Son Todos Bolivianos y Paraguayos
La Guardia Imperial
Confronting Prejudice and Rivalry in Football Chants
The song "Son Todos Bolivianos y Paraguayos" by La Guardia Imperial is a football chant that reflects the intense rivalry and unfortunately, the xenophobic attitudes that can be present in the world of sports, particularly football in Argentina. La Guardia Imperial is the organized group of supporters for Racing Club, a prominent football team in Argentina. The lyrics of the song are directed at the supporters of Boca Juniors, colloquially known as 'bosteros,' a rival team. The chant accuses Boca Juniors' fans of being Bolivians and Paraguayans, which is meant as a derogatory remark, implying that they are outsiders and not true Argentinians. This reflects a sad reality where football rivalries can sometimes be intertwined with ethnic prejudices and xenophobia.
The repeated lines about going to the stadium with police custody suggest that the Boca Juniors fans are seen as needing protection, which could be interpreted as a sign of weakness or a lack of genuine support. The chant's aggressive tone, with the repeated threat 'te vamos a matar' (we are going to kill you), is unfortunately not uncommon in football chants, reflecting the sometimes violent nature of football rivalries. However, it's important to note that such language is often more about posturing and bravado than actual intent to harm.
The final part of the chant, where the lyrics shift to 'Soy el Racing,' is a declaration of identity and pride in their own team. It serves to unify the Racing Club supporters and distinguish them from their rivals. This part of the chant is more about self-affirmation than denigration of others, emphasizing loyalty and the sense of belonging among the fans of Racing Club.