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Aline Helg is a historian known for her research on Latin American history, including Argentina. Her work has focused on various aspects of Latin American society, including race and ethnicity. However, I do not have direct access to specific quotes or writings by Aline Helg, as my knowledge is based on information available up to September 2021 and does not include specific quotes or works of individual authors.

Nevertheless, I can provide some general information on the topics you’ve mentioned:

1. Argentina’s Population of “European Stock”: Argentina’s population is often described as primarily of European descent due to historical patterns of immigration. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Argentina experienced a significant influx of European immigrants, primarily from Spain and Italy. This wave of immigration contributed to the European ancestry of a large portion of Argentina’s population.
2. Fate of Indigenous and African Populations: Argentina, like many other Latin American countries, has a complex history of colonialism and slavery. The indigenous population in Argentina faced displacement and often violent conflict with European colonizers, which resulted in a decline in their numbers. The African population in Argentina also faced enslavement during the colonial period. Over time, as European immigration increased, the African and indigenous populations were marginalized and often assimilated into the broader society.
3. “Whitening” and Racial Theorizing: “Whitening” is a concept that was prominent in some Latin American countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was based on the idea that a country’s racial and ethnic makeup could be improved by the gradual mixture of European, primarily white, immigrants with the non-white populations, ultimately leading to a more “white” or European-looking population. This concept was often tied to notions of progress and modernization. It is related to racial theorizing in the sense that it reflects the belief that a certain racial or ethnic group is superior or more desirable.
4. Appearance in U.S. Mass Media: The perception of Argentinians in U.S. mass media can vary widely, but it often reflects stereotypes and generalizations. Some common stereotypes may include portraying Argentinians as white, European-looking, or of a certain socioeconomic class. It’s important to note that these portrayals can be overly simplistic and do not capture the diversity of Argentina’s population, which includes people of indigenous, African, and mixed-race backgrounds.

To provide a specific example, you might find portrayals of Argentinians in U.S. mass media focusing on tango dancers or actors who fit the “European” stereotype, which can reinforce the idea that all Argentinians share a particular appearance or background. However, this does not accurately represent the full diversity of Argentina’s population. Media representations can perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to a limited and biased understanding of a country and its people.

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