Leonel Ignacio Martín

MA in Latin American Studies | 2024

Leonel was born and raised in Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina, and left at 17 to study at UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg, Germany. After completing the International Baccalaureate, Leonel assisted to Earlham College where he double majored in Sociology & Anthropology and Spanish & Hispanic Studies and graduated in 2021 with college and departmental honors. During his undergraduate studies, he focused in Latin America's racial dynamics, particularly Argentina's.

Leonel now hopes to contribute to the understanding of race through an analysis of the role of the soccer team Boca Juniors plays in the racial dynamics of Argentina. His research focus will be on characterization of Boca Juniors' fans as foreign, darker and poor, and how these connect to larger narratives that have historically, and wrongly, presented Argentina as a white country. Studying at LAII is a challenge and a privilege, Leonel is happy to connect with LAII's amazing program, resources and faculty.