I recently watched a documentary on PBS called Black in Latin America. There was a segment about Blacks in Mexico. They have been there since the early 1500's and live in small villages as most of Mexico is rural. Unlike most other nations, Mexico, did not distinguish between black and other races so its a rare known fact that these people even exist.
What I find interesting about this whole thing though is there is a difference between how the more Indian Mexicans, who happen to be darker and the more Spanish looking Mexicans are percieved. So what is the rational behind ignoring race of one group (which has its positives and negatives) and treating another group poorly?
Timeline: Mexico & Peru | Black in Latin America | PBS
Full Episode: Mexico & Peru: The Black Grandma in the Closet | Black in Latin America | PBS
Thanks for the links!
Really interesting information. I didn't know I have black roots! and I think most mexicans don't know. It's interesting that it's not a famous topic there. I think most people don't notice because the african traits are not so strong in most mexicans, so when we see darker mexicans we attribute that all to the indigenous roots. I didn't know about the black village in Mexico, I guess because it's a small rural area so there's no much information about it idk :/ .
I find very weird how in school they dont mention the mix with the black roots ( at least not that I can remember) they just mention the spanish and indigenious and the races the video mentions: criollos,mestizos, and slaves. They do little mention of amulatos and blacks, since almost all mexicans are considered mestizos.
Actually, I have been wondered for a looooong long time why I don't see africans in mexico! I just thought they didn't like it lol. And as they mention in the video, there is racism to darker mexicans but if you ask to a common mexican, they probaly won't admit it because racism sounds so much like Americans to other races, Mexican racism it's not famous but it exists.
They think blacks are the blacks of Africa or African Americans, they don't know about the African Mexican, so the prejudice is about the indigenous root I guess. In mexico there are still strong prejudices against indigenous people. They do exist(and we all mexicans have roots from them) but they live in small villages, like the one in the video, and by most mexicans, they are considered ignorant people.
Racism in mexico is a pretty "new" topic and most people are not aware of this. But it's true that there is sometimes some barrier between light and dark skinned mexicans, although, it's related to the economic class too. So if you see a dark poor homeless mexican in the street, that's the minority for Mexico :/. It's sad but it's true. Most mexicans should be aware of all of our roots.
Thank you very much amber, now I know im part black hehe