality, but also about distorting it”, since it introduces a reinterpretation of both the present and the past. In this regard, she noted that this perspective seeks to challenge central elements of Western tradition as well as the Hispanic legacy. She also defended the need to reclaim the tradition and cultural heritage that define Hispanic identity: “Reclaim Hispanic identity means returning to our tradition, our way of life, and our family legacy, both in written and oral memory”. She noted, concluding by arguing that “Hispanic identity should be the driving force of Spain”.

The president of the Regional Office of the CEU CEFAS Institute of American Studies highlighted that in recent years “an ecosystem of institutions promoting Hispanic culture is taking shape”, something he considers essential for strengthening awareness of the shared heritage between Spain and the Americas. During his speech, De la Torre warned that in recent years “there has been a great deal of ideological smuggling” in the way history is interpreted, with narratives that seek to divide or fragment the Hispanic community. As he explained, “certain ideological movements introduce an oppressor-oppressed framework” which they attempt to apply to all historical contexts. In response to this, he argued that Western tradition has been built on a solid moral foundation and highlighted the role of Christianity in shaping that tradition.

Finally, the director of the CEU CEFAS Institute of American Studies in Peru emphasized the importance of bringing this debate to the younger generations. De la Torre stated that it is essential “to show young people that Hispanic culture is a powerful force and has been the backbone of the West” and argued that academic and cultural institutions must work together to “disrupt all these negative narratives” about the shared historical legacy between Spain and the Americas.